[Snake bite by a poisonous snake. Report of an unusual case]

Hautarzt. 1994 May;45(5):330-4. doi: 10.1007/s001050050078.
[Article in German]

Abstract

We report on a 31-year-old white woman, who was bitten in her right calf by a "spitting cobra" (Neia nigricollis) during a safari in Tansania. Minor initial systemic symptoms such as nausea and vomiting were followed by severe oedematous swelling of the extremity after 2-3 h and demarcation of a 2.75 x 2.75 in. area of necrotic skin. The patient returned to her home country, where 8 days after the snake-bite necrosectomy was performed. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and local therapy with hydrocolloidal wound dressings were administered. With this therapy the lesion healed completely with minor scarring within 5 months. A new Salmonella strain was isolated from the ground of the ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Atrophy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Elapidae*
  • Erysipelas / etiology
  • Erysipelas / pathology
  • Erysipelas / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg Ulcer / etiology
  • Leg Ulcer / pathology
  • Leg Ulcer / therapy
  • Salmonella / classification
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification
  • Salmonella Infections / etiology
  • Salmonella Infections / pathology
  • Salmonella Infections / therapy
  • Skin / pathology
  • Snake Bites / etiology*
  • Snake Bites / pathology
  • Snake Bites / therapy
  • Tanzania
  • Wound Infection / etiology
  • Wound Infection / pathology
  • Wound Infection / therapy