Report of a bite by the South American colubrid snake Philodryas olfersii latirostris (Squamata: Colubridae)

摘要

Following the bite of Philodryas olfersii latirostris Cope, 1862, a 29-year-oldmale herpetologist developed localized and burning pain, and minimal bleeding fromthe puncture marks of posterior maxillary teeth, which subsided rapidly. The victimdeveloped no other local signs or symptoms. After few days the victim presented persistentsevere rotatory dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. On examination his hearingwas normal. Neurological exam was otherwise normal. The patient had acute vertiginoussymptoms but had no associated neurological signs. Computed tomography didnot show abnormality. A diagnosis of labyrinthine syndrome was made. It was treatedconservatively, and the patient recovered uneventfully. It was assumed as an effect ofophitoxemia. This case may be regarded as an unusual presentation of systemic envenomingfollowing a human bite by Philodryas olfersii latirostris.