Clinical features of twig snake (Thelotornis capensis) envenomation
Atkinson, P.M.; Bradlow, B.A.; White, J.A.; Greig, H.B.; Gaillard, M.C.
South African Medical Journal 58(25): 1007-1011
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7444704 Document Number: 164246
A case of disseminated intravascular coagulation in a 13 yr old boy caused by a bite from a twig snake (T. kirtlandii capensis) was described. The coagulant enzyme was a single-chain molecule with a MW of 56,000. It was able to activate prothrombin and factor X and weakly accelerate fibrinolysis. Its action on synthetic chromogenic substrates was described. Boomslang antivenom was unable to block twig snake venom and the implications of this regarding treatment were discussed.