Marked Hypofibrinogenemia and Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Envenomation.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Compared with other crotaline envenomations, copperhead envenomations have historically been reported as having less severe hematologic venom effects and rarely hemorrhage. We report a case of clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding after a copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) envenomation. A 52-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus was bitten on her right medial ankle after which hypofibrinogenemia and hematochezia developed. The symptoms resolved after repeated administration of Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine) antivenom. She was discharged without further complications 2 days later. Although copperhead envenomations are classically considered less severe than other crotaline envenomations, this case demonstrates the potential of the venom to produce clinically significant hematologic effects.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Kopec, KT; Yen, M; Bitner, M; Evans, CS; Gerardo, CJ
Published Date
- December 2015
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 26 / 4
Start / End Page
- 488 - 490
PubMed ID
- 26432425
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1545-1534
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.wem.2015.07.002
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States