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Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 61. No. Supplement 1, 2022.

Review article

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.s1.10

Venomous Snakebites in Croatia, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment

Darinka Tunjić Pejak orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1193-2677 ; Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zagreb
Višnja Nesek Adam orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-6521-4136 ; Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zagreb; Clinic for Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Faculty of Medicine in Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University, Osijek
Ivana Srzić ; Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zagreb

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Abstract

Venomous snake bites are recognized as a major public health problem, affecting
mostly poor, underdeveloped areas in the tropical and subtropical areas. Every year, more than three
million bite cases and about 100,000 deaths are registered worldwide. Over the past years, 632 people
have been hospitalized in Croatia with only 3 deaths due to venomous snake bites. Favorable geographic
position, warm climate and great biodiversity of Croatia have resulted in the development of
a total of 15 species of snakes, of which only 3 are venomous: horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), the
common European viper (Vipera berus) and meadow viper (Vipera ursinii macrops). Snake venom envenomation
is called ophidism (greek ofis=snake). Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins and
toxins that have a wide range of toxic effects. The clinical presentation of ophidism is due to hematotoxic,
neurotoxic, myotoxic (cardiotoxic) and cytotoxic effects of venom. There is currently no test to
identify patients with a systemic spread of the venom, the diagnosis is made by a combination of diagnostic
tests, clinical symptoms and sings of systemic envenomation. Ophidism is a medical condition
that requires urgent treatment. Following first aid given at the scene, the patient should be transported
to the closest medical facility to assess the

Keywords

ophidism; epidemiology; diagnostics of ophidism; treatment

Hrčak ID:

281190

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/281190

Publication date:

1.6.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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