@article{fdi:010017807,
  title = {{C}linical safety of a polyvalent {F}(ab')2 equine antivenom in 223 {A}frican snake envenomations : a field trial in {C}ameroon},
  author = {{C}hippaux, {J}ean-{P}hilippe and {L}ang, {J}. and {A}madi {E}ddine, {S} and {F}agot, {P}. and {R}age, {V}. and {P}eyrieux, {J}.{C}. and {L}e {M}ener, {V}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A} large-scale clinical trial was conducted, according to {W}orld {H}ealth {O}rganization {G}ood {C}linical {P}ractice guidelines, in 7 centres in {N}orth {C}ameroon to determine the safety and efficacy of a polyvalent antivenom composed of purified {F}(ab')2. {T}his study included 223 patients presenting clinically with an obvious snake bite, predominantly due to #{E}chis ocellatus$ (viper), the most abundant species in this savannah region. {C}linical surveillance was maintained for 5 d in all patients and until the twenty-sixth day in 74% of cases. {T}wo 10 m{L} ampoules of polyvalent {F}(ab')2 equine antivenom ({I}pser {A}frica ({TM})) were administered to each patient by intravenous infusion. {I}f necessary, treatment was repeated 1 h after the end of the first infusion, and then with a frequency determined by the patient's clinical condition. {B}efore initiation of antivenom treatment, the main clinical disorders observed on admission were oedema (93.7%) and haemorrhage (48.9%), with a clotting time longer than 30 min in 65.4% of patients. {C}lincal cure was obtained in 213 patients (96.8%). {N}o amputation was necessary, and the case fatality rate was only 1.3%. {O}n average, 4.6 (+ or - 3.7) ampoules were administered per patient ; 43% of subjects recovered after only a single infusion of 2 ampoules. {E}arly adverse reactions, of varying degrees of severity, were observed in 6.3% of patients. {A} severe early reaction, anaphylactic shock, was observed in only one patient (0.4%). {S}erum sickness was observed in another patient. {P}olyvalent {F}(ab')2 equine antivenom given by repeated 20 m{L} intravenous infusions is a safe and effective treatment for envenomation caused by {A}frican vipers. ({R}{\'e}sum{\'e} d'auteur)},
  keywords = {{ESSAI} {CLINIQUE} ; {TRAITEMENT} {MEDICAL} ; {EFFICACITE} ; {VENIN} ; {SERPENT} ; {ENVENIMATION} ; {SEROTHERAPIE} ; {PROTOCOLE} {D}'{UTILISATION} ; {EFFET} {SECONDAIRE} ; {CAMEROUN} {NORD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{T}ransactions of the {R}oyal {S}ociety of {T}ropical {M}edicine and {H}ygiene},
  volume = {92},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {657--662},
  ISSN = {0035-9203},
  year = {1998},
  DOI = {10.1016/{S}0035-9203(98)90802-1},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010017807},
}