Snake venoms are mixtures of bioactive proteins and peptides that exhibit diverse biochemical activities. This wide array of pharmacologies associated with snake venoms has made them attractive sources for research into potentially novel therapeutics, and several venom-derived drugs are now in use. In the current study we performed a broad screen of a variety of venoms (61 taxa) from the major ...

In the present study an ELISA assay was developed and validated for detection determination of concentration snakes venom in biological samples. Individual component each (Cerastes cerastes Macrovipera mauretanica) used as immunogen to raise specific rabbit IgGs order set up a sandwich-type ELISA. Lower limit, linearity, accuracy, precision, reproducibility, reference intervals were determined....

Diagnosis of snake envenomation is challenging but critical for deciding on antivenom use. Phospholipase A2 enzymes occur commonly in snake venoms and we hypothesized that phospholipase activity detected in human blood post-bite may be indicative of envenomation. Using a simple assay, potentially a bedside test, we detected high phospholipase activity in sera of patients with viper and elapid e...

ABSTRACT Venom spitting is a defence mechanism based on airborne venom delivery used by number of different African and Asian elapid snake species (‘spitting cobras’; Naja spp. Hemachatus spp.). Adaptations underpinning have been studied extensively at both behavioural morphological level in cobras, but the role physical properties itself its effective projection remains largely unstudied. We h...

BACKGROUND Venoms of two cobras, four vipers, a standard antibiotic and an antimycotic, were evaluated comparatively, as antimicrobials. METHODS Six venom concentrations and three of the standard antibiotic and the antimycotic were run in micro-dilution and diffusion plates against the microorganisms. RESULTS Echis pyramidum, Echis coloratus and Cerastes cerastes gasperettii highest venom c...

For purposes of analysis of polynucleotides, it is desirable to have a phosphodiesterase, substantially free of 5-nucleotidase or other phosphatase activity. The presence of a phosphodiesterase in a wide variety of snake venoms was demonstrated by Gullan<l and Jackson (1). These venoms were found also to contain a potent 5-nucleotidase, but were free of alkaline phosphatase activity. Hurst and ...

Envenomation by North American pit viper snakes (family Viperidae, subfamily Crotalinae, genera Crotalus [rattlesnakes], Sistrurus [pygmy rattlesnakes], and Agkistrodon [copperhead and cottonmouth snakes]) is a dynamic and potentially serious medical condition. Each year in the United States, approximately 9,000 patients are treated for pit viper snakebite and 5 die. Pit viper venoms are comple...

AIM This case report presents envenoming by the Chinese pit viper Protobothrops mangshanensis (formerly Zhaoermia) and its treatment. METHODS A 38 year old snake breeder suffered two-fang bites to elbow by a Chinese pit viper Protobothrops mangshanensis resulting in local edema of the affected arm. No other signs of envenoming appeared. On the 5(th) day following the bite a hematoma developed...