Aj. Trevett et al., ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS ENVENOMED FOLLOWING THE BITE OF A PAPUAN TAIPAN (OXYURANUS-SCUTELLATUS-CANNI), Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89(4), 1995, pp. 415-417
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Tropical Medicine
Electrophysiological studies were done on patients with systemic neuro
toxicity following the bite of a Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus
canni). Evoked compound muscle action potentials decreased and increas
ed in tandem with clinical deterioration and recovery. Nerve conductio
n velocities did not change in envenomed patients and were consistent
with control studies. Repetitive nerve stimulation studies showed decr
emental responses in envenomed patients with post-tetanic potentiation
followed by post-tetanic exhaustion. The findings are consistent with
studies in vitro which suggested that the major action of neurotoxins
in Australian taipan venom is at the synapse. The observation that el
ectrophysiological data correlate closely with the clinical condition
of the patient has potential application in the assessment of interven
tions in the management of snake bite victims.