Citation

Borek HA, Charlton NP. Wilderness Environ. Med. 2015; 26(2): 196-199.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA (Dr Charlton).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wem.2014.12.014

PMID

25772822

Abstract

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are the world's largest lizards, known for killing prey that exceed their body mass. Reports of bites to humans in the popular press suggest high degrees of morbidity and mortality. Reports in the medical literature are lacking. We describe the case of a zookeeper who was bitten by a Komodo dragon, with a resultant mallet finger. We further discuss the various potential mechanisms of Komodo dragon lethality, including sepsis and venom deposition theories that are useful in guiding management.

Language: en