Biomaterial Database

Envenomation by the Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius). A study of 39 victims. 1987

C S Kitchens, and L H Van Mierop

We gathered data on 39 victims of Eastern coral snake bite over a 12-year period. The most common situation resulting in snakebite was erroneous identification of the snake as the nonpoisonous scarlet king snake. While no patient died, several experienced severe envenomation, including bulbospinal respiratory paralysis. We found that neurologic symptoms may be delayed for 12 hours, and then may be precipitous. Envenomation occurs in 75% of the persons bitten by a coral snake. Antivenin is effective and should be intravenously administered early to patients who have been bitten by a positively identified coral snake, depending on the clinical presentation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D010243	Paralysis	A general term most often used to describe severe or complete loss of muscle strength due to motor system disease from the level of the cerebral cortex to the muscle fiber. This term may also occasionally refer to a loss of sensory function. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p45)	Palsy,Plegia,Todd Paralysis,Todd's Paralysis,Palsies,Paralyses,Paralysis, Todd,Paralysis, Todd's,Plegias,Todds Paralysis
D012133	Respiratory Paralysis	Complete or severe weakness of the muscles of respiration. This condition may be associated with MOTOR NEURON DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION DISEASES; SPINAL CORD DISEASES; injury to the PHRENIC NERVE; and other disorders.	Diaphragmatic Paralysis,Paralysis, Respiratory Muscle,Muscle Paralyses, Respiratory,Muscle Paralysis, Respiratory,Paralysis, Diaphragmatic,Paralysis, Respiratory,Respiratory Muscle Paralysis
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000997	Antivenins	Antisera used to counteract poisoning by animal VENOMS, especially SNAKE VENOMS.	Anti-Venin,Anti-Venom,Antivenin,Antivenom,Anti-Venins,Anti-Venoms,Antivenoms,Anti Venin,Anti Venins,Anti Venom,Anti Venoms
D012909	Snake Bites	Bites by snakes. Bite by a venomous snake is characterized by stinging pain at the wound puncture. The venom injected at the site of the bite is capable of producing a deleterious effect on the blood or on the nervous system. (Webster's 3d ed; from Dorland, 27th ed, at snake, venomous)	Envenomation, Snakebite,Snake Envenomation,Snake Envenoming,Snakebite Envenoming,Snakebites,Bite, Snake,Envenomation, Snake,Envenoming, Snake,Envenoming, Snakebite,Snake Bite,Snake Envenomations,Snake Envenomings,Snakebite,Snakebite Envenomation,Snakebite Envenomations,Snakebite Envenomings