Citation

Norris RL, Pfalzgraf RR, Laing G. Toxicon 2009; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Surgery/Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.01.032

PMID

19470324

Abstract

We report the first documented death due to a coral snake (Micrurus species) in the United States (U.S.) in over 40 years. The victim failed to seek medical care following the bite of an eastern coral snake (M. fulvius) and succumbed within hours. Post-mortem proof of envenomation was obtained using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) developed specifically for this investigation. U.S. coral snakes are briefly reviewed in terms of their venom compositions, their clinical effects, and proper pre-hospital and hospital management. The clinical significance of the impending absence of commercially available antivenom for coral snake bites in the U.S. is highlighted.

Language: en