title: Case report of probable desert black snake envenomation in 22-year-old male causing profound weakness and respiratory distress.
abstract: We describe a case of a 22-year-old male who presented to our facility 1 hour after a snake bite, which he identified as the desert black snake. He presented with severe weakness and respiratory distress. He was treated with polyvalent antivenom and observed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with resolution of his respiratory symptoms. He developed paresthesias locally around his wound and later complained of diplopia. Two days later, he had total resolution of his symptoms. This is one of the only clinical reports of neurotoxic effects after Walterinnesia morgani envenomation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Martin Army Community Hospital, Columbus, GA 31906, USA. cynthia.lauer@us.army.mil
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Zickgraf
authors.forename: Martin E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Weisse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D004546:Elapid Venoms