@article{ref1,
title="Exotic snakebites reported to Pennsylvania poison control centers: lessons learned  on the demographics, clinical effects, and treatment of these cases",
journal="Toxins (Basel)",
year="2020",
author="Miller, Stephen W. and Osterhoudt, Kevin C. and Korenoski, Amanda S. and Patel, Ketan and Vaiyapuri, Sakthivel",
volume="12",
number="12",
pages="e755-e755",
abstract="Exotic snakebites (i.e. from non-native species) are a rare occurrence, but they  present a unique challenge to clinicians treating these patients. Poison control  centers are often contacted to assist in the management and care of these medical  emergencies. In this study, we analyzed case records of the two Pennsylvania poison  control centers from 2004 to 2018 to describe clinical features reported as a result  of exotic snakebite envenomation. For the 15-year period reviewed, 18 exotic  snakebites were reported with effects ranging from mild local tissue injury to  patients who were treated with mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. The mean age of the patients was 35 years and males accounted for 83% of the cases. Antivenom, the only specific treatment, was administered in seven of 18 patients  within an average of four h of envenomation. The procurement of antivenom against  these exotic species may require substantial logistical efforts due to limited  stocking of this rarely used treatment. Newer, targeted, small molecule treatments  that are being currently investigated may aid in the treatment of snakebites in  general. However, people should be cautious when handling these exotic species, and  clinicians should be aware of these bites and relevant clinical effects in order to  manage these when reported.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2072-6651",
doi="10.3390/toxins12120755",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins12120755"
}