Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan
Snakebite envenomings continue to represent a major public health concern in Taiwan because of the presence of various venomous snakes whose habitats intersect with human activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics, complications, and management strategi...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| author | Yan-Chiao Mao Po-Yu Liu Kuo-Lung Lai Yi Luo Kuang-Ting Chen Chih-Sheng Lai |
| author_facet | Yan-Chiao Mao Po-Yu Liu Kuo-Lung Lai Yi Luo Kuang-Ting Chen Chih-Sheng Lai |
| author_sort | Yan-Chiao Mao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Snakebite envenomings continue to represent a major public health concern in Taiwan because of the presence of various venomous snakes whose habitats intersect with human activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics, complications, and management strategies associated with snakebite envenomings in Taiwan. Taiwan is inhabited by six principal venomous snakes: <i>Trimeresurus stejnegeri stejnegeri</i>, <i>Protobothrops mucrosquamatus</i>, <i>Deinagkistrodon acutus</i>, <i>Daboia siamensis</i>, <i>Naja atra</i>, and <i>Bungarus multicinctus</i>, each presenting distinct clinical challenges. The clinical manifestations vary from local symptoms such as pain, swelling, and necrosis to systemic complications including neurotoxicity, coagulopathy, and organ failure, depending on the species. Notable complications arising from these snakebite envenomings include necrotizing soft tissue infection, compartment syndrome, respiratory failure, and acute kidney injury, often necessitating intensive medical interventions. This review highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis, the prompt administration of antivenoms, and multidisciplinary care to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Future research is encouraged to enhance treatment efficacy, improve public awareness, and develop targeted prevention strategies. By identifying gaps in current knowledge and practice, this work contributes to the global literature on envenoming management and serves as a foundation for advancing clinical protocols and reducing snakebite-related morbidity and mortality in Taiwan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d3a0c1e512b48e785b82abde20a9819 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d3a0c1e512b48e785b82abde20a98192025-01-24T13:51:11ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512024-12-011711410.3390/toxins17010014Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in TaiwanYan-Chiao Mao0Po-Yu Liu1Kuo-Lung Lai2Yi Luo3Kuang-Ting Chen4Chih-Sheng Lai5Department of Medical Toxicology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard Sect. 4, Taichung 407204, TaiwanDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Infecious Diseases, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard Sect. 4, Taichung 407204, TaiwanDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650 Taiwan Boulevard Sect. 4, Taichung 407204, TaiwanLiuzhou Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Snake Injury Treatment Center, Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Liuzhou 545001, ChinaDepartment of Chinese Medicine, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, No. 6, Lugong Rd., Lukang Township, Changhua County 505029, TaiwanDepartment of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung 402202, TaiwanSnakebite envenomings continue to represent a major public health concern in Taiwan because of the presence of various venomous snakes whose habitats intersect with human activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics, complications, and management strategies associated with snakebite envenomings in Taiwan. Taiwan is inhabited by six principal venomous snakes: <i>Trimeresurus stejnegeri stejnegeri</i>, <i>Protobothrops mucrosquamatus</i>, <i>Deinagkistrodon acutus</i>, <i>Daboia siamensis</i>, <i>Naja atra</i>, and <i>Bungarus multicinctus</i>, each presenting distinct clinical challenges. The clinical manifestations vary from local symptoms such as pain, swelling, and necrosis to systemic complications including neurotoxicity, coagulopathy, and organ failure, depending on the species. Notable complications arising from these snakebite envenomings include necrotizing soft tissue infection, compartment syndrome, respiratory failure, and acute kidney injury, often necessitating intensive medical interventions. This review highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis, the prompt administration of antivenoms, and multidisciplinary care to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Future research is encouraged to enhance treatment efficacy, improve public awareness, and develop targeted prevention strategies. By identifying gaps in current knowledge and practice, this work contributes to the global literature on envenoming management and serves as a foundation for advancing clinical protocols and reducing snakebite-related morbidity and mortality in Taiwan.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/1/14venomous snakesvenomclinical manifestationslocal signssystemic signscomplications of envenoming |
| spellingShingle | Yan-Chiao Mao Po-Yu Liu Kuo-Lung Lai Yi Luo Kuang-Ting Chen Chih-Sheng Lai Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan Toxins venomous snakes venom clinical manifestations local signs systemic signs complications of envenoming |
| title | Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan |
| title_full | Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan |
| title_fullStr | Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan |
| title_short | Clinical Characteristics of Snakebite Envenomings in Taiwan |
| title_sort | clinical characteristics of snakebite envenomings in taiwan |
| topic | venomous snakes venom clinical manifestations local signs systemic signs complications of envenoming |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/1/14 |
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