Citation

Trevett AJ, Lalloo DG, Nwokolo NC, Theakston RDG, Naraqi S, Warrell DA. Toxicon 1995; 33(5): 703-705.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7660375

Abstract

The bites of six species of venomous elapid snakes in Central Province Papua New Guinea produce similar clinical syndromes. Optimal management of envenomed patients involves the use of monospecific antivenom. In this study, Venom Detection Kits (VDKs) (CSL Diagnostics, Melbourne) were used to try to make a specific diagnosis in envenomed patients at their admission. VDKs detected venom in admission bite site swabs from 39 to 46 patients (85%). Thirty-eight of these patients were shown to have been bitten by taipans. In all cases where venom was detected by the VDK, this correlated with subsequent laboratory enzyme immunoassay results. Selective use of VDKs in Central Province could allow more widespread use of monospecific antivenoms and produce considerable financial savings.

Language: en