Latency of Symptom Progression in Mild Daboia palaestinae Envenomation.

Introduction: Daboia palestinae is the most common venomous snake in Israel. In most cases, snakebite does not develop into a systemic disease. Since the introduction of specific antivenom therapy, the mortality rate has declined sharply.

Changes in acute mastoiditis in a single pediatric tertiary medical center: our experience during 2008-2009 compared with data for 1983-2007.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess clinical reports and bacteriological changes over a 25-y period in children with acute mastoiditis.

Methods: The medical files of all children with a discharge diagnosis of mastoiditis, hospitalized in a tertiary pediatric medical center over a 2-y period (2008-2009), were reviewed and compared to previously published data from the same center for the y 1983-1985, 1993-1995, and 2003-2007.

Results: One hundred and thirty-four children (143 episodes) with acute mastoiditis were identified during 2008-2009; 81% had fever, 95% auricular displacement, and 80% post-auricular swelling.