The effects of snakebite on haematological and clotting parameters of snakebite victims attending the Snakebite Research, Training and Treatment Centre Kaltungo, Gombe State Nigeria

Abstract

Snakebite has diverse and serious consequences such as clinical, psychological and economical. It is often referred to as plague, pandemic and medical emergency; yet it has been long neglected. One of the clinical effects is haemotoxic effect. Although the exact prevalence of snakebite is not known and is usually grossly under estimated, it is said to be far more than 5 million annually and accounts for high prevalence of morbidity and mortality. The effect of snakebite is more pronounced in the Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions of the world and is common in at least 12 States of Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of haemotoxic snakebite on some clotting and haematological parameters in Kaltungo, Gombe State. It is a cross-sectional study involving 200 snakebite victims and 100 control subjects. A total of 8ml of whole blood was collected from each participant, following pre-established standard protocols and used to determine the Clotting profile using Stago (Start Max) semi-automated machine; Full Blood Count (FBC) using MacJefferson's Haematology Analyzer.  The data (subjects and control result obtained were analyzed using SPSS Statistic Version 20.0 software (SPSS) Inc. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant in all comparism. Significant mean ranks were obtained for RBC (P<0.0015), platelet, Hb, lymphocyte and MXD (P<0.0001) while insignificant mean ranks were obtained for WBC (P>0.532) PCV (P>0.073) and neutrophil (P>0.059). Significant mean ranks were obtained for PT, INR, APTT, TT and FIB (P=0.0001). In conclusion, the result of this study has demonstrated that haemotoxic snakebite has effect on clotting and haematological parameters and shows the need for their inclusion in the management of haemotoxic snakebite victims.