Abstract
Study objective: To report the effectiveness of a new polyvalent crotalid antivenom on neurotoxicity associated with North American rattlesnake envenomation. Two syndromes of crotalid-induced neurotoxicity have been reported. In severe envenomation by Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), weakness and fasciculations of various muscle groups, including those innervated by cranial nerves, may develop. Occasionally respiratory insufficiency develops. The second neurotoxic effect is myokymia, a type of fasciculation most frequently reported after bites by Crotalus horridus horridus (timber rattlesnake) and Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake). Conventional polyvalent antivenom is often ineffective in the treatment of venom-induced neurotoxicity. Methods: We report a case series of three patients envenomated by North American rattlesnakes, one of which was identified as C scutulatus scutulatus. All three patients experienced neurotoxicity with weakness, paresthesias, and dramatic fasciculations, along with other signs and symptoms of crotalid venom poisoning. Results: The administration of a new polyspecific crotalid antivenom made of ovine Fab was successful in immediately and completely reversing neurotoxicity in each of these patients Conclusion: We report the use of a new antivenom for North American crotalid envenomation that seems to have efficacy in reversing neurotoxicity associated with these bites.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 54-57 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Annals of Emergency Medicine |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine
Cite this
Successful treatment of crotalid-induced neurotoxicity with a new polyspecific crotalid Fab antivenom. / Clark, R. F.; Williams, S. R.; Nordt, S. P.; Boyer, Leslie V.
In: Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 30, No. 1, 1997, p. 54-57.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Successful treatment of crotalid-induced neurotoxicity with a new polyspecific crotalid Fab antivenom
AU - Clark, R. F.
AU - Williams, S. R.
AU - Nordt, S. P.
AU - Boyer, Leslie V
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Study objective: To report the effectiveness of a new polyvalent crotalid antivenom on neurotoxicity associated with North American rattlesnake envenomation. Two syndromes of crotalid-induced neurotoxicity have been reported. In severe envenomation by Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), weakness and fasciculations of various muscle groups, including those innervated by cranial nerves, may develop. Occasionally respiratory insufficiency develops. The second neurotoxic effect is myokymia, a type of fasciculation most frequently reported after bites by Crotalus horridus horridus (timber rattlesnake) and Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake). Conventional polyvalent antivenom is often ineffective in the treatment of venom-induced neurotoxicity. Methods: We report a case series of three patients envenomated by North American rattlesnakes, one of which was identified as C scutulatus scutulatus. All three patients experienced neurotoxicity with weakness, paresthesias, and dramatic fasciculations, along with other signs and symptoms of crotalid venom poisoning. Results: The administration of a new polyspecific crotalid antivenom made of ovine Fab was successful in immediately and completely reversing neurotoxicity in each of these patients Conclusion: We report the use of a new antivenom for North American crotalid envenomation that seems to have efficacy in reversing neurotoxicity associated with these bites.
AB - Study objective: To report the effectiveness of a new polyvalent crotalid antivenom on neurotoxicity associated with North American rattlesnake envenomation. Two syndromes of crotalid-induced neurotoxicity have been reported. In severe envenomation by Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), weakness and fasciculations of various muscle groups, including those innervated by cranial nerves, may develop. Occasionally respiratory insufficiency develops. The second neurotoxic effect is myokymia, a type of fasciculation most frequently reported after bites by Crotalus horridus horridus (timber rattlesnake) and Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake). Conventional polyvalent antivenom is often ineffective in the treatment of venom-induced neurotoxicity. Methods: We report a case series of three patients envenomated by North American rattlesnakes, one of which was identified as C scutulatus scutulatus. All three patients experienced neurotoxicity with weakness, paresthesias, and dramatic fasciculations, along with other signs and symptoms of crotalid venom poisoning. Results: The administration of a new polyspecific crotalid antivenom made of ovine Fab was successful in immediately and completely reversing neurotoxicity in each of these patients Conclusion: We report the use of a new antivenom for North American crotalid envenomation that seems to have efficacy in reversing neurotoxicity associated with these bites.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030793205&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0030793205&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0196-0644(97)70111-2
DO - 10.1016/S0196-0644(97)70111-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 9209226
AN - SCOPUS:0030793205
VL - 30
SP - 54
EP - 57
JO - Annals of Emergency Medicine
JF - Annals of Emergency Medicine
SN - 0196-0644
IS - 1
ER -