Venom detection kits in the management of snakebite in Central Province, Papua New Guinea

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 703 - 705
• Main Authors: Trevett, A.J., Lalloo, D.G., Nwokolo, N.C., Theakston, R.D.G., Naraqi, S., Warrell, D.A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1995; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animal poisons toxicology. Antivenoms; Antivenins - economics; Biological and medical sciences; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Medical sciences; New Guinea - epidemiology; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Serpentes; Snake Bites - diagnosis; Snake Bites - epidemiology; Snake Bites - therapy; Snake Venoms - analysis; Toxicology; Papua New Guinea; Melanesia; Oceania; New Guinea; Human; Vertebrata; Venom; Bite; Animal origin; Reptilia; Qualitative analysis; Diagnosis; Detection; Ophidia
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(94)00179-C

The bites of six species of venomous elapid snakes in Central Province Papua New Guinea produce similar clinical syndromes. Optimal management of envenomed patients involves the use of monospecific antivenom. In this study, Venom Detection Kits (VDKs) (CSL Diagnostics, Melbourne) were used to try to make a specific diagnosis in envenomed patients at their admission. VDKs detected venom in admission bite site swabs from 39 of 46 patients (85%). Thirty-eight of these patients were shown to have been bitten by taipans. In all cases where venom was detected by the VDK, this correlated with subsequent laboratory enzyme immunoassay results. Selective use of VDKs in Central Province could allow more widespread use of monospecific antivenoms and produce considerable financial savings.