Abstract
Following the bite of Philodryas olfersii latirostris Cope, 1862, a 29-year-old
male herpetologist developed localized and burning pain, and minimal bleeding from
the puncture marks of posterior maxillary teeth, which subsided rapidly. The victim
developed no other local signs or symptoms. After few days the victim presented persistent
severe rotatory dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. On examination his hearing
was normal. Neurological exam was otherwise normal. The patient had acute vertiginous
symptoms but had no associated neurological signs. Computed tomography did
not show abnormality. A diagnosis of labyrinthine syndrome was made. It was treated
conservatively, and the patient recovered uneventfully. It was assumed as an effect of
ophitoxemia. This case may be regarded as an unusual presentation of systemic envenoming
following a human bite by Philodryas olfersii latirostris.