Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome a Hitherto Unreported Complication of Humpnosed Viper Envenomation

Abstract

Merrem’s humpnosed viper bite is known to cause incoagulable blood, acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, Raynaud’s phenomenon and gangrene of the distal limb. Venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy (VICC) is the commonest coagulopathy that occurs following snake envenomation which is characterised by prolonged clotting times. In a small proportion of patients with VICC, microangiopathy is also seen. The authors report a novel case of haemolytic uraemic syndrome following a merrem’s humpnosed viper bite, which highlights the need for comprehensive and serial haematological evaluation to detect the condition and initiate timely plasma exchange. The authors recommend screening of all victims of humpnosed viper bite for haemolytic uremic syndrome which might otherwise be overlooked and stress the need for further studies to see the role of haemolytic uremic syndrome following humpnosed viper bite.