Hemorrhagic stroke following snake bite in Burkina Faso (West Africa). A case series

Abstract

Background Snake bites remain a major medical problem in West Africa, and hemorrhagic stroke following a snakebite has emerged as a rare secondary condition. The objective of this study was to determine the neurological complications following snake bite. Methods This study included all the cases of hemorrhagic stroke following snake bite admitted in the neurology Department of Yalgado Ouedraogo University Teaching Hospital during the period from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st 2019. Results Three cases of hemorrhagic stroke following snake bite were included in the study. The strokes occurred 4–15 days after the snakebite. Traditional treatment was applied in two cases. Complications were significant, including local manifestations and severe anemia in 2 patients who received blood transfusion. Snake anti-venom was applied. At admission, motor deficit, conscience disorders and fever were the most frequent complaints. Patients received repeated dose of snake anti-venom was applied, antitetanus prophylaxis and antibiotherapy during hospitalization. The majority of the patients had completely recovered. Conclusions Hemorrhagic stroke following snake bites are rare in Burkina Faso. Clinical outcome of stroke was favorable after treatment by antivenom, anti-tetanus serum and antibiotics.

Acute ischaemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis following snakebite

“…Towards this end, Feola et al reported 2.6% of patients with cerebrovascular complications among 309 snakebite victims 9. Ischaemic stroke has also been reported in various snake envenomation 16–21. Gawarammana et al found 1.8% ischaemic stroke cases in 500 viper bite patients 22.…”

Hémorragie cérébro-méningée secondaire à une envenimation par morsure de serpent : à propos de deux cas au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

“…Les complications neurologiques ne sont généralement rapportées dans la littérature que sous forme de cas cliniques. Dabilgou et al [ 6 ] ont rapporté 3 cas d’hémorragies cérébrales post envenimation à Ouagadougou, et Yalcouyé et al [ 27 ] ont décrit un cas d’hémorragie cérébrale avec cécité irréversible à Bamako. Les études sur de grandes populations sont rares en Afrique et ne sont pas précises quant aux complications neurologiques.…”

“…Le saignement est dû à une lésion vasculaire induite par le venin et est entretenu par d’autres mécanismes en lien avec le venin tels que la thrombopénie, la coagulopathie de consommation, la défibrination et l’hyperfibrinolyse [ 15 ]. Cette coagulopathie a été rapportée par Dabilgou et al [ 6 ] avec une élévation des D-dimères à 7 500 mg/l chez un patient, une thrombopénie et une diminution du taux de prothrombine chez un autre. C’était également le cas de Yalcouyé et al [ 27 ] dont le patient avait une thrombopénie et un sang complètement incoagulable au test de coagulation sur tube sec réalisé à l’admission.…”

Factors Associated With Complications of Snakebite Envenomation in Health Facilities in the Cascades Region of Burkina Faso, 2016 to 2021

“…to quality antivenom serum is frequently limited [4,7]. Most studies conducted in Burkina Faso have focused on the prevalence or incidence of snakebites [6,8,9], while recent research on complications has been case reports from referral hospitals [10][11][12]. Few studies have explored both the complications of snakebite envenomation and the associated factors.…”