Although very rare in a European context, a bite from the black mamba Dendroaspis polylepis is an event that poses an immediate threat to life. Given the content of neurotoxins in the snake's venom, the mortality of envenomation reaches 100% in almost every case if ventilation is not provided in a timely manner and adequate therapy initiated. The report describes a case of a snake breeder being envenomed. This 31-year-old man was bitten by a black mamba on his finger, and who subsequently developed clinical symptoms of envenoming typical for the species. Thanks to mechanical ventilation being employed promptly, with myorelaxation during generalized muscle fasciculations, and particularly owing to the eventual antivenin therapy, the patient's condition settled without consequences. In addition to describing the given case in detail, the paper discusses the composition and mechanisms of action of black mamba venom, while providing guidelines for adequate therapy.

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague and General University Hospital Prague Prague Czech Republic

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