Crotalus durissus terrificus (viperidae; crotalinae) envenomation: Respiratory failure and treatment with antivipmyn TRI ^® antivenom

We report an envenomation to a professional herpetologist by a South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) that resulted in respiratory failure, and therapeutic improvement following antivenom administration. A 56-year-old male was bitten on the left wrist by a Crotalus durissus terrificus (C. d. terrificus) while attempting to tube the snake for maintaining safe control while performing venom extraction. The patient was intubated due to rapidly ensuing respiratory failure and administration of Antivipmyn-TRI ^® was initiated while being transported via ambulance. The patient was admitted to the hospital unconscious and unresponsive. Mechanical ventilation was required until 5 h after completion of antivenom administration. No significant adverse effects were observed with antivenom administration. The patient was discharged approximately 55 h following envenomation. This is the first reported case in the United States of a patient following a C. d. terrificus envenomation with consequent respiratory failure, and in which Antivipmyn-TRI ^® was successfully administered.