A clinical study of viper bite poisoning

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Toxicology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Snakebite envenoming is a significant public health issue in the Benue Valley, Nigeria.
• Carpet viper (Echis carinatus) bites are particularly prevalent and dangerous in this region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical presentation and outcomes of snakebite cases in the Benue Valley.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of existing antivenom treatments.
• To identify the species responsible for snakebites using diagnostic assays.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 31 consecutive snakebite cases.
• Clinical data collection on patient outcomes, including fatalities and complications.
• Species identification using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

• Echis carinatus accounted for 26 cases, Causus maculatus for three, and Bitis arietans for two.
• Two fatalities occurred due to delayed admission after E. carinatus envenoming.
• Failures and slow responses to standard antivenom treatment were observed, indicating a need for more effective Echis antivenom.

Conclusions:

• Echis carinatus envenoming poses a severe threat in the Benue Valley, with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Current antivenom efficacy is questionable, necessitating the development of a more potent Echis antivenom for West Africa.
• ELISA is a valuable tool for accurate snake species identification in clinical settings.