Abstract
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) ranks consistently as one of the most revered snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. It has potent neurotoxic venom, and envenomation results in rapid onset and severe clinical manifestations. This report describes the clinical course and reversal of effects of black mamba envenomation in a 13-year-old boy in the Jimba area of Malindi. The victim presented to Watamu Hospital, a low resource health facility with labored breathing, frothing at the mouth, severe ptosis and pupils non-responsive to light. His blood pressure was unrecordable, heart rate was 100 beats per minute but thready, his temperature was 35.5 °C, and oxygen saturation was 83%. Management involved suction to clear salivary secretions, several hours of mechanical ventilation via ambu-bagging, oxygen saturation monitoring, and the use of South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) polyvalent antivenom. Subcutaneous adrenaline was used to stave off anaphylaxis. The victim went into cardiac arrest on two occasions and chest compressions lasting 3–5 min was used to complement artificial ventilation. Hemodynamic instability was corrected using IV infusion of ringers lactate and normal saline (three liters over 24 h). Adequate mechanical ventilation and the use of specific antivenom remain key in the management of black mamba envenomation.
Highlights
BackgroundThe black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is an olive brown- to grey-colored snake with a characteristic white belly (Figure 1).It is native to eastern, southern and isolated parts of western Africa [1]
The black mamba is ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the species of highest medical importance in sub-Saharan Africa
We present a case report ofHthowe ecvlienri,ctahliscoisurnsoet owfibthlaocukt rmeaasmonb.aTehnevreenisoamtaottiaolnlaicnkaofruermapl haraesaisoofnKveennyoamaonuds sthnaekmebeidteical stepms uannadgeermtaeknetnintmo erdevicearlssechtohoelsefinfescutsb-oSfaheanrvaennAofmricaat.ioAnddinitiaonloawlly,rtehseorue racre fheewalptohisfoancicliotnyt.rol centers and no snakebite management protocols in the region
Summary
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is an olive brown- to grey-colored snake with a characteristic white belly (Figure 1). The black mamba is ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the species of highest medical importance in sub-Saharan Africa. This is on account of the potency of its venom, the rapid onset and severity of clinical manifestations, and its ability to strike fast and repeatedly [3]. A 13-year-old boy from Jimba in Watamu, Malindi Kenya was playing with his friends in a bushy area surrounding their homestead. He was bitten on his right leg by a snake which.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
