Publications by authors named "S Senthilkumaran"
Introduction: Snakebite envenoming is a multidimensional issue that causes severe functional and life-challenging consequences among rural communities in tropical countries. Current research and treatments are largely focused on the acute effects of envenomation and short-term health outcomes. The knowledge of snakebite-induced long-term consequences is highly limited.
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- The study investigates snake phobia in India, highlighting its evolutionary roots and the importance of understanding this fear in the context of preventing snakebites, which lead to significant health issues and socioeconomic impacts in the region.
- Researchers modified an existing snake phobia assessment tool (SNAQ12) and validated it in English and Tamil, collecting responses from over 2,000 individuals to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of snake phobia among the population.
- Findings indicate that males exhibit higher levels of snake phobia across all age groups compared to females in India, challenging previous assumptions that women typically experience greater phobia levels; no other significant factors were found to influence this phobia.
Envenomings from Russell's viper typically result in local tissue damage and bleeding complications, but the bites from common krait and cobra primarily cause neurotoxic effects. While most symptoms can be treated with appropriate antivenom, additional support is necessary for several snakebite victims to tackle a broad range of unusual complications that they develop following bites. Reversible vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), characterised by the constriction of cerebral arteries, is a rare but serious issue, presenting with severe headaches and, in extreme cases, haemorrhagic/ischaemic stroke.
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- Human-snake conflicts lead to significant health issues, including over 125,000 deaths and 400,000 disabilities annually, with India alone experiencing about 58,000 snakebite deaths each year.
- Volunteer snake rescuers play an essential role in relocating snakes but often lack formal training and funds for equipment, exposing them to serious risks during rescues.
- The study emphasizes the need for structured training and better support for snake rescuers to enhance safety for both the individuals and the snakes they handle.*
Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is a common complication of snakebite that is associated with hypofibrinogenemia, bleeding, disability, and death. In remote tropical settings, where most snakebites occur, the 20-minute whole blood clotting test is used to diagnose VICC. Point-of-care (POC) coagulation devices could provide an accessible means of detecting VICC that is better standardized, quantifiable, and more accurate.
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