Envenomation by a western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) – A report of three episodes in Switzerland. (October 2019)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Envenomation by a western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) – A report of three episodes in Switzerland. (October 2019)
- Main Title:
- Envenomation by a western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) – A report of three episodes in Switzerland
- Authors:
- Fuchs, Joan
Weiler, Stefan
Meier, Jürg - Abstract:
- Abstract: The African elapid snake genus Dendroaspis comprises four species, with D. polylepsis the most dangerous of them. D. viridis is believed to cause stronger neurotoxic symptoms than the potentially least toxic of the genus, D. angusticeps, but seems less toxic compared to either of the D. jamesoni species ( D. j. jamesoni (TRAILL 1843) and D. j. kaimosae (Loveridge 1936)). We present three episodes of bites by D. viridis in the same patient, sustained on three different occasions, caused by three different and unrelated snakes. While the first bite remained oligosymptomatic with a slight tightness of the throat and speedy resolution of symptoms without specific therapy, episodes two and three resulted in the patient developing massive local swelling. However, the patient showed only minimal neurologic and systemic symptoms such as tightness of the throat and a tingling sensation of the body. Episode two resolved with fasciotomy after compartment syndrome was diagnosed with a measured intracompartmental pressure of 52 mmHg. In episode three, antivenom was administered with good resolution of symptoms. The clinical courses in this patient were remarkable as he displayed mainly local symptoms after three individual bites by a supposedly neurotoxic snake. Highlights: Describes three episodes of human envenomation by the Western green Mamba Dendroaspis viridis . The patient developed only minimal neurologic, but severe local symptoms. Related species like D . polylepsisAbstract: The African elapid snake genus Dendroaspis comprises four species, with D. polylepsis the most dangerous of them. D. viridis is believed to cause stronger neurotoxic symptoms than the potentially least toxic of the genus, D. angusticeps, but seems less toxic compared to either of the D. jamesoni species ( D. j. jamesoni (TRAILL 1843) and D. j. kaimosae (Loveridge 1936)). We present three episodes of bites by D. viridis in the same patient, sustained on three different occasions, caused by three different and unrelated snakes. While the first bite remained oligosymptomatic with a slight tightness of the throat and speedy resolution of symptoms without specific therapy, episodes two and three resulted in the patient developing massive local swelling. However, the patient showed only minimal neurologic and systemic symptoms such as tightness of the throat and a tingling sensation of the body. Episode two resolved with fasciotomy after compartment syndrome was diagnosed with a measured intracompartmental pressure of 52 mmHg. In episode three, antivenom was administered with good resolution of symptoms. The clinical courses in this patient were remarkable as he displayed mainly local symptoms after three individual bites by a supposedly neurotoxic snake. Highlights: Describes three episodes of human envenomation by the Western green Mamba Dendroaspis viridis . The patient developed only minimal neurologic, but severe local symptoms. Related species like D . polylepsis can cause potentially fatal neurotoxicity. The patient recovered with fasciotomy and antivenom. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Toxicon. Volume 168(2019)
- Journal:
- Toxicon
- Issue:
- Volume 168(2019)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 168, Issue 2019 (2019)
- Year:
- 2019
- Volume:
- 168
- Issue:
- 2019
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2019-0168-2019-0000
- Page Start:
- 76
- Page End:
- 82
- Publication Date:
- 2019-10
- Subjects:
- Dendroaspis viridis -- Neurotoxic -- Local symptoms -- Fasciotomy -- Antivenom
Toxins -- Periodicals
Venom -- Periodicals
615.9 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00410101 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.223 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0041-0101
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 8873.050000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 11435.xml