[Envenomation by Echis Carinatus in Africa: clinical study and evolution. Indications for antivenins]

In North Cameroon, venom inoculations by Echis Carinatus are frequent and severe and thus pose a serious problem at Public Health Services. 48 bites without antivenomous serum injection have been considered in Garoua, Benoue valley North Cameroon. Without antivenomous serum light inoculations heal spontaneous by in a couple of days about 20% of the average clinical forms are evoluting insidiously to severe globulolysis. The great majority of severe inoculations lead to dreadful hemorrhagic threatening the life of patients. New borns and infants are particularly exposed, it is not advisable to inject systematically antivenomous serum. But it has to be considered as compulsory in the three following clinical situations before 11 years of age, venom inoculation often brings about fast aggravation, mainly in new borns, after 11 years and at adult age, when clinical signs are of great concern, when hemoglobinometry indicates less than 9 gr/100 ml after 48 hours of evolution in youngs and adults, but without any symptom of severity.