Effect of antivenom therapy on serum venom levels in Viperidae’s family snakebite cases in Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of antivenom on venomous snakebite patients by measuring changes in serum venom levels and laboratory values; also, to perform a clinical correlation. Material and methods: The study design was observational and descriptive. The snake antivenom (Antivipmyn) used was derived from equine antibodies and is specific for species in Mexico. Results: Twenty-three patients were included for analysis. Only 1 patient (4.3%) had an adverse reaction to the antivenom. No deaths were reported and 97% of patients had their serum venom levels neutralized and improved laboratory values in patients with leukocytosis (100%) and elevated PTT (83%). We observed a positive (0.75) and significant (p ≤ 0.01) correlation between serum venom levels and the snakebite severity score. Conclusions: We observed that almost all patients venom was completely neutralized, and laboratory values showed statistically significant improvement.

Keywords

• Antivenom therapy. Antivipmyn. Serum venom levels. Clinical correlation. Venomous snakebite.