Deaths from snake bite in Australia, 1981–1991

Sutherland, Struan K.

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1992.tb141272.x

Cited by 82 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…This was believed to be due to administration of intravenous adrenaline, resulting in transient hypertension leading to the cerebral haemorrhage. The adrenaline had been provided for various reasons including suspicion of anaphylactic shock, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and premedication during management of the envenomation 12 . Adrenaline was not used in this dog.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Ong¹,

Lenard²,

Swindells³

et al. 2009

Aust Veterinary J

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A 4-year-old Siberian Husky dog was treated with brown snake antivenom by his regular veterinarian after a witnessed episode of brown snake envenomation. The dog was discharged 5 hours post presentation despite an ongoing coagulopathy. The dog was presented to the emergency centre 2 hours later because the owner believed the dog to be in pain. Initial examination revealed an ambulatory but neurologically normal patient with thoracolumbar pain and laboratory evidence of a coagulopathy. Despite correction of the coagulopathy, the signs progressed to bilateral hind limb paresis after approximately 3 hours of hospitalisation, and continued to deteriorate over the next 56 hours to loss of deep pain perception in the right hind limb. Computed tomography imaging identified the presence of an extradural haematoma which was subsequently removed via a hemilaminectomy. Surgical decompression was successful in treating the spinal compression and the dog recovered with minimal complications. To our knowledge this is the first report of extradural haematoma secondary to coagulopathy induced by brown snake envenomation.Keywords brown snake; envenomation; coagulopathy; dog; elapid; extradural haematoma; Pseudonaja Abbreviations ACT, activated clotting time; CT, computed tomography; CTM, computed tomography with myelography; FFP, fresh frozen plasma; L2, second lumbar vertebra; L3, third lumbar vertebra; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging Envenomation is common in the warmer months and is typically associated with lower motor neuron paresis or paralysis and evidence of a coagulopathy without significant muscle damage.To our knowledge a confirmed case of compressive spinal disease in the dog has not been reported as a complication of brown snake envenomation. This case report describes the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of a dog that developed hind limb paralysis secondary to extradural haematoma formation following brown snake envenomation.A 4-year-old, male neutered Siberian Husky dog was presented to his local veterinarian after his owner observed him being bitten by a snake. The history detailed collapse followed by apparent recovery, approximately 10 minutes post envenomation (Figure 1), however ongoing hind limb weakness prompted presentation to the local veterinary practice. On presentation, examination revealed hindlimb paresis, ataxia and a marked coagulopathy with an activated clotting time (ACT) of greater than 300 s (normal < 120 s). Brown snake envenomation was confirmed on a urine sample using a snake venom detection kit test (CSL Ltd, Australia) and subsequent visual identification of the snake. Gross pigmenturia was also noted in the voided urine sample. Treatment was commenced with 500 U of brown snake antivenom (CSL Ltd, Australia) after premedication with 3 mg dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Troy Laboratories, Australia). Two and 4 h after antivenom administration, ACT was still greater than 300 s however the ataxia and hind limb weakness had resolved. No further antivenom was administered. Despite the ongo...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Ong¹,

Lenard²,

Swindells³

et al. 2009

Aust Veterinary J

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“…Due to habitat destruction and consequential decrease in species population levels, death adder envenomations are a rare occurrence in Australia, although these are still a significant health problem in Papua New Guinea (Currie et al ., 1991; Sutherland, 1992; Lalloo et al ., 1995; 1996). CSL death adder antivenom is indicated for use in envenomation by any death adder species (AMH, 1998; White, 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation and pharmacological characterization of a phospholipase A₂ myotoxin from the venom of the Irian Jayan death adder (Acanthophis rugosus)

Wickramaratna

Fry

Aguilar

et al. 2003

British J Pharmacology

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1 It has long been thought that death adder venoms are devoid of myotoxic activity based on studies done on Acanthophis antarcticus (Common death adder) venom. However, a recent clinical study reported rhabdomyolysis in patients following death adder envenomations, in Papua New Guinea, by a species thought to be di erent to A. antarcticus. Consequently, the present study examined A. rugosus (Irian Jayan death adder) venom for myotoxicity, and isolated the ®rst myotoxin (acanmyotoxin-1) from a death adder venom. 2 A. rugosus (10 ± 50 mg ml 71 ) and acanmyotoxin-1 (MW 13811; 0.1 ± 1 mM) were screened for myotoxicity using the chick directly (0.1 Hz, 2 ms, supramaximal V) stimulated biventer cervicis nerve-muscle (CBCNM) preparation. A signi®cant contracture of skeletal muscle and/or inhibition of direct twitches were considered signs of myotoxicity. This was con®rmed by histological examination. 3 High phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activity was detected in both A. rugosus venom (140.2+10.4 mmol min 71 mg 71 ; n=6) and acanmyotoxin-1 (153.4+11 mmol min 71 mg 71 ; n=6). Both A. rugosus venom (10 ± 50 mg ml 71 ) and acanmyotoxin-1 (0.1 ± 1 mM) caused dose-dependent inhibition of direct twitches and increase in baseline tension (n=4 ± 6). In addition, dose-dependent morphological changes in skeletal muscle were observed. 4 Prior incubation (10 min) of CSL death adder antivenom (5 units ml 71 ; n=4) or inactivation of PLA 2 activity with 4-bromophenacyl bromide (1.8 mM; n=4) prevented the myotoxicity caused by acanmyotoxin-1 (1 mM). 5 Acanmyotoxin-1 (0.1 mM; n=4) displayed no signi®cant neurotoxicity when it was examined using the indirectly (0.1 Hz, 0.2 ms, supramaximal V) stimulated CBCNM preparation. 6 In conclusion, clinicians may need to be mindful of possible myotoxicity following death adder envenomation in Irian Jaya.

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“…Death adder envenomations are a rare occurrence in Australia, but remain a significant health problem in Papua New Guinea 11–13. Clinical symptoms of envenomation by Acanthophis spp.…”

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confidence: 99%

Electrospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry fingerprinting of Acanthophis (death adder) venoms: taxonomic and toxinological implications

Fry

Wickramaratna

Hodgson

et al. 2002

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Death adders (genus Acanthophis) are unique among elapid snakes in both morphology and venom composition. Despite this genus being among the most divergent of all elapids, the venom has been historically regarded as relatively quite simple. In this study, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis has revealed a much greater diversity in venom composition, including the presence of molecules of novel molecular weights that may represent a new class of venom component. Furthermore, significant variation exists between species and populations, which allow for the LC/MS fingerprinting of each species. Mass profiling of Acanthophis venoms clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique which underpins fundamental studies ranging from chemotaxonomy to drug design.

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Deaths from snake bite in Australia, 1981–1991

Cited by 82 publications

References 28 publications

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Isolation and pharmacological characterization of a phospholipase A₂ myotoxin from the venom of the Irian Jayan death adder (Acanthophis rugosus)

Electrospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry fingerprinting of Acanthophis (death adder) venoms: taxonomic and toxinological implications

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Deaths from snake bite in Australia, 1981–1991

Cited by 82 publications

References 28 publications

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

Isolation and pharmacological characterization of a phospholipase A2 myotoxin from the venom of the Irian Jayan death adder (Acanthophis rugosus)

Electrospray liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry fingerprinting of Acanthophis (death adder) venoms: taxonomic and toxinological implications

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Isolation and pharmacological characterization of a phospholipase A₂ myotoxin from the venom of the Irian Jayan death adder (Acanthophis rugosus)