Haemotoxic snakebite in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A case presenting with haematemesis

Abstract

A 36-year-old man who had been bitten on his left index finger by a snake identified as a boomslang (Dispholidus typus) presented with haematemesis and hypovolaemic shock. Coagolopathy was presumed, and the platelet count was 2 × 10⁹/L. Findings on upper endoscopy included oesophageal petechial haemorrhages, severe haemorrhagic gastritis and an antral ulcer. The patient was successfully managed using freeze-dried plasma, packed red blood cells, isotonic crystalloids and polyvalent antivenom.