Severe neurotoxic envenomation following cobra bite in Northern Nigeria: A report of three cases

Abstract

Cobra is a common snake throughout Africa and Asia, however, there are few literatures reporting neurotoxic cobra bite from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Northern Nigeria. Here, we report 3 cases that were bitten by cobra in the savannah region of Nigeria. All the 3 cases presented with features of severe neurotoxic envenomation: generalized hypotonia, ptosis, and features of autonomic dysfunction, which include excessive salivation and sweating. One of the 3 victims progressed to develop respiratory paralysis that resulted in death. The other 2 cases survived after receiving polyvalent anti-snake venom.