1
|
Zhang Z, Yang J, Fang J, Zhang J, Zeng L, Li J. Case Report: Snake Venom Ophthalmia Caused by Cobra Exposure: A Report of 26 Cases. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1393-1396. [PMID: 37931316 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We report 26 cases of eye injuries resulting from cobra venom sprayed by Naja atra. This accounts for 14.5% of patients (26/173) treated for cobra injuries who presented to the emergency department of a snakebite treatment center in Guangzhou, South China. Pain, blurred vision, lacrimation, photophobia, and foreign body sensation were the most common symptoms, found in 24 patients. Ophthalmic examination revealed eyelid swelling and conjunctival congestion. Eye slit lamp examination showed obvious punctate corneal epithelial defects in four patients. Five patients received an intravenous infusion of antivenom. All patients' eyes were rinsed completely with normal saline after their arrival at the hospital. Prophylactic topical antibiotics were given to all patients. All eyes were cured without long-term sequelae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zehan Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieyi Yang
- Department of Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Department of Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liangbo Zeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wster W, Tillack F. On the importance of types and the perils of en passant taxonomy: a brief history of the typification of Coluber naja Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes: Elapidae) and its implications, with the designation of a lectotype. Zootaxa 2023; 5346:403-419. [PMID: 38221330 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5346.4.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
In response to the recent in passing (en passant) taxonomic decision to split Naja naja (Linnaeus) and recognise the Sri Lankan populations as a separate species, N. polyocellata Deraniyagala, we analyse the evidence underlying the proposal and its nomenclatural implications. The proposed split is weakly supported by the available evidence, so that retaining N. naja as a single species seems appropriate until further analysis. Moreover, the proposal raises several issues concerning types, type locality and nomenclature. Linnaeus description of Coluber naja was based on a single preserved specimen seen by him (now lost) and several illustrations in Sebas Thesaurus. The specimens that were the basis of these illustrations constitute part of the type series. Two of the latter specimens, ZMB 2795 and 2796, have been rediscovered in the collections of the Museum fr Naturkunde, Berlin. Here, we describe them, and determine that both are of Sri Lankan origin. To settle the question of the type and type locality of this iconic taxon, we designate ZMB 2796 as lectotype for the species, thereby implicitly restricting the type locality to Sri Lanka. The name polyocellata thus becomes a subjective junior synonym of Coluber naja, and the name Naja brasiliensis Laurenti, 1768 an objective junior synonym thereof. Any taxonomic recognition of additional diversity within N. naja would thus require the renaming of Indian, not Sri Lankan spectacled cobras, but should await a significant body of convincing evidence. We caution against taxonomic decisions taken in passing, based on limited evidence and without in-depth assessment of their nomenclatural implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Wster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor; School of Natural Sciences; Bangor University; Bangor LL57 2UW; Wales; UK.
| | - Frank Tillack
- Museum fr Naturkunde; Leibniz-Institut fr Evolutions- und Biodiversittsforschung; Invalidenstrae 43; 10115 Berlin; Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Charoennitiwat V, Chaisiri K, Ampawong S, Laoungbua P, Chanhome L, Vasaruchapong T, Tawan T, Thaenkham U, Ratnarathorn N. Redescription and new record of Paracapillaria ( Ophidiocapillaria) najae (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in the monocled cobra Naja kaouthia from central Thailand: morphological and molecular insights. Parasitology 2023; 150:901-910. [PMID: 37519244 PMCID: PMC10577661 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The parasitic nematode Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae De, 1998, found in the Indian cobra Naja naja is redescribed and re-illustrated in the present study. The monocled cobra Naja kaouthia was discovered to be a new host for this parasite in central Thailand. A comprehensive description extending the morphological and molecular characteristics of the parasites is provided to aid species recognition in future studies. The morphometric characters of 41 parasites collected from 5 cobra specimens are compared with those described in the original studies. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes were performed to provide novel information on the systematics of P. najae. Similar characteristics were observed in the examined nematode samples, despite being found in different hosts, confirming their identity as P. najae. The molecular genetic results support the species status of P. najae, indicating P. najae is well defined and separated from other related nematode species in the family Capillariidae. Morphological descriptions, genetic sequences, evolutionary relationships among capillariids and new host and distribution records of P. najae are discussed. Paracapillaria najae specimens found in the Thai cobra had some morphological variation, and sexual size dimorphism was also indicated. Paracapillaria najae was found to infect various cobra host species and appeared to be common throughout the Oriental regions, consistent with its hosts' distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panithi Laoungbua
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lawan Chanhome
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Taksa Vasaruchapong
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanapong Tawan
- Snake Farm, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Urusa Thaenkham
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Napat Ratnarathorn
- Animal Systematics and Molecular Ecology Laboratory, and Applied Animal Science Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tansuwannarat P, Tongpoo A, Phongsawad S, Sriapha C, Wananukul W, Trakulsrichai S. A Retrospective Cohort Study of Cobra Envenomation: Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:468. [PMID: 37505737 PMCID: PMC10467073 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of envenomation involving cobra species in Thailand (Naja kaouthia, Naja siamensis, and Naja sumatrana). Data of patients who had been bitten by a cobra or inoculated via the eyes/skin in 2018-2021 were obtained from the Ramathibodi Poison Center. There were 1045 patients admitted during the 4-year study period (bite, n = 539; ocular/dermal inoculation, n = 506). Almost all patients with ocular/dermal inoculation had eye involvement and ocular injuries, but none had neurological effects. Most of the patients bitten by a cobra had local effects (69.0%) and neurological signs and symptoms (55.7%). The median interval between the bite and the onset of neurological symptoms was 1 h (range, 10 min to 24 h). Accordingly, patients should be observed closely in hospitals for at least 24 h after a bite. Intubation with ventilator support was required in 45.5% of patients and for a median duration of 1.1 days. Antivenom was administered in 63.5% of cases. There were nine deaths, most of which resulted from severe infection. Neurological effects and intubation were significantly more common after a monocled cobra bite than after a spitting cobra bite. The administration of antivenom with good supportive care, including the appropriate management of complications, especially wound infection, might decrease fatality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phantakan Tansuwannarat
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10540, Thailand; (P.T.); (S.P.)
- Ramathibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.T.); (C.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Achara Tongpoo
- Ramathibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.T.); (C.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Suraphong Phongsawad
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10540, Thailand; (P.T.); (S.P.)
| | - Charuwan Sriapha
- Ramathibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.T.); (C.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Winai Wananukul
- Ramathibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.T.); (C.S.); (W.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Satariya Trakulsrichai
- Ramathibodi Poison Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.T.); (C.S.); (W.W.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ratnarathorn N, Nadolski B, Sumontha M, Hauser S, Suntrarachun S, Khunsap S, Laoungbua P, Radcliffe CA, Vasaruchapong T, Tawan T, Chanhome L. An expanded description, natural history, and genetic variation of the recently described cobra species Naja fuxi Shi et al., 2022. VZ 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e89339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The morphological variation, extended distribution, and sequence divergence of a recently described of cobra Naja fuxiShi et al., 2022 captured from mountainous areas in Thailand are evaluated by using molecular and morphological analyses. We investigated the genetic variation and affinities of 72 specimens in the genus Naja by using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and control region) and the nuclear DNA gene, C-mos. Morphological examination was conducted for 33 cobra specimens obtained from the northern, western, and north-eastern regions, and data on their natural history were gathered during field surveys. A high degree of genetic differentiation was shown to exist between the cobras collected from lowlands and those from mountainous areas. N. fuxi occurs in uplands bordering Thailand’s Central Basin, whereas the similar looking N. kaouthia Lesson, 1831 is more or less restricted to the lowlands. All phylogenetic and network analyses supported a distinct clade of N. fuxi from north, west, and, north-east regions. In addition, N. fuxi seems to exhibit a split between the north-eastern population and those from the north and west. The range of N. fuxi probably extends far into the mountainous areas of the neighbouring countries Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Morphologically, N. fuxi in Thailand can be distinguished from all other cobra species in the adjacent Oriental Region. The speciation of cobras in Thailand likely reflects key events in the region’s geographical, climate and environmental history.
Collapse
|