[i]Vipera berus[/i] bites in Eastern Poland – a retrospective analysis of 15 case studies
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2012, Vol 19, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction and objective: The common European adder ([i]Vipera berus[/i]) is the only venomous snake that is found naturally in Poland. This study presents the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of [i]V.berus[/i] bites in Eastern Poland and describes the methods of poisoning treatment.Materials and methods: Medical documentation of 15 patients hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University of Bialystok between 1998-2010 because of [i]V.berus[/i] bite was analyzed retrospectively.Results: Most of the snakebites were accidental (86.7% of the cases). The bites usually took place in forests (66.7% of the cases). The majority of patients were bitten in the lower extremity (8 cases, 53.3%), most often in the area of ankle joint. The severity of poisoning was usually minor to moderate. The most common local symptom was oedema (93.3% of the cases) and associated extravasations (73.3% of the cases). One patient experienced shock. Transient hypertension was observed in 3 cases. Mild coagulation disorders were present in 4 cases. In 4 cases, leukocytosis was observed. 86.7% of patients received the specific antivenom. No fatal outcome and no adverse reactions after antivenom administration were reported. Conclusions: In the majority cases of poisoning with [i]V.berus[/i] venom, the poisoning takes a mild course, limited to local oedema, but sometimes it may lead to severe complications. The only specific method of the treatment is antivenom administration.
Authors and Affiliations
Adam Garkowski, Piotr Czupryna, Agata Zajkowska, Sławomir Pancewicz, Anna Moniuszko, Maciej Kondrusik, Sambor Grygorczuk, Paweł Gołębicki, Michał Letmanowski, Joanna Zajkowska
Keywords
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