Citation

Watt G, Padre L, Tuazon L, Theakston RDG, Laughlin L. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 1988; 39(3): 306-311.

Affiliation

U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2, APO San Francisco, California 96528.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Publisher American Society of Tropical Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3177741

Abstract

We studied 39 patients envenomed by the Philippine cobra (Naja naja philippinensis). Neurotoxicity occurred in 38 cases and was the predominant clinical feature. Respiratory paralysis developed in 19 patients, and was often rapid in onset--in 3 cases apnea occurred within 30 min of the bite. There were 2 deaths, both in patients who were moribund upon arrival at the hospital. Three patients developed necrosis, and 14 individuals with systemic symptoms had no local swelling. Both cardiotoxicity and reliable nonspecific signs of envenoming were absent. Bites by the Philippine cobra produce a distinctive clinical picture characterized by severe neurotoxicity of rapid onset and minimal local tissue damage.

Language: en