Personal Experience of Daboia siamensis Envenomation

Abstract

Reports of envenomation induced by Daboia siamensis, a medically important venomous snake in Taiwan, are rare, and species identification might not be definitive. This article reports the complete course of a definite D. siamensis bite. The patient in this report was one of the authors who was bitten on the right palm near the base of the index finger by D. siamensis. The patient experienced local effects, neurological manifestations, and acute kidney injury. The laboratory analysis revealed elevated D-dimer and coagulopathy. The patient was administered 8 vials of antivenom and did not undergo surgical intervention or endotracheal tube intubation, but serum sickness occurred 8 days after antivenom administration. The horse immunoglobulin produced by the Centers for Disease Control, R. O. C. (Taiwan), against D. siamensis was effective and safe in the treatment of the patient. However, the best antivenom administration strategy remains unclear and requires further study.