Publication: Factors contributing to fatal snake bite in the rural tropics: Analysis of 46 cases in Thailand
Issued Date
1988-11-01
Resource Type
ISSN
18783503
00359203
00359203
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0024152153
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.82, No.6 (1988), 930-934
Suggested Citation
Somchai Looareesuwan, Chaisin Viravan, David A. Warrell Factors contributing to fatal snake bite in the rural tropics: Analysis of 46 cases in Thailand. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.82, No.6 (1988), 930-934. doi:10.1016/0035-9203(88)90046-6 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/15555
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Title
Factors contributing to fatal snake bite in the rural tropics: Analysis of 46 cases in Thailand
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Abstract
Records of 46 cases of fatal bites by identified snakes from 15 provincial hospitals throughout Thailand contained sufficient information for detailed analysis. Bungarus Candidus and Calloselasma rhodostoma were each responsible for 13 deaths, Naja kaouthia for 12, Vipera russelli for 7 and B. fasciatus for one. Major causes of death among elapid victims were respiratory failure (26) and complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation (10), and among viper victims shock (12), intracranial haemorrhage (9), complications of local wound necrosis (7) including tetanus (2), and renal failure (2). Factors contributing to fatal outcome included inadequate dose of antiyenom (15 cases), misidentification of the snake leading to use of the wrong antivenom (12), problems associated with mechanical ventilation (10), and delayed arrival in hospital after traditional (herbal) treatment (10). Similar problems have been identified in other tropical countries. Education of medical staff and the patient population at highest risk could reduce snake bite mortality. © 1988 Oxford University Press.