ABSTRACT
I. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................424 II. Epidemiology .......................................................................................................................424 III. Overview of Snake Fauna .................................................................................................... 425 A. Elapids ............................................................................................................................ 425 B. Colubrids ........................................................................................................................ 425 IV. Overview of Venoms and Clinical Effects ........................................................................... 425 A. Neurotoxins and Neurotoxicity ...................................................................................... 425 B. Myotoxins and Myotoxicity ........................................................................................... 427 C. Hemostatic System Toxins and Coagulopathy ............................................................... 428 D. Nephrotoxicity ................................................................................................................ 428 E. Cardiotoxicity ................................................................................................................. 429 F. Local Venom Effects ...................................................................................................... 429 V. Overview of Management of Envenomation ........................................................................ 429 A. First Aid.......................................................................................................................... 430 B. Diagnosis ........................................................................................................................ 430 C. History ............................................................................................................................ 431 D. Examination ................................................................................................................... 431 E. Investigations .................................................................................................................. 433 F. Venom Detection ............................................................................................................ 434 G. Differential Diagnosis .................................................................................................... 435 VI. Approach to Treatment ......................................................................................................... 435 A. Specic Treatment-Antivenoms .................................................................................. 436 B. Nonspecic Treatment.................................................................................................... 437 C. Complications ................................................................................................................. 438 D. Prevention ....................................................................................................................... 438 E. Risk Groups .................................................................................................................... 439 VII. Detailed Consideration of Important Dangerous Snakes ..................................................... 439 A. Brown Snake Group ....................................................................................................... 439 B. Tiger Snake Group .........................................................................................................440 C. Black/Mulga Snake Group .............................................................................................442 D. Taipans ...........................................................................................................................447 E. Death Adders ..................................................................................................................448 F. Sea Snakes ......................................................................................................................449 G. Other Venomous Snakes ................................................................................................449 VIII. Future Directions ..................................................................................................................449 References ......................................................................................................................................449
