Serial envenomation in a snake handler with severe coaguloapathy

Akshay Raghuram; Theophilus Pham; Alan Pang; John Griswold

doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2281202

Serial envenomation in a snake handler with severe coaguloapathy

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2023 Dec 20;37(1):154-157. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2281202. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Akshay Raghuram¹, Theophilus Pham², Alan Pang², John Griswold²

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
² Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.

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.

Keywords: Antibody response; coagulopathy; crotalid venom; envenomation; snakebite; trained immunity.

Publication types

Case Reports