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The Common Krait
The Common Krait
- Scientific name = Bungarus caeruleus
- It is an Elapidae Snake.
- Found All over India
- Local names = KALACH, Kalachiti, Seorchanda, Domnachiti , Ghamchata. Kala gandait, Kala taro etc.
IDENTIFICATION
- Non Hooded snake.
- Average length 2.5 feet.
- Glistening black colour.
- Slender white bands over body.
- Calm & quite night snake.
VENOM
- Strong Neurotoxic (presynaptic) Venom.
- There is no local pain or swelling.
- Fatal dose : One milligram only.
- Inj. Neostigmine doesn't give much benefit in management of a bite case.
THE MYSTERY
- Causes painless bite.
- Very fine almost invisible bite mark.
- Comes to the open floor bed.
- Variable period of onset of symptoms and signs.
- There may be Bizarre presentation.
Common Presentation Of A Bite Case
- Giddiness & Weakness.
- Pain Abdomen.
- Sore throat.
- Multiple joint pain.
- Vomiting.
- Convulsions.
DIAGNOSIS
- By High degree of suspicion.
- History of open floor bed last night.
- Most of the time there is no H/O any bite.
- No other physical abnormality.
- Acute bilateral ptosis.
- No improvement by Inj. Neostigmine.
MANAGEMENT
- Immediate infusion of AVS (Snake antivenin).
- Delay in AVS may lead to respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Sleeping on Open floor bed is the main history.
- Presentation may be variable.
- H/O any bite usually absent.
- Development of Acute Bilateral Ptosis is pathognomonic in endemic area.
- Appearance of Pain abdomen in the coming morning.
- Rapid infusion of AVS helps in management.
- Delay in AVS may lead to respiratory failure.
Further Reading:
- toxinology.com.[Online].Available from: http://toxinology.com/fusebox.cfmfuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0015.
- Whitaker R. COMMON INDIAN SNAKES-A Field Guide: MACMILLAN INDIA LIMITED; 2006.
- Karmakar RN. FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY: Academic Publishers.
- Nandy A. PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE: New Central Book Agency.
