ANTIVENINS

Effect of the route of administration on the neutralizing potency of antivenins.

Therapeutic Experiments with Anticrotalus and Antimoccasin Sera

1. The action of different antivenins is highly, although not absolutely, specific for the venoms for which they are prepared. The antivenomous effect is demonstrable by experiments on toxicity (in vivo) and on haemolysis (in vitro). 2. Anticrotalus and antimoccasin sera possess therapeutic properties of high degree. By their employment before the stage of extreme prostration has been reached, ...

Inhibition of Hemorragic Snake Venom Components: Old and New Approaches

Snake venoms are complex toxin mixtures. Viperidae and Crotalidae venoms, which are hemotoxic, are responsible for most of the envenomations around the world. Administration of antivenins aimed at the neutralization of toxins in humans is prone to potential risks. Neutralization of snake venom toxins has been achieved through different approaches: plant extracts have been utilized in etnomedici...

[Mamba envenomation in mainland France: management of exotic envenomations needs rethinking].

We report a case of accidental green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) envenomation in the suburbs of Paris. Although moderate, neurotoxic symptoms were clearly present. Immunotherapy with polyvalent serum FAV-Afrique was decided, but logistical problems prevented reasonably quick serum delivery to the hospital. Despite a spontaneously favourable outcome probably due to minimal envenomation, this cas...

Molecular Phylogeny of Viperidae Family from Different Provinces in Saudi Arabia

Molecular systematic is important in solving the problematic taxonomy of venomous snakes and development of antivenins. The current study aimed to investigate the molecular phylogeny of 4 venomous species in Saudi Arabia using mitochondrial (mt) 16S rRNA gene. DNA extracted from blood and mt16S rRNA gene amplified by PCR. Sequences submitted to gene bank, examined for similarity with other sequ...