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Russell's viper snakebite in Taiwan: differences from other Asian countries
Dong-Zong Hung1, Ming-Ling Wu, Jou-Fang Deng
1School of Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, National Taiwan University, No 1, Section 1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei City 100, Taiwan.
Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology
|September 11, 2002
Summary
Formosan Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis) bites in Taiwan cause severe symptoms like kidney failure and bleeding. Systemic thrombosis is a key feature, unlike neurotoxic effects seen elsewhere.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Toxicology
- Herpetology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Formosan Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis) envenoming is a significant medical concern in Taiwan.
- While Russell's viper venom is known for neurotoxic and hematoxic effects, specific clinical manifestations of Formosan subspecies bites are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze and describe the clinical features of systemic envenoming caused by Formosan Russell's viper bites.
- To identify distinguishing characteristics of Formosan Russell's viper snakebite compared to other subspecies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 18 cases of Formosan Russell's viper snakebite.
- Review of clinical data from patients treated between 1987 and 1999.
Main Results:
- Major symptoms included acute renal failure, incoagulable blood with bleeding diathesis, and hemolysis.
- Systemic thrombosis was identified as a distinguishing feature of Formosan Russell's viper envenoming.
- Absence of neuromuscular junction blocking effects was noted, contrasting with other Russell's viper subspecies.
Conclusions:
- Formosan Russell's viper bites present with significant hematological and renal complications.
- Systemic thrombosis and lack of neurotoxicity are key differentiators, indicating geographic variation in venom effects.
- These findings underscore the clinical importance of recognizing and managing Formosan Russell's viper snakebites in Taiwan.