CASE-REPORT

A 45 year old male working as a labourer in the agricultural sector was brought to the emergency room with complaints of difficulty in opening the eye-lids, dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and progressive weakness in all four limbs, after awakening from sleep. At presentation, patient had no spontaneous respiratory efforts and was deeply cyanosed. Endotracheal intubation was performed immediately and the patient was mechanically ventilated. Physical examination revealed an afebrile patient with a heart rate of 130 beats/minute and blood pressure of 160/100 mm Hg. He was comatose with absent motor responses to painful stimuli, complete ptosis, external, and internal ophthalmoplegia. Deep tendon reflexes and plantars were absent. Fang marks typical of snakebite were noted in the right middle finger. Patient was started on anti-snake venom (Haffkine Institute, Mumbai) at a dose of 100 mL stat followed by 50 mL at 6 hours, deep venous thrombosis and stress ulcer prophylaxis along with supportive care. Arterial blood gas analysis, serum electrolytes, liver, and renal function tests done were within normal limits. After initiation of …