Necrosis, haemorrhage and complement depletion following bites by the spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis).

Journal article

The Spitting Cobra, Naja nigricollis, is widely and densely distributed in Africa. Fourteen patients with proven N. nigricollis bites, who were seen in the savanna region of Nigeria, did not exhibit the neurological signs, such as cranial nerve lesions and respiratory paralysis, expected following Elapid poisoning. All had local swelling, in eight cases involving the entire limb, and ten developed local tissue necrosis. Spontaneous haemorrhage was detected in three cases and was the probable ...

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Authors: Warrell, D; Greenwood, B; Davidson, N; Ormerod, L; Prentice, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Quarterly journal of medicine
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 177
• Pages: 1-22
• Publication date: 1976-01-01
• ISSN: 0033-5622
• Language: English
• Keywords: Adolescent; Complement System Proteins; Snake Venoms; Snake Bites; Time Factors; Humans; Hemorrhage; Glycoproteins; Adult; Aged; Animals; Clot Retraction; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Female; Nigeria; Male; Child; Blood Platelet Disorders; Child, Preschool; Necrosis; Complement C3; Complement C4; Snakes; Antivenins; Injections, Intravenous