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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
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Captive Maintenance and Venom Extraction of Tityus serrulatus (Brazilian Yellow Scorpion) for Antivenom Production
Published on: October 6, 2023
Beyond the venom: A retrospective look at bacterial infections in snakebite wounds
Ankita Mohanty1, Ramit Kundu1, Maanasa Bhaskar1
1Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Snakebite envenomation, a neglected tropical disease, often involves bacterial infections like Serratia marcescens. Early antibiotic strategies are crucial for managing snakebite complications and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Tropical Medicine
- Clinical Toxicology
Background:
- Snakebite envenomation is a significant global health issue, recognized as a Neglected Tropical Disease.
- The diversity of pathogens and complications necessitates accurate identification for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient demographics and clinical characteristics of snakebite cases.
- To identify the spectrum of pathogens involved in snakebite envenomation.
- To analyze antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolated pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient records from January 2019 to December 2024.
- Collection of data on demographics, clinical presentations, and microbiological findings.
- Assessment of antibiotic susceptibility for bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- The majority of snakebite victims were male (64%), with hemotoxic envenomation in 64% of cases.
- Bacterial growth was detected in 78% of wounds, with Serratia marcescens being the most common pathogen (24%).
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) affected 49% of patients; most isolates were susceptible to common antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Early and targeted antibiotic policies are essential for managing drug-resistant bacteria in snakebite cases.
- Effective pathogen identification and antibiotic stewardship can improve patient care and reduce secondary infections.
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