Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti) envenoming in snake handlers

Background: Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti) is a member of the black snake genus and occurs in a warm temperate to sub-tropical region of central Queensland, Australia. There are no reports of bites occurring in the wild, and bites were previously thought to cause only minor effects. They...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:QJM : An International Journal of Medicine 2006-02, Vol.99 (2), p.109-115
Main Authors: Isbister, G.K., Hooper, M.R., Dowsett, R., Maw, G., Murray, L., White, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Kidney Injury - etiology
Adult
Animals
Australia
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Coagulation Disorders - etiology
Elapid Venoms - poisoning
Elapidae
General aspects
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases - complications
Occupational Diseases - therapy
Occupational Exposure
Pseudechis colletti
Rhabdomyolysis - etiology
Snake Bites - complications
Snake Bites - therapy
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Summary:Background: Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti) is a member of the black snake genus and occurs in a warm temperate to sub-tropical region of central Queensland, Australia. There are no reports of bites occurring in the wild, and bites were previously thought to cause only minor effects. They are a popular snake among zoos and exotic snake keepers. Aim: To investigate the clinical effects of severe envenoming by Collett's snake, and possible treatment options. Design: Case series. Methods: Clinical and laboratory features are described for six bites, all in snake handlers. Results: All six bites were from captive snakes, resulting in severe envenoming in four. Two patients were treated early with black snake antivenom, and only developed an anticoagulant coagulopathy and mild myolysis. Two developed anticoagulant coagulopathy and severe rhabdomyolysis associated with acute renal failure, requiring haemodialysis; both received antivenom >10 h after the bite, and initially received minimal fluid replacement. Other effects included thrombocytopenia, non-immune haemolytic anaemia and a marked leukocytosis. Discussion: Collett's snake envenoming is characterized by early generalized systemic effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and headache) and an anticoagulant coagulopathy, followed in some cases by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in untreated patients within 24 h. Early initiation of fluid therapy and treatment with black snake antivenom should be undertaken in all envenomed patients.
ISSN:1460-2725
1460-2393
DOI:10.1093/qjmed/hcl007