Micrurus tschudii
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Family: Elapidae
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Subfamily: Elapinae
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Genus: Micrurus
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Species: tschudii
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Subspecies: tschudii , olssoni
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Common Names
Desert Coral Snake
M. t. tschudii : Tschudi's Coral Snake , Southern Desert Coral Snake
M. t. olssoni : Olsson's Coral Snake , Northern Desert Coral Snake
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Local Names
Chaquira , Coral , Coralillo , Naca-naca , Wata Watu , Serpiente de Coral , Vibora de Coral , Coral del Desierto
M. t. tschudii : Coral Surena del Desierto
M. t. olssoni : Coral Nortena del Desierto
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Region
South America
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Countries
Peru
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 0.30 m
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General Shape
Very small to small in length, slender bodied coral snake with a very short tail. Usually only averages about 0.35 metres but a maximum of about 0.88 metres has been recorded. Head is small, rounded and barely distinct from neck. Eyes are moderately small in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and glossy without apical pits. Supra-anal keels are absent in males. Dorsal scale count 15 - 15 - 15.
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Habitat
Tropical dry deciduous forest, dry tropical forest and desert thorn scrub in coastal valleys.
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Habits
Diurnal and terrestrial snake.
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Prey
Feeds mainly on legless lizards, geckos and small snakes.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Postsynaptic neurotoxins
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Systemic myotoxins present
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Probably not present
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Probably not present
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Probably not present
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General: Venom Other
Unknown
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be low
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but has caused deaths
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General: Local Effects
Minimal local effects, to local pain & swelling only
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General: Local Necrosis
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
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General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Commonly develop flaccid paralysis
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General: Myotoxicity
Common, usually mild to moderate
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Renal Damage
Recognised complication, usually secondary to myolysis
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Uncommon to rare, usually secondary effect
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General: Other
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites by Elapid snakes which do not cause significant injury at the bite site (see Comments for partial listing), but which may have the potential to cause significant general (systemic) effects, such as paralysis, muscle damage, or bleeding.
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Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment. 2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged. For Australian snakes only, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with later venom detection once in a hospital. 3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops. 4. If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage (even torn strips of clothing or pantyhose) should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as for a sprain; not so tight circulation is impaired), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes, going over the top of clothing rather than risking excessive limb movement by removing clothing. The bitten limb should then be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling. 5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention. 6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock. 7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration. 8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites. 9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back. 10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Bites by coral snakes can cause potentially lethal paralysis & myolysis; all cases should be admitted for 24hrs+ and given AV if paralysis develops, + support of respiration, as required.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Minimal to mild local reaction + flaccid paralysis
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General Approach to Management
All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases.
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Antivenom Therapy
Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required.
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1. Antivenom Code: SAmNIA04
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Antivenom Name: Antimicrurus
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Manufacturer: Instituto Nacional de Produccion de Biologics A.N.L.I.S.
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Phone: ++54-11-4303-1806 (to 11)
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Address: Avdo. Velez Sarsfield 563, CP 1281 Buenos Aires,
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Country: Argentina
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2. Antivenom Code: SAmFED05
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Antivenom Name: Soro Anti-Elapidico
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Manufacturer: Fundacao Ezequiel Dias - FUNED
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Phone: ++55-31-3371-9525
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Address: Rua Conde Pereira Carneiro, 80 - Gameleria Belo Horizonte, MG - CEP 30510-010
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Country: Brazil
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3. Antivenom Code: SAmIBM08
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Antivenom Name: Coralmyn
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Manufacturer: Instituto Bioclon
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Phone: ++56-65-41-11
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Address: Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4687 Toriello Guerra C.P. 14050 Mexico, D.F.,
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Country: Mexico
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Images
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Micrurus tschudii ( Desert Coral Snake ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Wolfgang Wuster ]
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