title: Envenoming by Chinese krait (Bungarus multicinctus) and banded krait (B. fasciatus) in Myanmar.
abstract: A retrospective study of 8 cases of envenoming by Chinese krait (Bungarus multicinctus) and one banded krait (B. fasciatus) in southern Myanmar is reported. Chinese krait bite produced minimal local reactions, except in one person bitten on the lip which resulted in local swelling. Onset of neurotoxic symptoms occurred 2.5-6 h after the bite, and the interval between bite and death ranged from 12-30 h. Three deaths were due to respiratory failure. Four mildly envenomed cases recovered spontaneously without assisted ventilation. One severely envenomed patient recovered after 8 d intensive respiratory care. Cobra (Naja kaouthia) antivenom had no value in reversing neurotoxic symptoms. Anticholinesterase injection given to one patient failed to improve neurotoxic symptoms. The bite of banded krait (B. fasciatus) resulted in neurotoxic envenoming within 2 h after the bite, with minimal local reactions. The victim died of respiratory failure 14 h after the bite.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Yangon General Hospital, Myanmar.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Htut
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Htut
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Aung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D017838:Bungarus; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D002052:Myanmar; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors