Further Observations of Renal Insufficiency in Snakebite

Abstract

Acute renal insufficiency was observed in two patients bitten by Russell’s vipers. Both patients had bleeding symptoms presumably due to disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was mild intravascular hemolysis. The serum β-1 C globulin was decreased in both cases. Renal biopsy showed tubular necrosis and arteritis. By immunofluorescent study deposition of β-1 C globulin was noted in the arterial lesion, the glomerular mesangium, and the arteriolar wall. Immunoglobulin and fibrin deposits could not be detected.