Crotalidae (pit vipers)

Named for heat-sensitive between their nostrils & eyes. Pit vipers consist of rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths & masasaugas. Venom from pit vipers contain numerous proteolytic enzymes that cause local soft tissue necrosis, hemolysis & hemorrhage. Clinical manifestations: 1) local manifestations a) severe, burning local pain, develops rapidly b) delayed manifestations - swelling - erythema - ecchymosis - bullae - compartment syndrome c) fang puncture marks 2) systemic manifestations a) fever b) nausea & vomiting c) delirium d) seizures (convulsive) f) myalgias g) perioral paresthesias h) bleeding: hematemesis, hematuria i) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) j) acute renal failure k) shock with circulatory collapse may occur 30 minutes or more following the snakebite Management: - Crotalidae immune F(ab')2

Specific

copperhead cottonmouth (water moccasin, Agkistrodon piscivorus) Echis carinatus; Indian saw-scaled viper rattlesnake Terciopelo; Bothrops asper; fer-de-lance; lancehead; Bothrops atrox

Properties

KINGDOM: animal PHYLUM: chordate SUBPHYLUM: vertebrate ORGANISM-CLASS: REPTILIA GENUS: Crotalidae

References

Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 1175-77