Effect of envenomation on serum hepatic biomarkers in snake (echis ocellatus) bitten individuals in Zamko comprehensive health centre of the Jos university teaching hospital, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Snake bite is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries of the world.
About 5.4 million snakebites occur each year, resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of envenomation yearly. Hepatic
markers have been reported to rise 3-6 hours after injection of venom in experimental animals. This study aims to
biochemically assess ALT, AST, and GGT levels as biomarkers of Echis ocellatus envenomation in victims of
snake bite presented at JUTH Comprehensive Health Centre Zamko 6 hours post-bite and compared with values in
those bitten by non-venomous snakes.
Methodology: The study was a comparative cross-sectional study where serum levels of AST, ALT, and GGT were
compared between the study group and the control group.
Results: Of the 150 respondents, 75 from each study group, 90(60.0%) were Male while 60(40.0%) were Female,
with a Male to Female ratio of 1.5:1. The most predominant age group was 20-29 years 57(38.0%), the mean age
was 39 years. The most predominant occupation was farming 82(54.7%). The majority 82(54.7%) had a secondary
level of education. 91(60.7%) were married. A large majority of 123(82.0) had Christianity as their religion. We
found a significant increase in the levels of AST (47.45IU/L) and GGT (61.62 IU/L) in the study group compared
to AST (25.88IU/L), GGT (29.61IU/L) in the control group at p<0.05, while the level of ALT was similar in both
groups at p>0.05.
Conclusion: This implies that serum levels of AST and GGT can be used to diagnose envenomation in snakebite
patients.