Early identification of acute kidney injury in Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming using renal biomarkers

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication of snake envenoming, but early diagnosis remains problematic. We aimed to investigate the time course of novel renal biomarkers in AKI following Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) bites.Methodology/Principal findingsWe recruited a cohort of patients with definite Russell’s viper envenoming and collected serial blood and urine samples on admission (Conclusions/SignificanceAKI was common and sometimes severe following Russell’s viper bites. Three biomarkers uClu, uNGAL and sCysC, appeared to become abnormal in AKI earlier than sCr, and may be useful in early identification of envenoming.