Raghuram A, Pham T, Pang A, Griswold J. Serial envenomation in a snake handler with severe coaguloapathy.
Proc AMIA Symp 2023;
37:154-157. [PMID:
38174015 PMCID:
PMC10761039 DOI:
10.1080/08998280.2023.2281202]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a rare case study of a 37-year-old man with a history of multiple prior snake bites who presented to the emergency department for treatment of a rattlesnake bite to his right hand. Upon examination, he was found to be mildly hypertensive and exhibited significant coagulation abnormalities. Initial treatment included six vials of Crotalidae polyvalent immune fab; however, his coagulopathy was so severe that he required an additional eight vials. Continuous monitoring and calculations of Snakebite Severity Score demonstrated resolution of coagulopathy within 36 hours of admission. We believe the patient's unusual recovery was likely due to an innate immune response, specifically an activated memory B-cell cascade. This case should lead researchers to consider that the resolution of severe coagulopathy might result from a memory-driven immune response in instances of multiple envenomations.
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