Severe neurotoxic envenoming by the Malayan krait Bungarus candidus (Linnaeus): response to antivenom and anticholinesterase.

Five patients were bitten by the Malayan krait Bungarus candidus (Linnaeus) in eastern Thailand or north western Malaya. Two patients were not envenomed but the other three developed generalised paralysis which progressed to respiratory paralysis in two cases, one of which ended fatally. One patient...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Warrell, D, Looareesuwan, S, White, N, Theakston, R, Warrell, M, Kosakarn, W, Reid, H
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 1983
Description
Summary:Five patients were bitten by the Malayan krait Bungarus candidus (Linnaeus) in eastern Thailand or north western Malaya. Two patients were not envenomed but the other three developed generalised paralysis which progressed to respiratory paralysis in two cases, one of which ended fatally. One patient showed parasympathetic abnormalities. Anticholinesterase produced a dramatic improvement in one patient. Another patient probably benefited from paraspecific antivenom. The efficacy of antivenoms and adjuvants such as anticholinesterases in patients with neurotoxic envenoming requires further study.