LIFE-THREATENING ANAPHYLAXIS FOLLOWING ENVENOMATION BY 2 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF CROTALIDAE

Anaphylactic reaction to snake venom occurs rarely but is a risk in th ose victims with previous exposure to venomous snakes and their venom. We present the case of a herpetologist who suffered acute, life-threa tening anaphylaxis on two separate occasions following envenomation by two different species of rattlesnake. On both occasions the patient r eceived treatment for anaphylaxis within minutes of being bitten and r esponded well. Administration of crotalidae antivenin was unnecessary. Snake venom is a heterologous mixture of proteins and other chemicals and is able to provoke immune sensitization to its components in huma ns. Antigenic similarities are often present in venoms of different sp ecies. IgE and IgG have been demonstrated in sera from patients who ha ve suffered snake venom anaphylaxis. This case testifies to the immuno genicity of rattlesnake venom across species.