A bite by the Twin-Barred Tree Snake, Chrysopelea pelias (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Introduction. The Twin-Barred Tree Snake, Chrysopelea pelias, is a colubrine that, like other members of the genus Chrysopelea, is able to glide in the arboreal strata. Little is known about the effects of its bite. This report is the first clinically documented bite by this relatively uncommon rear-fanged species. Case report. The patient was a 19-year-old female who arrived at the Emergency Department (ED) of an urban teaching hospital 6 h after being bitten by a snake that was later provisionally identified as a C. pelias. Noted on presentation were bite marks on the right middle toe with minimal inflammation and tenderness. There was slight numbness over the dorsum of the right foot and discomforting sensation radiating up the thigh that persisted for several days. There was mild pyrexia, but no evidence of any systemic effects. The full blood count did show neutrophil leucocytosis, and transient hemoglobinuria was noted in an initial urine analysis. Discussion . The properties of Duvernoy's secretion of C. pelias remain uncharacterized. In this case, the clinical course featured only the local effects noted above. However, the significant local pain reported by the patient suggests that bites by C. pelias are not necessarily trivial and do require full evaluation and observation in a medical facility. Discussed also is the importance of the establishment of a national registry for animal bites and stings in Malaysia. Conclusion. Such a facility could expedite safe and appropriate management of envenomed patients.

Keywords:

• Chrysopelia pelias
• Twin-Barred Tree Snake
• Snake bite
• Emergency Department

Acknowledgments

The authors are deeply grateful to Dr. Mohamad Ngah, Director of National Zoo Malaysia, and his team, Mr. Tayalan Raman, En Hamdan Abdul Hamid, En Mohd Hafiz Abdullah, and En Mohd Shaiful Nizam Mad Jusuh. Special thanks to Mr. Reuben Clements and Mr. Mark Ryan Darmaraj from WWF Malaysia, Dr. Abraham Mathew from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Malaysia, and En Saiful Nadzri from the Institute of Medical Research, Malaysia for their assistance.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.