Ophitoxemia (Snakebite)

Ophitoxemia is generally poisoning by snake venom, from the Greek words “ophis” for snake and “toxon” for poison. It is a pathologic condition caused by the poisonous venom injected into the tissues by the fangs in certain snakes, which are followed by various toxic symptoms and signs.

• Snake venom: Venom is the saliva of a snake, ejected from the poison apparatus modified parotid gland during the act of biting. It can be neurotoxic, vasculotoxic, or myotoxic in its action.

• Appearance: Slight transparent yellow and viscous when fresh.
Toxic principles: Proteinous in nature, most of which are glycopolypeptides and are enzymatic in action. About 80-90% of viperidae and 25-70% of elapidae venom consists of enzymes.

For more information read FMT (Forensic Medicine and Toxicology) or in Ayurveda, Agad Tantra.

• Fibrinolysins • Neurotoxins (elapid venom)
• Proteolysins • Cholinesterase
• Hemolysins (viper venom) • Thromboplastin(viper venom)
• Agglutinins. • Cardiotoxins
• Coagulase • Hyaluronidase 
• Phospholipase. • Lecithinase

Fatal dose

Snake Fatal dose (dried form) • Cobra 15 mg
• King cobra 12 mg
• Common krait. 2.5-6 mg

• Banded krait 10 mg
• Russell’s Viper 40 mg
• Saw-scaled Viper 8 mg

➔ Fatal period: Death may occur immediately from shock due to fright.

• Cobra: 1⁄2-24 h.

• Viper: 1-4 days.

Effects of Ophitoxemia:

1. Local effects: Pain, swelling, bruising, and tissue necrosis at the site of the bite.
2. Systemic effects:
Hemotoxic effects: Bleeding disorders, low blood pressure, and damage to blood
vessels.ex- Russell’s viper.( Maximum pain= viper),viperidae venom.
Neurotoxic effects: Muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and other nervous system disruptions.ex- cobra.(Naja Naja),elapidae venom.
Myotoxic effects: Muscle damage and renal failure due to myoglobin À.ex- sea snake.

3. Allergic reactions: In some instances, the venom from snakes may cause anaphylaxis or other immune system-related disorders.

Test:

●  Whole blood clotting test, 20 min W.B.C T.
●  If the blood is coagulated the patient is bitten by vipride species ( viper)
●  If the blood is still uncogulated, the patient is bitten by Elapide species cobra.

Treatment:

➢ ASV – Anti Snake venom is advised in the moderate and severe category.
➢ First aid: Immobilize the limb, avoid suctioning venom, and seek immediate medical care.
➢ Antivenom is considered the main treatment for ophitoxemia, which is specific for the type of snake.
➢  Supportive care: Pain management, wound care, and treatment of complications like infection or organ failure.

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