Snake bites in Nigeria: A study of the prevalence and treatment in Benin City

Purpose: Although snake bites occur frequently in Benin City, the prevalence has not been documented. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and the orthodox treatment of victims. Methods: The study was retrospective and data on victims of snake bite covering a period of twenty years were obtained from the records as contained in the individual patients\' case files available at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City. Results: Males were twice more often bitten than females, and teenagers and youths in their early twenties constituted the peak age range of victims. Most victims (59.5%) were bitten in the bush or farm. The limbs were the commonest sites of bite with the feet (73.5%) and arms (20.9%) more frequently bitten; both the upper and lower right limbs were also more frequently bitten than the corresponding left limbs. All patients who showed symptoms of envenomation (68.3%) received polyvalent antivenom, 67.4% received antibiotics while over 90% of patients received antitetanus prophylaxis. Some of the patients (61.5 %) were treated with analgesics, while 17.2% and 82.3% received diazepam and intravenous fluids, respectively. Although there was a high degree of morbidity as shown by the long stay of many patients in the hospital (mean duration of stay by patients in hospital is 5.7±5.1 days; rang

Preliminary Investigative Study on the Blood Pressure-Lowering Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca (AESG) on Normotensive Adult Wistar Rats

Studies have shown that plants possess medicinal properties and compounds are beneficial in managing and treating diseases, including high blood pressure and related cardiovascular conditions. Simarouba glauca (SG) has been widely reported to possess antibacterial activity, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative and hemolytic activity; amongst others. However, there is paucity of data on its effect on blood pressure. Hence, the study research aimed at assessing the hypotensive prospect inherent in the aqueous leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (AESG) on normotensive male Wistar rats. The study was conducted using adult male Wistar rats (n = 3), a urethane/thiopental (1205/20 mg/kg) anesthesia and a chart paper attached to Ugo Basile Uni-recorder Model 400700 data capsule. Under full anesthesia, the rat’s trachea and the carotid artery were cannulated for assisted respiration and blood pressure measurement. At stable variables; following the administration of 0.2 mL normal saline, the AESG was administered intravenously via the caudal vein at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight dose respectively. The data was recorded on a chart; indicated the characteristic dose-dependent hypotensive effect of AESG on normotensive rats; at doses of 2.5 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg, with marked decreases in the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from basal levels of 127.83 ± 1.01 mmHg, 91.00 ± 1.00 mm Hg and 103.27 ± 0.99 mm Hg respectively. The outcome of the preliminary investigation indicates that the AESG demonstrated a hypotensive effect on the BP of normotensive male Wistar rats dependent on varying doses administered; indicative of further evaluation

Research Article - Snake bites in Nigeria: A study of the prevalence and treatment in Benin City

Purpose: Although snake bites occur frequently in Benin City, the prevalence has not been documented. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and the orthodox treatment of victims. Methods: The study was retrospective and data on victims of snake bite covering a period of twenty years were obtained from the records as contained in the individual patients' case files available at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City. Results: Males were twice more often bitten than females, and teenagers and youths in their earlytwenties constituted the peak age range of victims. Most victims (59.5%) were bitten in the bush or farm. The limbs were the commonest sites of bite with the feet (73.5%) and arms (20.9%) more frequently bitten; both the upper and lower right limbs were also more frequently bitten than the corresponding left limbs. All patients who showed symptoms of envenomation (68.3%) received polyvalent antivenom, 67.4% received antibiotics while over 90% of patients received antitetanus prophylaxis. Some of the patients (61.5 %) were treated with analgesics, while 17.2% and 82.3% received diazepam and intravenous fluids, respectively. Although there wasa high degree of morbidity as shown by the long stay of many patients in the hospital (mean duration of stay by patients in hospital is 5.7±5.1 days; range <1-23 days), mortality was not recorded. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of snake bites with high morbidity especially among the very active youthful segment of the Benin City population