Abstract

Context: India is a country with highest rates of mortalities and morbidities resulting from snake bite. There is a concept that four snake species namely Naja naja, Bungarus caeruleus, Daboia russelii, Echis carinatus, together called the ‘The Big 4 snakes of medical importance’ are solely responsible for morbidities and mortalities. Indian antivenom is effective against aforementioned species only. Aims: Aim of the study was to compare the clinical and laboratory variables in patients bitten by hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) and other vipers. Settings and Design: Study was conducted in Kozhikode Government Medical College, located in Northern Kerala. It was a descriptive study on various clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods and Material: Study was conducted comparing various clinical and laboratory parameters in among patients bitten by Daboia russelii and Hypnale Hypnale. Statistical analysis used: Analysis was done using EPIINFO and SPSS software. Comparisons between viper bites were done by the chisquare test. Results: Analysis proved that except for parotid swelling, which was seen only among Daboia russelii bitten patients, there were no statistically significant difference among the various parameters studied, including mortality rate. Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the urgent need for anti snake venom effective in Hypnale Hypnale envenomations.

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