Terrestrial venomous snakes and snakebites in the Arab countries of the Middle East

The 12 Arab countries of the Middle East are inhabited by 21 species of terrestrial venomous snakes of varying medical importance. This review considers these species, consisting of 16 viperids, 3 elapids and 2 atractaspidines. Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen report the largest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Toxicon (Oxford) 2020-04, Vol.177, p.1-15
Main Authors: Amr, Zuhair S., Abu Baker, Mohammad A., Warrell, David A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antivenom
Atractaspis
Cerastes
Echis
Middle east
Naja
Snakebite
Venomous snakes
Viperidae
Walterinnesia
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Summary:The 12 Arab countries of the Middle East are inhabited by 21 species of terrestrial venomous snakes of varying medical importance. This review considers these species, consisting of 16 viperids, 3 elapids and 2 atractaspidines. Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen report the largest numbers of snakebites and envenomings. Accessible literature in English and Arabic on venomous snakes and snakebites and available antivenoms is reviewed. Clinical effects include potentially misleading symptoms attributable to anxiety and traditional pre-hospital treatments. •This review is intended to serve public health providers in the Arab countries in the Middle East.•The epidemiology and clinical symptoms as well as treatment with antivenoms is discussed.•Antivenoms used is the Arab countries is revised based on current practices.
ISSN:0041-0101
1879-3150
DOI:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.01.012