Envenoming by Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix)--case report

Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix) is the venomous snake of the Elapidae family which involves at least three species of Asian spitting cobras, according to the new taxonomy. This snake occurs naturally in southeastern Asia and in Poland it is kept only in the private breedings. Its venom mainly co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPrzeglad lekarski Vol. 61; no. 4; p. 421
Main Authors Ciszowski, Krzysztof, Hartwich, Artur
Format Journal Article
LanguagePolish
Published Poland 2004
Subjects
Adult
Amputation
Animals
Elapid Venoms - poisoning
Elapidae
Enterobacteriaceae Infections - etiology
Fingers - microbiology
Fingers - surgery
Hand Injuries - chemically induced
Hand Injuries - etiology
Hand Injuries - microbiology
Hand Injuries - pathology
Hand Injuries - surgery
Hand Injuries - therapy
Humans
Male
Morganella morganii
Necrosis
Poland
Snake Bites - complications
Snake Bites - therapy
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix) is the venomous snake of the Elapidae family which involves at least three species of Asian spitting cobras, according to the new taxonomy. This snake occurs naturally in southeastern Asia and in Poland it is kept only in the private breedings. Its venom mainly contains neurotoxins which have paralyzing activities to the nervous system and cardiotoxins which act cytolytically. The present study shows a case of the forty-one-year-old man professionally engaging in venomous reptiles who was bitten in his left ring finger by the Malayan cobra. No general symptoms, especially neurotoxic, were observed in the patient after the snake bite, but there was a significant local tissue injury including necrosis. In the bite site the infection with Morganella morganii developed with consequent phlegmon within the hand and the forearm. Additionally, features of haemolysis and injury of muscles with elevated level of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were present. The local injuries of tissues were treated surgically including the amputation of the bitten finger which has undergone the necrosis. No specific antivenom was used in the treatment.
ISSN:0033-2240