Hypoxic brain injury and cortical blindness in a victim of a Mozambican spitting cobra bite

Chacko, Anith; Andronikou, Savvas; Ramanjam, Veruschka

doi:10.7196/sajsnew.7851

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Elapid venom can interfere with transmission across the motor end-plate as it can bind to the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors that would normally bind acetylcholine [14]. Delayed neurotoxic manifestations are represented by peripheral neuropathies, optic neuritis, and cortical blindness [68].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Snakebite Envenoming a Challenging Diagnosis for the Forensic Pathologist: A Systematic Review

Feola

Marella

Carfora

et al. 2020

Toxins

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Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a public health issue in developing countries. The estimated annual global incidence of snakebites is about 5.4 million snakebites per year, resulting from 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of SBE and from 81,000 to 138,000 deaths with 400,000 survivors suffering permanent physical and psychological disabilities. There are more than 3000 species of snakes around the world: 600 are venomous and over 200 are considered to be medically important because of their clinical effects. The severity of SBE depends on several factors among which bite localization, snake’s size, condition of glands and teeth, bite angle and bite duration, the microflora of the snake’s mouth and victim’s skin, age of the victim, weight, health status, and victim’s activity after a bite. Snake venoms are mixtures of protein families, and each of these families contains many different toxins or toxin isoforms. Based on their effects, snake venoms can be classified as hemotoxic, neurotoxic, or cytotoxic and they can all act together involving multiple tissues and organs. When the bite is fatal, the mechanism of death is primarily related to the paralysis of respiratory muscles, which causes asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, but also anaphylactic shock, hemorrhagic shock, cardiomyopathy, acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate epidemiological and post-mortem examination findings in fatal SBEs in order to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms, thus helping pathologists in defining the correct diagnosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cerebellar involvement, ataxia, and "locked-in syndrome" are very uncommon but they have been also described [68]. Outcomes are pretty good when prompt treatment has been provided.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snakebite Envenoming a Challenging Diagnosis for the Forensic Pathologist: A Systematic Review

Feola

Marella

Carfora

et al. 2020

Toxins

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Mozambique spitting cobra is found in Sub-Saharan Africa in countries such as Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa and commonly found in low-lying areas and around constant water bodies [ [12] , [13] , [14] ]. The Mozambique spitting cobra has been described as the “deadly bed partner” since victims may be attacked when asleep and usually sustain 1 or multiple bites as a result of individuals rolling over these snakes in an unintentionally provocative manner [ 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the ex vivo effects of Naja mossambica venom on the ultrastructure and viscoelastic properties of human blood

Chamboko,

Love,

Strydom

et al. 2024

Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis

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Hemotoxic Snakebite Presenting with Bilateral Blindness Due to Ischemic Occipital Infarcts

John

2019

Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

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Cerebrovascular complications are rare following a Viperidae snake envenomation, let alone ischemic ones. This catastrophic hemorrhaging cascade is widely known to cause a wide array of manifestations. Its manifestations can range from skin bleeds to fatal intracranial or organ hemorrhages. Our patient had cortical blindness secondary to an ischemic occipital infarct following a hemotoxic snakebite - a seemingly distinct oxymoron. The physician should be mindful of the fact that a hemotoxic snakebite can deceptively bring in ischemic attacks as well. Toxic vasculitis, thrombotic angiopathies, widespread vasospasm and endothelial damage are believed to shoulder a part of the disease process that can bring about tissue ischemia. Key Messages Hemotoxic snake envenomation can have devastating effects. Apart from dealing with the threat of coagulopathy, the physician must also be alert to the ironical ischemic aftermath that can equally bring in misery. Our patient had one such complication-bilateral cortical blindness resulting from bilateral occipital ischemic infarcts. The physician must be aware that a hemotoxic snakebite can even instigate ischemic dilemmas, i.e. cerebrovascular infarcts, as well. How to cite this article Kodiatte Abraham A, Livingston J. Hemotoxic Snakebite Presenting with Bilateral Blindness Due to Ischemic Occipital Infarcts. Indian J of Crit Care Med 2019;23(2): 99-101.

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Hypoxic brain injury and cortical blindness in a victim of a Mozambican spitting cobra bite

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Snakebite Envenoming a Challenging Diagnosis for the Forensic Pathologist: A Systematic Review

Snakebite Envenoming a Challenging Diagnosis for the Forensic Pathologist: A Systematic Review

Exploring the ex vivo effects of Naja mossambica venom on the ultrastructure and viscoelastic properties of human blood

Hemotoxic Snakebite Presenting with Bilateral Blindness Due to Ischemic Occipital Infarcts

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