ENVENOMATION Flashcards
Snakebite envonoming is a …… disease
Neglected tropical disease
Snakebite envenomation is a ————- medical emergency
Life threatening
Which regions of the world experience snakebites the most
Tropical and Subtropical
Vast majority of deaths due to snakebites occur in ………
Sub Saharan Africa and south east Asia
Country with the highest snakebite mortality
India
Why do children suffer more severe effects from snakebites than adults
Due to their smaller body mass
Why do children suffer more severe effects from snakebites than adults
Due to their smaller body mass
Epidemiology of snakebites
Males are bitten more than females
Agricultural workers and children are most affected
Elderly are at a greater risk of mortality
Number of snake species considered venomous
600 out of the 3500 species
Classification of snakes to their suborder
Class Reptilian
Order Squamata
Suborder Serpentes
Venomous snakes are in ——- families
Five
Largest and second largest venomous snake families
Viperidae and Elapidae
Five families of venomous snakes
Colubridae
Atractaspididae
Elapidae
Viperdae- Viperinae
Crotalidae
Examples of Colubridae
Boomslang
Bird snake
Examples of atractaspididae
Burrowing asps
Examples of elapidae
Cobras, kraits, coral snakes , mambas, death adder, tiger snake, most Australian snakes
Examples of Hydrophiidae
Hydrophiidae are in the family Elapidae
Examples are Sea snakes and Sea kraits
Examples of Viperinae ( True/Pitless vipers)
Vipers
Adders
Asps
Examples of Crotalidae or pit vipers
Rattlesnakes
Bushmaster
Copperhead
Types of snake fangs
fangless (aglyphous),
rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous),
front fanged and fixed maxilla (proteroglyphous),
Front fanged and mobile maxilla (solenoglyphous)
Anatomical classifications of snakes based on fangs
Colubridae- Opisthoglyphous
Elapidae- Proteroglyphous
Viperidae- Solenoglyphous
Atractaspididae- All types of fangs
Which family of snakes contain species capable of spraying their venom
Elapidae
Two examples of cobras
Common cobra- Naja naja
King cobra- Ophiophagus hannah
Examples of kraits
Common krait: Bangarus caeruleus
Banded krait: Bangarus fasciatus
Most venomous snake based on the murine LD50
Western or Inland taipan from the family Elapidae
Examples of true cobras (Najas)
Common cobra - Naja naja
Black necked spitting cobra- Naja nigricollis
Egyptian cobra- Naja heje
Key identification feature of the common cobra
Well marked hood
Monocellate or Binocellate spectacle mark
Key identification feature of the common krait
Paired white bands
Two examples of mambas
Green mamba - Dendroaspis angusticeps
Black mamba - Dendroaspis polyplepis
Features of pit vipers
Pit between eye and nostril
Flat triangular shaped head
Vertical pupils
Curved fangs
Examples of true or pitless vipers
Russell’s Viper - Daboia russelii
African saw scaled viper or carpet viper - Echis ocellatus
African puff adder - Bitis arietans
Examples of pit vipers /Crotalidae
Rattlesnakes
Cottonmouth or Water moccasin
Copperhead
Bushmaster
Key identification feature of the Russell’s viper
Black edged almond or chain shaped marks on the back
Examples of rattlesnakes
Sidewinder
Diamondback
Key venomous snakes in Ghana
West African saw scaled / carpet viper - Echis ocellatus
Puff adders- Bitis arietans
Black necked spitting cobra- Naja nigricolis
Senegales cobra - Naja senegalensis
Western green mamba -Dendroaspis viridis
Identification features of venous and nonvenomous snakes
Venomous
Triangular head or arrowhead head
Elliptical pupil
Fangs
Single row of subcaudal anal plates
Harmless
Oval head or egg shaped head
Round pupil
Double row of subcaudal anal plates
Difference between poison and venom
Venom must be injected into the body by mechanical means however poisons must be ingested inhaled or absorbed
Venoms are generally nontoxic if swallowed
Functions of snake venom
Prey immobilization
Assist in or start the digestive process
Self defense
Causes of difference in snake venom composition
Geographical distribution
Seasons of the year
Age or ontogenic variation
Two main classes of snake venoms
Proteins and Peptides
Non enzyme and Enzymes
Non proteinaceous components
Effect of 3FTX neurotoxin
Selective inhibition of nAchR
Effect of 3FTX cardiotoxin
Membrane perturbation by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with the cell membranes
Effect of Disintegrin peptide components
Inhibit platelet aggregation
.
Effect of kurnitz type inhibitors
Inhibition of serine proteases (e.g., plasmin, kallikrein, trypsin).
Interferes with the blood coagulation cascade and fibrinolysis
Effect of natriuretic peptide components
Vasodilation
Hypotension
Increase NO production
Cardiprotective action
Effect of BPP( Bradykinin potentiating peptides) protein components
Inhibit the function of ACE and raise the level of bradykinin.
Hypotension
Effects of Crotamine peptide components
Interacts electrostatically with DNA.
Penetrates membranes via heparan sulphate proteoglycans binding.
Effects of safarotoxin
Vasoconstriction via endothelin receptors
Effect of waglerin
nAChR antagonist.
Effect of CRISPs
Inhibit high K induced contraction
Effects of PLA2
Hypotension
Vasorelaxation
Antiatgetogenic activity
Effects of 3FTXs
Hopotension
Vasorelaxation
Inhibition of platelet aggregation
Effect of fibrinolytic enzymes
Inhibit platelet aggregation
Fibrinolytic activity
Which snakes produce neurotoxic venoms
Elapidae- cobras, kraits, coral snake
Hydrophiidae
Small Bitis vipers
Russell’s viper
Which snakes produce cytotoxic venoms
Black necked spitting cobra
Bothrops asper
Saw scaled/ Carpet viper
Snakes that produce haemotoxic venoms
Viperidae, spitting cobra, certain Colubridae
Snakes that produce myotoxic venoms
Hydrophiidae
Snakes that can produce venoms with combined toxicities
Spitting cobra
Saw scaled or carpet viper
Signs of neurotoxic venoms
Descending muscular paralysis
Predominant neurotoxic toxins
PLA2
3FTX
Sign of cytotoxic venoms
Swelling at the bite site which can develop into blistering and bruising and hypovolaemic shock
Predominant cytotoxic toxins
Hydrolytic enzymes eg: Snake Venom Metalloproteinases (SVMPs)
PLA2s
Non enzymatic cytotoxic 3FTs
Signs of myotoxic envenoming
Negligible local swelling
Myalgia
Associated features of neurotoxic venoms and progressive descending paralysis
Rhabdonyolysis and renal failure
Examples of myotoxic toxins
Myotoxic single chain peptides (42-44amino acid residues)
Myotoxic PLA2s
Signs of haemotoxic venoms
Cardiovascular effects- Hypotension leading to shock
Haemostatic effects- local and systemic hemorrhage
What is VICC
Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is a disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)-likesyndrome, characterized by low or undetectable levels of fibrinogen, resulting in incoagulable blood
Examples of haemotoxic venoms
Snake venom serine proteases
Snake venom metalloproteinases
Bradykinin potentiating peptides
C-type lectins
PLA2
Disintegrins
Factor Va toxin
Factor Xa toxin
Kurnitz type serine protease inhibitors
Factors determining risk of the human envenomation by different snakes
Venom toxicity/potency
Size of snake
Effectives of the bite
Innate aggressiveness of snake
Likelihood of human contact
Clinical features of snake bites
Increasing Local pain at site
Local swelling that extends oroximall
Tender painful enlargement of regional lumpen nodes
Examples of snakes with painless bites
Kraits
Sea snakes
Local signs and symptoms at the site of a snake bite
Fung marks *
Local pain
Local bleeding *
Brushing
Lymphangitis *
Lymph node enlargement
Inflammation
Blistering *
Local infection
Abscess formation
Necrosis
Systemic signs of snake bites
Malaise
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Weakness
Drowsiness
Prostration
Cardiovascular signs of snake bites
Hypotension
Shock , Blurred vision , Syncope, Dizziness, Collapse
Pulmonary edema
Cardiac arrhythmias
Cardiac arrest
Bleeding and clotting disorders associated with snake bites
Bleeding from recent wounds and partly healed wounds
Spontaneous systemic bleeding
Signs of spontaneous systemic bleeding in snakebites
Bleeding from gums
Epixtasis
Haemoptysis
Haematemesis
Rectal bleeding
Meleana
Haematuria
Vaginal bleeding
Bleeding into skin and mucosal
Intracranial hemorrhage
Antepartum haemorrhage
Examples of skin bleeding
Purpura
Petechiae
Ecchymoses
Signs of neurological snake venoms
Drowsiness
Paraesthesiae
Abnormalities of taste and smell
Heavy eyelids
Progressive descending paralysis
Which venoms cause broken neck sign and respiratory or flaccid paralysis
Neurotoxic venoms
Signs of skeletal muscle breakdown in snake envenoming
Généralised pain
Stiffness and tenderness of muscles
Lock jaw or trismus
Myoglobinuria
Hyperkalemia
Cardiac arrest
Which snakes produce venoms that cause skeletal muscle breakdown
Sea snakes
Russell’s viper
Signs or renal failure in snake envenoming
Loi or lower back pain
Haematuria
Haemoglobinuria
Myoglobinuria
Oliguria/Anuria
Uraemia signs and symptoms
Examples of snakes that release venoms that cause renal failure
Viperidae
Sea snakes
Signs and symptoms of uraemia
Acidotic breathing
Hiccups
Nausea
Pleuritic chest pain
Four initial questions in assessing snake bites
Which part of body was bitten
When were you bitten
Where is the snake that but you or what did it look like
How are you feeling now
Parameters to be examined
Tooth marks
Local signs
Bleeding
Shock
Neurotoxicity or paralysis
Earliest signs of snake envenoming
Local swelling , enlargement and tenderness of regional lymph nodes
First site of spontaneous systemic bleeding in snake envenoming
Gums (Gingival sulci)
Snake responsible for most deaths in northern Ghana
Echis ocellatus
Earliest symptoms of neurotoxity or paralysis in snake envenoming
Blurred vision
Heaviness of the eyelids
Apparent drowsiness
Contracted frontalis muscle
Haematological investigations in snake envenoming
FBC
Neutrophil leukocytosis
Thrombocytopenia
20WBCT
PT as INT or activated Partial Thromboplastin Test (aPTT)
Which snakes cause thrombocytopenia
Vipers
Colubrids
How is 20WBCT performed
Leave 2-5 ml of blood in dried test tube
Failure to clot after 20 minutes implies incoagulable blood
Biochemistry investigations in snake envenoming
BUE and Creatinine - renal dysfunction and acid base imbalance
LFT- increased bile
Serum electrolytes : CK, AST - muscle damage
Other investigations
Urine examination
Arterial oxygen saturation
ECG
Chest radiography
Duration to death for snake bites
Hours for Elapidae bites
Days for Viper bites
Contraindicated potentially harmful treatments in snake envenoming
Torniquet
Wash, rub, massage, tamper with bite wound
Suction of bite site
Incision of bite site
Cryotherapy
Electric shock
Excision of bite site
Cauterization
Instillation of chemicals like KMnO4
Thé Do it RIGHT mnemonic of snake envenoming first aid
R- Reassure patient
I- Immobilize
GH- Get to Hospital
T - Tell
Early Treatment of local pain
Oral paracetamol
Opiates for sever pain
Why are NSAIDS avoided in snake envenoming
Avoid NSAIDS due to risk of gastric bleeding in pts with incoagulable blood
Early treatment of vomiting
Lay patient in recovery position( on left side), head down to avoid aspiration
IM Chlorpromazine 25-50mg in adults, 1mg/kg in children
OR
IM Prochlorperazine 12.5mg in adults
What drug is used for mild sedation in snake envenoming
Diazepam oral 5-10mg stat
Treatment of pain in snake envenoming
Paracetamol oral
Morphine IV/IM/SC
Dose for polyvalent anti-snake serum
50-100ml (5-10ampoules)
by IV drip in 0.9%N/S or 5%Dextrose over 2-4 hours
Treatment for hypovolaemic shock in snake envenoming
Crystalloids
Colloids
Blood
Treatments for defects of hémostasis in snake envenoming
Clotting factors
Fresh frozen plasma
Platelets
Treatments for respiratory distress in snake envenoming
Oxygen
Intubate
Ventilate
Indication for antivenin in snake envenoming
Presence of symptoms and signs of systemic or severe local manifestations of envenomation
Complications of antivenin use
Anaphylaxis
Pyrogenic reactions
Later immune complex disease ( Serum sickness)
Storage of liquid antivenin
Stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius and not frozen
Animals used in producing antivenins
Horses
Donkeys
Sheep
Which has a longer shelf life, lyophiliséd or liquid antivenin
Lyophilised has a longer shelf life but is more expensive
Types of antivenom
Monovalent or Monospecific
Polyvalent or Polyspecific
Disadvantages of polyvalent antivenin
Larger doses required
Higher risk of adverse reactions
Increased cost of treatment
Advantages of polyvalent antivenom
Neutralisons antibodies agains a wider pool of antigens
No need to identity snake that has bitten the patient
Disadvantage of monospecific antivenom
Limited cross efficacy, often restricted to snake genus
Why do children and adults require same dose of antivenom
Antivenom neutralizes a fixed amount of venom
Patients with increase risk of severe actions to antivenom
Atopic history ( severe asthma, hay fever etc)
History of reactions to equine antisera(anti-tetanus serum)
Pretreatment for diminishing reaction to antivenom
Subcutaneous adrenaline and IV antihistamine and hydrocortisone
Why are tests with diluted antivenom not predictive of anaphylaxis or late serum sickness reactions
Large majority of antivenom reactions are not IgE based Type 1 hypersensitivity reactions but rather due to direct complement activation by aggregates of IgG or its fragments
Antivenom is best given IV, why is IM not ideal
Absorption is very slow
How is antivenom given
IV injection at a rate of about 5ml/min
Or
Diluted in isotonic fluid and infused over 30-60min
Response to antivenom treatment on the various systemic and local effects of snake envenoming
Neurotoxic signs - change slowly after several hours
Cytotoxic - limit further damage but not reverse damage
Cardiovascular effects - respond within 10-20min
Spontaneous bleeding - stops within 15-30 min
Blood coagulability - restored within 6 hours
If blood is still incoagulable 6hours after the first dose of antivenom, what should be done
Repeat dose and so on every 6h until blood coaguability is restored
Which brand of antivenom is a solution
ASNA Antivenom C and
ASNA Antivenom D
Symptoms of early antivenom reactions
Cough
Tachycardia
Itching
Urticaria
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Symptoms of systemic anaphylaxis
Hypotension
Bronchospasm
Angioedema
Treatment of early antivenom reactions
Adrenaline 0.5-1ml for adults, 0.01mg/kg for children
Followed by IV H1 antagonist
Dose for IV H1 antagonists in treating early antivenom reaction
Chlorphenamine - 10mg for adults. 0.2mg/kg for children
Promethazine - 25mg IM in adults
Signs of pyrogenic reactions to snake antivenom
Chill
Cutaneous vasoconstriction
Gooseflesh and shivering
Myalgia
Headache
Tachycardia
Fever
Intense vasodilation and hypotension
Febrile convulsions in children
Treatment for pyrogenic reactions to snake antiserum
Reduce temperature by fanning, tepid spongin and antipyretics
IV adrenaline for severe cases with hypotension
Symptoms of late reactions ( serum sickness) to snake antivenom
Itching
Urticaria
Lymphadenopathy
Arthralgia
Periarticular swellings
Proteinuria
Neurological symptoms
Treatment of serum sickness
Antihistamine Chlorphenamine 2mg/6h adult 0.25mg/kg/day in divided doses for children: 5 days
Prednisolone for severe cases and failure of antihistamines within 24 hours
Timelines for the different reactions to snake antivenom
Early and anaphylactic reactions - 3-60min
Pyrogenic reactions - 1-2 hours
Late reactions or serum sickness- 5-24 hours, averagely 7 hours
Antibiotic prophylaxis in local envenoming
Amoxicillin/ Clavulanate
Treatment of coagulopathy if not reversed by ASV therapy
Fresh frozen plasma
Cryoprecipitate ( Fibrinogen, Factor VIII)
Fresh whole blood
Platelet concentrate
Treatment of bulbar paralysis and respiratory failure in snake envenoming
Tracheotomy
Endotracheal intubation
Mechanical ventilation
IV Neostigmine 50-100mcg/kg/4hours infusion
Glycopyrrolate 0.25mg before neostigmine in place of atropine
Which snakes cause snake venom ophthalmia
Spitting elapid species
Taxonomy of order Hymenoptera
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Hymenoptera
The three families under Hymenoptera
Vespidae ( True Wasps)
Apidea (bees)
Formicidae(Wasps)
Subfamily and family of genus solenopsis (fire ants)
Subfamily - Myrmicinae
Family- Formicidae
Examples of insects in subfamily aspinae
Honeybees
Bumblebees
Genus of honeybees
Genus apis
Insects under subfamily Vespinae
Hornet
Yellowjackets
Which insects causes most all allergic reactions
Vespids
Difference between apids and vespids in relation to stinging
Female apids sting once
Vespids sting multiple times, both males and females
Composition of Vespids venoms
Proteins
PLA
Hyaluronidase
Acid Phosphatase
Antigen 5
Peptides
Mast cell degranulating peptide
Kinins
Components of Formicids venoms
Proteins
PLA
Hyaluronidase
Unidentified third protein
Alkaloids
Piperidiones
Components of Aphid venom
Proteins
PLA
Hyaluronidase
Acid Phosphatase
Peptides
Melittin
Apamin
Mast cell degranulating peptide
Effects of melittin
Pain
Destruction of tissues
Basophils and mast cell degranulation
Which insect mostly causes local infections from its stings
Yellow jacket
Management of airway in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
High flow oxygen
Treatment of hypotension in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
Lactated ringers
Treatment of severe shock in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
SC epinephrine 0.01mg/kg (0.3mg in adults
IV epinephrine 0.1mg
Antihistamines used in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
IV diphenhydramine 1mg/kg (50mg in adults )
IV cimetidine 300mg in adults
IV steroids (100-250’mg hydrocortisone or methyl prednisolone)
Treatment of wheezing in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
Orciprenaline 0.3cc or
Salbutamol 2.5cc in 3cc NS
Management of hypotension despite IV fluids in anaphylactic reactions due to Hymenoptera
IV dopamine or Epinephrine drip
If sting site of insect is red and swollen but mainly pruritic
Treat with oral antihistamines
If sting site is red and swollen but mainly painful
Treat with oral antibiotic
If sting site is red and swollen and pruritic and painful
Treat with oral antibiotic and antihistamines