The northern cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus (Lacépède, 1789) (Viperidae: Crotalinae), occurs in the southeastern United States and is one of the few semiaquatic vipers in the world. Three proteocephalid tapeworms of the genus OphiotaeniaLa Rue, 1911 (Cestoda), have been described from this venomous snake. A critical evaluation of type specimens and tapeworms recently collected from A. piscivorus has revealed that only 2 species, Ophiotaenia marenzelleri (Barrois, 1898) and Ophiotaenia grandisLa Rue, 1911 (new synonym Ophiotaenia agkistrodontis [Harwood, 1933]), are specific parasites of this crotaline viper; both species are redescribed here. Ophiotaenia grandis was originally described from a mixture of 2 species: 'true' O. grandis, which is indistinguishable from O. agkistrodontis described 22 yr later and thus considered to be a junior synonym of O. grandis, and O. marenzelleri. Ophiotaenia marenzelleri, also reported from the pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius (Linnaeus, 1766), is a larger tapeworm with a massive scolex, a large cirrus sac, a very large, annular vaginal sphincter near the equatorial gonopore, and an oval, 3-layered embryophore surrounded by a nearly square hyaline outer membrane. Ophiotaenia grandis is much smaller and more slender and has a narrower scolex, a smaller cirrus sac and vaginal sphincter, a 2-layered embryophore, and a distinctly pre-equatorial gonopore. In addition to O. marenzelleri and O. grandis, other Ophiotaenia species typical of semiaquatic snakes (Colubridae: Natricinae) may be present in the northern cottonmouth, which serves only as a postcyclic or occasional host. There is also a tabular summary of 18 species of Ophiotaenia from semiaquatic snakes worldwide, with information on their hosts, distribution, and taxonomically important characters, including key measurements.
- MeSH
- Agkistrodon * MeSH
- Cestoda * MeSH
- peritoneální dutina MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- jihovýchod USA MeSH
Although the bites caused by snakes from former Agkistrodon family in the areas of occurrence are not rare and even have certain epidemiologic importance, in case of envenoming by Deinagkistrodon acutus the clinical studies and case reports are very sporadic. This case report describes the envenoming of a private snake breeder bitten by young Chinese moccasin Deinagkistrodon acutus to the thumb of his left hand. He sought for a medical help immediately after snakebite. Patient presented with a local oedema on the affected limb, extending up to the half of the forearm. Laboratory examinations showed serious haemostatic disturbance with defibrination syndrome, immeasurably prolonged clotting times and extreme elevation of D-dimers. No other obvious clinical symptoms were present. Fibrinogen and fresh frozen plasma were administered because the antivenom was not available immediately. The specific antivenom was urgently imported 22 hours after the bite and administered at a dose of two vials three times until laboratory haemocoagulation parameters returned back to physiological values.
- MeSH
- Agkistrodon * MeSH
- antiveniny terapeutické užití MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- edém etiologie MeSH
- fibrinogen terapeutické užití MeSH
- krevní plazma MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- poranění ruky etiologie terapie MeSH
- uštknutí hadem terapie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
