Changes of C reactive protein and blood coagulation function in Trimeresurus stejnegeri bite patients

Objective To analyze the changes of C reactive protein (CRP) and coagulation function in patients bitten by Trimeresurus stejnegeri snake, and their clinical significance. Methods A total of 138 Trimeresurus stejnegeri bite patients were collected from May 2011 to May 2013 in the Department of Emergency, People’s Central Hospital of Zhanjiang. 85 cases were male and 53 females, with age range from 14 to 70 years.The patients were divided into 5 groups according to the time of visiting doctors: <2 h group, 3-6 h group, 7-12 h group, 13-24 h group and 25-48 h group.Symptoms, signs, blood coagulation function and the level of CRP were compared among the groups. Results Two hours after Trimeresurus stejnegeri bite, patients had pain, local swelling and other symptoms, but blood coagulation function and CRP showed no significant difference from that of normal control group; 12 hours after being bitten, patients showed obviously significant decrease of platelet counting, increase of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and higher coagulation function and CRP level as compared with that of <2 hours group. Conclusion As Trimeresurus stejnegeri bite, snake venom can cause not only the blood coagulation dysfunction, but also rapid local inflammatory reaction, resulting in swelling of the limbs and intense pain, and therefore anti-inflammatory treatment should be paid attention. Key words: Trimeresurus stejnegeri; Inflammation; C reactive protein; Function of blood coagulation