Summary
The natural course of defibrination syndrome caused by Echis colorata venom (ECV)
in five patients is reported. All patients developed afibrinogenemia within six hours
after the bite. Concomitantly a depression in factor V was recorded. Factor VIII and
thrombocyte count in blood were normal in most patients. In the light of the known
effects of ECV on blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro it is concluded that the
afibrinogenemia is due to intravascular clotting.
Four patients had transient renal damage, manifested by oliguria, azotemia, albuminuria
and cylindruria, ascribed to microthrombi in the renal glomeruli.
After the bite, the natural course was benign, no major bleeding was observed, and
all signs of coagulopathy reverted to normal within 7 days. Therefore we recommend
no specific treatment for this condition. In the case of heavily bleeding patients,
administration of antiserum against ECV and/or heparin should be considered.
