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Background The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a new treatment strategy for envenomation that consists of multiple small incisions and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on injured limb swelling and systemic inflammatory reaction. Material/Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled trial on snakebite envenomation. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: an observation group and a control group. The traditional comprehensive treatment was administered in both groups, but the observation group also received combined treatment with multiple small incisions and NPWT. Reduction in limb swelling, mean admission duration, complication rate, and changes in the levels of relevant cytokines were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Results The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (5.44±0.89 days vs. 7.71±1.70 days). The complication rate and IL-6 concentration were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group. Conclusions Multiple small incisions combined with NPWT proved effective for controlling the release of inflammatory cytokines and accelerating the relief of systemic inflammatory reaction. As a consequence, the complication rate decreased. Therefore, our new treatment strategy is safe and effective.

Antivenom is the most effective method currently available for the treatment of poisonous snake bite. Allergic reactions to antivenom have been reported in the past. Here we shared a case of allergic reactions to antivenom in an old male patient who was bitten twice by the same snake (probably same one) at the same biting site within a month whereas the patient did not show any allergic disorder in the first bitten. Envenomations twice in a short period time by the same kind of snake are very rare. Physician should be alert to the occurrence of allergic reactions in treating this type of patients with antivenom. The skin allergy test has a certain value in predicting the allergic response before the second use of antivenom. Desensitization may reduce the incidence of allergic reactions, but this is insufficient. Rather than non-IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity, patients receiving the second treatment of antivenom may develop IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity. Once happened, the antivenom treatment should be stopped promptly and anti-allergy treatment should be given immediately.

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunoprotective effects of AaHIV in mice. After purification, a 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed. Bicinchoninic acid was used to determine the molecular weight and concentration of AaHIV. AaHIV, venom complex (VC), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were subsequently used to immunize the mice three times, and the blood was sampled 1 week after the third immunization to determine the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer. A skin-bleeding inhibition assay and toxin-eliminating assay were performed on the immunized mice. The purity and concentration of AaHIV were 86.6% and 1.20 mg/mL, respectively. The AaHIV group exhibited higher antibody titers than the VC group. The survival rate of the AaHIV group (7/10) was significantly higher than that of the PBS group (0/10) (P = 0.0031). The high titer of antibodies induced by AaHIV partially neutralized the bleeding activity of the Deinagkistrodon acutus venom complex.