Echis colorata bites in Israel: an evaluation of specific antiserum use on the base of 21 cases of snake bite.

Specific Antiserum for Echis colorata snake bite has been in use since 1965. To date 25 cases of bite by this snake have been reported, most of which are included in this series. As the antiserum was not routinely used I had the opportunity to compare the results in patients receiving antiserum to the results in patients not receiving it. The conclusion is that the use of specific antiserum should be limited to patients demonstrating severe bleeding and not reacting to treatment of consumption coagulopathy. The clinical picture, laboratory results and the post mortem results of a fatal case of E. colorata bite are included.