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Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) bites
David L Morgan1, Douglas J Borys, Rhandi Stanford
1Central Texas Poison Center, the Department of Emergency Medicine, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M System Health Science Center, Temple, TX 76508, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 3, 2007
Summary
Texas coral snakebites (Micrurus tener) typically cause local symptoms like swelling and pain, with few severe systemic effects. Antivenin is often unnecessary, and pain management with opioids is safe for these snakebite victims.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Herpetology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Clinical features of Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) bites are not well-documented.
- Limited research exists on the characteristics, effects, and outcomes of Micrurus tener envenomation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the largest cohort of Texas coral snakebite victims.
- To characterize patient demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of Micrurus tener exposures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis.
- Data collected from the Texas Poison Center Network between 2000 and 2004.
- Inclusion of 82 patients with Micrurus tener exposures.
Main Results:
- Most patients (57.3%) were adult men (18-49 years old).
- Nearly 90% experienced local symptoms (swelling, pain, erythema, paresthesias).
- Only 7.3% had systemic effects, none severe; no fatalities or need for mechanical ventilation occurred.
Conclusions:
- Texas coral snakebites present with more local findings and fewer severe systemic effects than previously reported.
- Coral snake antivenin is not indicated for the majority of patients.
- Opioid administration for pain management in Micrurus tener bites is considered safe.
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