2024/07/13 by Ikuabe, Peter Ogie, Jumbo, Johnbull, Ebuenyi, Ikenna Desmond +2
#Acute Asthma #Envenomation #Internal Medicine #Snake bite
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v13i2.99
Background: Although the cytolytic, neurotoxic and haemolytic actions of snake venoms are well known, the ability of snake venom to induce asthma (as a distinct entity from just difficulty in breathing) is not previously reported in the literature. Methods: The case records of the patient in the index case and a review of existing literature using online search via google, medline and pubmed with the following key words Snake bite; envenomation and acute asthma were utilized. Results: We report the case of a 42 year Nigerian fisherman, not a previously known asthmatic, who was bitten by a snake and developed acute asthma in 30 minutes. Conclusion: Acute Asthma after snake bite in the absence of signs of envenomation is rare. A high index of suspicion is needed in identifying this probable condition in patients exposed to snake bite. There is need for further investigation into the pathogenesis for this presentation.