Abstract

BackgroundTo describe the characteristics, clinical presentations, management and complications of snakebites in the border region between Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Buraimi, Sultanate of Oman.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe carried out a retrospective review of medical records to study snakebite cases over four-year duration at three tertiary hospitals. Overall, 64 snakebite cases were studied with median hospitalization of 2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1–4) days. The majority of cases were male (87.5%), and most (61%) of the incidents occurred during summer months. The bite sites were predominantly (95%) to the feet and hands. Main clinical features included pain, local swelling, and coagulopathy, blistering and skin peeling. Overall, there were no deaths, but few major complications occurred; extensive skin peeling (n = 5, 8%), multi-organ failure (n = 1, 1.5%), and compartment syndrome (n = 1, 1.5%). Polyvalent anti snake venom (ASV), analgesia, tetanus toxoid, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics such as ampicillin, cloxacillin, and cephalosporins were commonly instituted as part of treatment protocols in the three hospitals.ConclusionThe overwhelming majority of bites occurred during summer months, and envenomations were more common in, relatively, young male farmers, but with no serious clinical complications. Prevention and treatment strategies should include increasing public awareness, developing management guidelines, and manufacturing specific ASV for a wide spectrum of the local venomous snakes.

Highlights

  • Snakebites are a common problem in many parts of the world and account for a considerable morbidity and mortality due to envenomation [1,2]

  • The overwhelming majority of bites occurred during summer months, and envenomations were more common in, relatively, young male farmers, but with no serious clinical complications

  • Recent studies have shown that snake envenomation is more common among poor communities with the highest burden of mortality being reported in countries least able to cope with the high cost of anti snake venom (ASV) treatment [3]

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Summary

Introduction

Snakebites are a common problem in many parts of the world and account for a considerable morbidity and mortality due to envenomation [1,2]. Recent studies have shown that snake envenomation is more common among poor communities with the highest burden of mortality being reported in countries least able to cope with the high cost of anti snake venom (ASV) treatment [3]. Such burden has been reported in, among other countries, South and Southeast-Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa [2,4]. Clinical presentations, management and complications of snakebites in the border region between Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Buraimi, Sultanate of Oman

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