Incidence of Hematotoxic Effect of Snake Venom in Patients with Snake bite

Abstract: Objective: The main aim of this study was to find the incidence of hematotoxic effect of snake venom in patients with snake bite.Place and Duration: This study was carried out in a duration of 12 months from January 2018 to December 2018 in various hospitals of Lahore.Materials and Methods: 80 cases were selected which presented with the history of snake bite. Detailed history of the patient was taken and examination for symptoms like neurotoxicity and hematotoxicity was completed followed by lab investigations relating to hematotoxicity i.e. PT, APTT and complete blood profile to look for hematotoxicity. Informed consent was taken from all the patients.Results: Patients included in this study were between the ages of 22-30 years with the mean age of 26 years. Most commonly about (76%) males were the victims of the snake bite. Hematotoxic effect was seen in 57% of the cases while neurotoxicity was seen in 4.3% of the cases. Deranged levels of PT, APTT was seen in 45 (56.25%) of the snake bite victims, thrombocytopenia in 12 (15%) of the cases, bleeding from musculocutaneous site 5 (6.25%), bleeding from veni-puncture site 2 (2.5%), hematuria 15 (18.75%) and hematemesis 2 (2.5%) of the snake bite victims while neurotoxicity was seen in 4.3% of the cases having respiratory paralysis and ptosis in 100% of the cases.Conclusion: Serious health problems are associated with the toxicity caused by snake bite. Almost 2500 species of snakes are found all over the world and around 250 species are more common in Pakistan. Poisonous snakes are less common than non-poisonous but are more deadly.Keywords: Neurotoxic, hematototoxic, venom, myotoxic