title: Oral bacterial flora of the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) and bamboo pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) in Hong Kong SAR, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the oral bacterial flora associated with two common local venomous snakes in Hong Kong, namely the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) and the bamboo pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A non-government organisation and a regional hospital in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two Chinese cobras and seven bamboo pit vipers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Species identification of bacteria in the oral cavity of both snakes and their antibiotic susceptibilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The oral cavity of Chinese cobra harbour a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, including: Gram-negative bacterial species like Morganella morganii, Aeromonas hydrophila and Proteus, and Gram-positive bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus as well as anaerobic species (clostridia). The oral cavity of the Chinese cobra is more likely than that of the bamboo pit viper to harbour pathogenic bacteria associated with snakebite infection (P<0.001). The median number of pathogenic bacteria per snake was significantly higher in the Chinese cobra (P<0.001). All pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria isolated were susceptible to levofloxacin. Amoxicillin/clavulanate provided good coverage against pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis) and anaerobes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  'Prophylactic' antibiotic treatment for Chinese cobra bites may be beneficial, owing to the multiple pathogenic bacteria in its oral cavity and the higher risk of ensuing necrosis. The regimen of levofloxacin plus amoxicillin/clavulanate appears promising for this purpose, but further study is required to confirm its clinical utility in patients.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong. shekkc@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: Kenneth H L
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ades
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grioni
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lung
authors.forename: Tommy S K
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Que
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017815:Elapidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000382:microbiology; D017841:Trimeresurus / Q000382:microbiology*