We report a recent case of common adder (Vipera berus) envenoming causing paralytic signs and symptoms. A 12-year-old girl was bitten by the nominate subspecies of the common adder (V. berus berus) in eastern Hungary on May 2, 2012, 22 km away from where the first neurotoxic V. berus berus envenoming was reported in 2008. The patient developed unambiguous cranial nerve disturbances, manifested in bilateral impairment characterized by oculomotor paralysis with partial ptosis, gaze paresis, and diplopia. Drowsiness and photophobia were her additional symptoms; both occurred only during the first day of envenoming. Until now among viper envenomings in Europe, photophobia has only been documented by victims of Vipera aspis. Supportive and symptomatic treatments were administered during 3 days of hospitalization. Although case reports of V. berus berus envenomings are often published, clinical experience with neurotoxicity by this subspecies still remains rare. Population-based and geographic variation of venom composition in V. berus berus seems to include neurotoxic envenomings in certain populations. This second authenticated case provides new clinical evidence for the existence of a possible neurotoxic V. berus berus population in a restricted geographical area in eastern Hungary.
Keywords: neurotoxicity; phospholipase A(2); photophobia; ptosis; regional venom variability.
Wilderness Medical Society.