Snakebite in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso: illustration of realities and challenges for care based on a clinical case

Kyelem CG (1, 2), Yaméogo TM (1, 2), Ouédraogo SM (1, 2), Zoungrana J (1), Poda GEA (1, 2), Rouamba MM (1), Ouangré A (1), Kissou SA (3), Rouamba A (4)

(1) Department of Medicine, Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso Teaching Hospital Center (CHUSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; (2) Higher institute of Health Sciences, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; (3) Department of Pediatrics, Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso Teaching Hospital Center (CHUSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; (4) Department of Surgery, Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso Teaching Hospital Center (CHUSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Abstract: We report herein the case of 19-year-old female farmer who suffered a double snakebite on the right foot. After an unsuccessful traditional treatment, she consulted a health center, 48 hours after the bite. Upon arrival at the hospital, she showed signs of severe damage, including hemorrhagic syndrome, extensive gangrene of the bitten limb and severe acute renal failure. Due to financial constraints, neither antivenom nor the scheduled amputation was performed. After 35 days of hospitalization, she returned home, against the advice of medical personnel. Our case summarizes the daily challenges of patients and practitioners that suffer snakebite envenomation in Bobo-Dioulasso, western Burkina Faso.

Key words: envenomation, snakebite, management, Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: September 28, 2012.

Accepted: November 6, 2012.

Abstract published online: November 9, 2012.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso provided the financial grants.

CONSENT

Informed consent was obtained from the patient

for publication of this case report.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Carole G. Kyelem, 01 BP 676 CHUSS Bobo- Dioulasso. Phone: +226 7011 9432. Email: pasismama@hotmail.com.