The Clinical Course of Patients Underwent Dry Bite of Viper Snakes in the Referral Poisoning Center in Isfahan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dry bite in snakebite is when progressive local symptoms, systemic manifestations, and laboratory disorders are not seen, generally there is no need for antivenom. The purpose of this research was to investigate the pattern of dry bites and their treatment outcome in the referral center.

In this cross-sectional study, patients with viper bites who were admitted to the poisoning department of Khurshid Hospital in Isfahan from April 2013 to 2019 as dry bites; were studied. Demographic characteristics, local, systemic, and laboratory symptoms of these patients were collected and analyzed.

During this period, 47 patients (33.81% of all snakebites) had dry bites. Bites were more common in men and more in spring and summer, and the north of Isfahan province than in other regions. Snake bites were more frequent in the upper limbs, lower limbs and, trunk, respectively. The most common symptom of the patients was pain at the bite site (63.8%), which improved with anti-inflammatory drugs in 63.8% and without any specific treatment in 36.2% of cases. During hospitalization and follow-up, the patients did not have any complications.

Pain was the most common symptom in hospitalized patients with dry bites caused by viper bites; However, many snakebite patients did not require antivenom. This finding can indicate that pain at the bite site alone does not justify the requirement to receive antivenom.