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Snakebite Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy and Recommendations for Clinical Practice. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14010057. [PMID: 35051033 PMCID: PMC8778654 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite is a significant and under-resourced global public health issue. Snake venoms cause a variety of potentially fatal clinical toxin syndromes, including venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) which is associated with major haemorrhage. A subset of patients with VICC develop a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). This article reviews recent evidence regarding snakebite-associated TMA and its epidemiology, diagnosis, outcomes, and effectiveness of interventions including antivenom and therapeutic plasma-exchange. Snakebite-associated TMA presents with microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (evidenced by schistocytes on the blood film), thrombocytopenia in almost all cases, and a spectrum of acute kidney injury (AKI). A proportion of patients require dialysis, most survive and achieve dialysis free survival. There is no evidence that antivenom prevents TMA specifically, but early antivenom remains the mainstay of treatment for snake envenoming. There is no evidence for therapeutic plasma-exchange being effective. We propose diagnostic criteria for snakebite-associated TMA as anaemia with >1.0% schistocytes on blood film examination, together with absolute thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/L) or a relative decrease in platelet count of >25% from baseline. Patients are at risk of long-term chronic kidney disease and long term follow up is recommended.
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Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Lek RA, Isbister GK. Snakebite associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a systematic review of clinical features, outcomes, and evidence for interventions including plasmapheresis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008936. [PMID: 33290400 PMCID: PMC7748274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an important but poorly understood complication of snakebite associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Numerous treatments have been attempted based on limited evidence. We conducted a systematic review of TMA following snakebite using a pre-determined case definition of blood film red cell schistocytes or histologically diagnosed TMA. The search strategy included major electronic databases and grey literature. We present a descriptive synthesis for the outcomes of AKI, dialysis free survival (DFS), other end-organ damage, overall survival, and interventions with antivenom and therapeutic plasmapheresis (TPE). This study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019121436). Seventy-two studies reporting 351 cases were included, predominantly small observational studies. Heterogeneity for study selection, design, reporting and outcomes were observed. The commonest envenoming species were hump-nosed vipers (Hypnale spp.), Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and Australian brown snakes (Pseudechis spp.). The prevalence of TMA was at least 5.4% in proven and probable Hypnale bites, and 10-15% of Australian elapid envenomings, AKI occurred in 94% (293/312) of TMA cases, excluding case reports. The majority of cases with AKI required dialysis. Included prospective and retrospective cohort studies reporting interventions and renal outcomes showed no evidence for benefit from antivenom or TPE with respect to DFS in dialysis dependant AKI. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment for quality of accumulated evidence for interventions was low. The major complication of TMA following snakebite is AKI. AKI improves in most cases. We found no evidence to support benefit from antivenom in snakebite associated TMA, but antivenom remains the standard of care for snake envenoming. There was no evidence for benefit of TPE in snakebite associated TMA, so TPE cannot be recommended. The quality of accumulated evidence was low, highlighting a need for high quality larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Noutsos
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Australia
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Bart J. Currie
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Rachel A. Lek
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Geoffrey K. Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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Wijewickrama ES, Gooneratne LV, Gnanathasan A, Gawarammana I, Gunatilake M, Isbister GK. Thrombotic microangiopathy and acute kidney injury following Sri Lankan Daboia russelii and Hypnale species envenoming. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020; 58:997-1003. [PMID: 32067496 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1717509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Context: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of venomous snakebites. We aimed to describe TMA secondary to Russell's viper (Daboia russelli) and hump-nosed viper (Hypnale spp.) bites and assess the effect of different treatments.Materials and methods: We undertook a prospective observational study of patients with AKI secondary to snakebite over a two-year period. Data recorded included: demographic details, clinical and laboratory features, treatment, complications and outcomes, until hospital discharge and at three months post-discharge. TMA was defined as the development of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia along with AKI. Treatment with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE; also known as plasmapheresis) and/or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was determined by the treating clinician. Antivenom was given to all patients with evidence of systemic envenoming following Russell's viper bites.Results: Fifty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-three (56%) were males and median age was 56 years. Forty-five (76%) developed TMA while a further 11 and two developed isolated thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, respectively. Presence of TMA was associated with increased dialysis requirements (5 vs. 3) and longer hospital stay (18 vs. 12 days). Of the patients with TMA, nine received TPE with or without FFP infusions. The use of TPE was not associated with improved outcomes in patients with TMA based on requirement for blood transfusion, recovery of thrombocytopenia, requirement of dialysis and duration of hospital stay. Patients who did not receive TPE had better renal function at three months compared to patients who received this treatment.Conclusion: Presence of TMA in patients with Daboia and Hypnale bites was associated with a more prolonged course of AKI. Patients with TMA who were treated with TPE did not have improved early or late outcomes compared to patients who were not treated with TPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eranga S Wijewickrama
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Lalindra V Gooneratne
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Ariaranee Gnanathasan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Indika Gawarammana
- Department of Medicine and South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Mangala Gunatilake
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Geoffrey K Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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Padmanabhan A, Connelly-Smith L, Aqui N, Balogun RA, Klingel R, Meyer E, Pham HP, Schneiderman J, Witt V, Wu Y, Zantek ND, Dunbar NM, Schwartz GEJ. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Eighth Special Issue. J Clin Apher 2019; 34:171-354. [PMID: 31180581 DOI: 10.1002/jca.21705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 766] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Journal of Clinical Apheresis (JCA) Special Issue Writing Committee is charged with reviewing, updating and categorizing indications for the evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis (TA) in human disease. Since the 2007 JCA Special Issue (Fourth Edition), the committee has incorporated systematic review and evidence-based approaches in the grading and categorization of apheresis indications. This Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue continues to maintain this methodology and rigor in order to make recommendations on the use of apheresis in a wide variety of diseases/conditions. The JCA Eighth Edition, like its predecessor, continues to apply the category and grading system definitions in fact sheets. The general layout and concept of a fact sheet that was introduced in the Fourth Edition, has largely been maintained in this edition. Each fact sheet succinctly summarizes the evidence for the use of TA in a specific disease entity or medical condition. The Eighth Edition comprises 84 fact sheets for relevant diseases and medical conditions, with 157 graded and categorized indications and/or TA modalities. The Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue seeks to continue to serve as a key resource that guides the utilization of TA in the treatment of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Padmanabhan
- Medical Sciences Institute & Blood Research Institute, Versiti & Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Laura Connelly-Smith
- Department of Medicine, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance & University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nicole Aqui
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rasheed A Balogun
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Reinhard Klingel
- Apheresis Research Institute, Cologne, Germany & First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Erin Meyer
- Department of Hematology/Oncology/BMT/Pathology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Huy P Pham
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jennifer Schneiderman
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Neuro-oncology/Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Volker Witt
- Department for Pediatrics, St. Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yanyun Wu
- Bloodworks NW & Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nicole D Zantek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nancy M Dunbar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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Bucaretchi F, Pimenta MMB, Borrasca-Fernandes CF, Prado CC, Capitani EMD, Hyslop S. Thrombotic microangiopathy following Bothrops jararaca snakebite: case report. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2018; 57:294-299. [PMID: 30444155 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2018.1514621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an uncommon and severe complication of snakebites, and is similar, in general, to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We describe a case of TMA following envenomation by Bothrops jararaca. CASE DETAILS A 56-y-old-woman with controlled hypertension was transferred from a primary hospital to our ER ∼7 h after being bitten by B. jararaca in the distal left leg. She developed edema extending from the bite site to the proximal thigh, associated with intense radiating local pain, local paresthesia and ecchymosis at the bite site. Laboratory features upon admission revealed coagulopathy (20 min whole blood clotting time - WBCT20 > 20 min), thrombocytopenia (76,000 platelets/mm3) and slight increase in serum creatinine (1.58 mg/dL; RV < 1.2 mg/dL). Upon admission, the patient was treated with bothropic antivenom and fluids replacement. During evolution, her thrombocytopenia and anemia worsened, with blood films showing fragmented red cells, haptoglobin consumption, increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase, and progressive increase of serum creatinine (KDIGO stage = 3). No RBC transfusion, renal replacement therapy or plasmapheresis was done. The patient showed progressive improvement from day nine (D9) onwards and was discharged on D20; there was complete recovery of hemoglobin levels at follow-up (D50). ADAMTS-13 activity, assayed 10 months post-bite, was within reference values. DISCUSSION TMA following snakebite has been reported mainly in India, Sri Lanka and Australia, with several patients needing renal replacement therapy. Although controversial, plasmapheresis has also been used in some cases. Our patient developed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury, a triad of features compatible with TMA similar to HUS. Despite the severity, the outcome following conservative treatment was good, with complete recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Bucaretchi
- a Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil.,d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
| | - Maíra M Branco Pimenta
- d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
| | - Carla F Borrasca-Fernandes
- a Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil.,d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
| | - Camila Carbone Prado
- d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
| | - Eduardo Mello De Capitani
- b Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil.,d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
| | - Stephen Hyslop
- c Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil.,d Campinas Poison Control Center, School of Medical Sciences , State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Campinas , Brazil
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Margabandhu S, Ranjit S, Jayakumar I, Sundaramoorthy C, Janarthanan M, Reddy J, Thiagarajan M, Jayamoorthy S, Vishwanathan L. Therapeutic plasma exchange for pediatric nonrenal disease indications and outcomes: A single-center experience. Asian J Transfus Sci 2018; 12:127-135. [PMID: 30692797 PMCID: PMC6327757 DOI: 10.4103/ajts.ajts_123_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Outcome data in pediatric plasma exchange, especially in nonrenal indications are scarce. We aimed to evaluate its role and outcome in our patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A retrospective study of children admitted in the year 2016 to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit requiring plasma exchange for nonrenal indications was undertaken. Plasma exchange was given as adjunctive therapy along with primary treatment for the disease concerned. Demographic and clinical data were studied, and descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. RESULTS Ten children underwent plasma exchange during this 1-year period with a male: female ratio of 3:2 and a mean age of 10 years (range 3-16 years). The indications were acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 2), acute neuromyelitis optica (n = 1), catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 1), severe SLE with cerebritis/hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (n = 2), severe dengue sepsis with HLH/multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (n = 2), and thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to snake bite envenomation (n = 2). All received either 1.5 or 2 times plasma volume exchange (mean sessions - 4, range = 1-6). The mean duration of stay in hospital was 17.2 days (range = 3-40 days), and follow-up was 78 days (range = 3-180 days), with the majority of children (8/10, 80%) survived from the catastrophic illness at the time of discharge. Two children (2/10, 20%) succumbed due to the disease per se in severe dengue sepsis in one and enterobacteriaceae sepsis (hospital-acquired pneumonia) in another. CONCLUSION Plasma exchange was found to be beneficial as complementary therapy in a critical care setting, especially for nonrenal indications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suchitra Ranjit
- Department of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Indira Jayakumar
- Department of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chitra Sundaramoorthy
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mahesh Janarthanan
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jayakumar Reddy
- Department of Paediatrics, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Meena Thiagarajan
- Department of Paediatrics, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shyamala Jayamoorthy
- Department of Paediatrics, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Latha Vishwanathan
- Department of Paediatrics, Apollo Children's Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Schwartz J, Padmanabhan A, Aqui N, Balogun RA, Connelly-Smith L, Delaney M, Dunbar NM, Witt V, Wu Y, Shaz BH. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice-Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Seventh Special Issue. J Clin Apher 2017; 31:149-62. [PMID: 27322218 DOI: 10.1002/jca.21470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Journal of Clinical Apheresis (JCA) Special Issue Writing Committee is charged with reviewing, updating, and categorizing indications for the evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis in human disease. Since the 2007 JCA Special Issue (Fourth Edition), the Committee has incorporated systematic review and evidence-based approaches in the grading and categorization of apheresis indications. This Seventh Edition of the JCA Special Issue continues to maintain this methodology and rigor to make recommendations on the use of apheresis in a wide variety of diseases/conditions. The JCA Seventh Edition, like its predecessor, has consistently applied the category and grading system definitions in the fact sheets. The general layout and concept of a fact sheet that was used since the fourth edition has largely been maintained in this edition. Each fact sheet succinctly summarizes the evidence for the use of therapeutic apheresis in a specific disease entity. The Seventh Edition discusses 87 fact sheets (14 new fact sheets since the Sixth Edition) for therapeutic apheresis diseases and medical conditions, with 179 indications, which are separately graded and categorized within the listed fact sheets. Several diseases that are Category IV which have been described in detail in previous editions and do not have significant new evidence since the last publication are summarized in a separate table. The Seventh Edition of the JCA Special Issue serves as a key resource that guides the utilization of therapeutic apheresis in the treatment of human disease. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:149-162, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Schwartz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Anand Padmanabhan
- Blood Center of Wisconsin, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Nicole Aqui
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rasheed A Balogun
- Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Laura Connelly-Smith
- Department of Medicine, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Meghan Delaney
- Bloodworks Northwest, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nancy M Dunbar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Volker Witt
- Department for Pediatrics, St. Anna Kinderspital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yanyun Wu
- Bloodworks Northwest, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Beth H Shaz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.,New York Blood Center, Department of Pathology.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. J Clin Apher 2016; 31:163-202. [PMID: 27322219 DOI: 10.1002/jca.21474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Withana M, Rodrigo C, Gnanathasan A, Gooneratne L. Presumptive thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following a hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bite: a case report. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2014; 20:26. [PMID: 24987409 PMCID: PMC4077548 DOI: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hump-nosed viper bites are frequent in southern India and Sri Lanka. However, the published literature on this snakebite is limited and its venom composition is not well characterized. In this case, we report a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-like syndrome following envenoming which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature before. A 55-year-old woman from southern Sri Lanka presented to the local hospital 12 hours after a hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bite. Five days later, she developed a syndrome that was characteristic of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with fever, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolysis, renal impairment and neurological dysfunction in the form of confusion and coma. Her clinical syndrome and relevant laboratory parameters improved after she was treated with therapeutic plasma exchange. We compared our observations on this patient with the current literature and concluded that thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a theoretically plausible yet unreported manifestation of hump-nosed viper bite up to this moment. This study also provides an important message for clinicians to look out for this complication in hump-nosed viper bites since timely treatment can be lifesaving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milinda Withana
- National Hospital, University Medical Unit, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Chaturaka Rodrigo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka
| | - Ariaranee Gnanathasan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka
| | - Lallindra Gooneratne
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Casamento AJ, Isbister GK. Thrombotic microangiopathy in two tiger snake envenomations. Anaesth Intensive Care 2012; 39:1124-7. [PMID: 22165369 DOI: 10.1177/0310057x1103900622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thrombotic microangiopathies are a rare group of disorders with features such as microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. Thrombotic microangiopathy has been previously reported in association with envenomation from a number of snake species. We present the first two reported cases of thrombotic microangiopathy caused by envenomation from the common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus). Both patients had classical features of thrombotic microangiopathy with microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure commencing in the first 48 hours after envenomation. The presentations and recovery were similar to case presentations of other snakebite envenomation associated thrombotic microangiopathies. Normal ADAMTS13 activity suggests that plasmapharesis may not be beneficial, although this needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Casamento
- Intensive Care Department, The Northern Hospital, Epping, Victoria, Australia.
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