Elapidae (North American coral snake, many others world wide ... cobras, mambas ...)

Classification

• family of reptiles that includes venemous snakes worldwide including cobras, mambas & North American coral snakes

Epidemiology

• Eastern coral snakes are found in southeastern & gulf states & Arizona coral snakes in Arizona & New Mexico
• they are small, nocturnal, non aggressive snakes with brightly colored yellow, red & black rings
• they rarely bite humans
• Coral snake fangs are short & fixed, venom is injected via successive chewing movements

Pathology

• coral snake venom is neurotoxic causing neuromuscular block, respiratory & bulbar paralysis

Clinical manifestations

• little to no local symptoms
• systemic symptoms develop with 5 hours
  • numbness or weakness in region of bite
  • salivation
  • ataxia
  • dysphagia & dysarthria secondary to palatal & pharyngeal paralysis
  • ptosis
  • mydriasis
  • loss of deep tendon reflexes
  • respiratory paralysis
  • seizures
  • coma & death may occur 8-72 hours after severe envenomation
• multiple shallow fang punctures

Management

• North American coral snake antivenin available until Oct 2011

More general terms

• snake reptile

Additional terms

• North American coral snake antivenin
• snakebite