Envenomations accidental

A bite is the usual route of envenomation from the centipede. The hand is a common bite site. There is one case reported in the literature of accidental ingestion. 

B. If the snake is available, attempt to have it identified by a herpetologist. Cau-f/on Accidental envenomation may occur even after the snake is dead. 

Exposure. Black widows may invade suburban lawns and gardens, presenting a risk to peis and humans that accidentally encounter a nesting area. Both females and males are toxic, but only the female Is large enough to envenomate an animal. 

The effect of antivenom administration on the kinetics of Vipera aspis envenomation was also examined. Radiolabelled Vipera aspis venom was injected intramuscularly to mimic the route of administration in case of accidental envenomations. The use of a radiolabelled venom allowed the quantification of plasma venom components free and bound to antivenom antibodies. Free venom proteins were detected by ELISA. The plasma concentration time profile of venom in antivenom-treated animals is shown in Figure 2. The plasma concentration curves measured by counting radioactivity or by ELISA superimposed before the administration of the antivenom. After intravenous injection of 125 mg of IPSER Europe serum, the total venom concentrations in plasma rapidly increased more than ten-fold and remained elevated during three days, whereas the plasma levels of free venom antigens measured by ELISA rapidly decreased and remained undetectable for the same period of time. Antivenom Fab 2 administration therefore results in the immunocomplexation of venom proteins in the vascular compartment and in the plasma redistribution of venom antigens from the extravascular compartment to the vascular compartment. 

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