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Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jul 2023Snakebite is a relatively common health condition in Iran with a diverse snake fauna, especially in tropical southern and mountainous western areas of the country with a... (Review)
Review
Snakebite is a relatively common health condition in Iran with a diverse snake fauna, especially in tropical southern and mountainous western areas of the country with a plethora of snake species. The list of medically important snakes, circumstances and effects of their bite, and necessary medical care require critical appraisal and should be updated regularly. This study aims to review and map the distributions of medically important snake species of Iran, re-evaluate their taxonomy, review their venomics, describe the clinical effects of envenoming, and discuss medical management and treatment, including the use of antivenom. Nearly 350 published articles and 26 textbooks with information on venomous and mildly venomous snake species and snakebites of Iran, were reviewed, many in Persian (Farsi) language, making them relatively inaccessible to an international readership. This has resulted in a revised updated list of Iran's medically important snake species, with taxonomic revisions of some, compilation of their morphological features, remapping of their geographical distributions, and description of species-specific clinical effects of envenoming. Moreover, the antivenom manufactured in Iran is discussed, together with treatment protocols that have been developed for the hospital management of envenomed patients.
Topics: Animals; Snake Bites; Antivenins; Iran; Snakes
PubMed: 37187227
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107149 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Sep 2019Snakebite envenoming is a devastating Neglected Tropical Disease, the treatment of which has seen relatively little innovation since the invention of antivenom... (Review)
Review
Snakebite envenoming is a devastating Neglected Tropical Disease, the treatment of which has seen relatively little innovation since the invention of antivenom serotherapy in 1894. Current antivenoms have been and continue to be invaluable in saving thousands of lives. However, these medicines are associated with a number of drawbacks pertaining to availability, safety, and efficacy. Fortunately, with the advent of novel methodologies, such as antibody discovery technologies, high-throughput drug discovery approaches, and improved methods for protein engineering, we are starting to see scientific advances in the field. This review presents relevant engineering and design considerations for exploiting these methodologies to develop next-generation antivenoms with improved safety, efficacy, and affordability. The pros and cons of different treatment modalities are discussed with regards to immunogenicity, the suitability of preclinical efficacy assays, availability of discovery methods, economic viability of production schemes, and possible regulatory approval paths.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Drug Design; Drug and Narcotic Control; Humans; Snake Bites; Snake Venoms
PubMed: 31173790
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.005 -
The American Journal of Tropical... May 2024
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Snake Bites; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Animals; Antivenins
PubMed: 38507806
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0033 -
Toxins Jun 2023Envenomations induced by animal bites and stings constitute a significant public health burden. Even though a standardized protocol does not exist, parenterally... (Review)
Review
Envenomations induced by animal bites and stings constitute a significant public health burden. Even though a standardized protocol does not exist, parenterally administered polyclonal antivenoms remain the mainstay in snakebite therapy. There is a prevailing opinion that their application by the route has poor efficacy and that administration should preferentially be chosen in order to achieve better accomplishment of the antivenom therapeutic activity. Recently, it has been demonstrated that neutralization not only in the systemic circulation but also in the lymphatic system might be of great importance for the clinical outcome since it represents another relevant body compartment through which the absorption of the venom components occurs. In this review, the present-day and summarized knowledge of the laboratory and clinical findings on the and routes of antivenom administration is provided, with a special emphasis on the contribution of the lymphatic system to the process of venom elimination. Until now, antivenom-mediated neutralization has not yet been discussed in the context of the synergistic action of both blood and lymph. A current viewpoint might help to improve the comprehension of the venom/antivenom pharmacokinetics and the optimal approach for drug application. There is a great need for additional dependable, practical, well-designed studies, as well as more practice-related experience reports. As a result, opportunities for resolving long-standing disputes over choosing one therapeutic principle over another might be created, improving the safety and effectiveness of snakebite management.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Snake Bites; Elapid Venoms; Snakes; Snake Venoms
PubMed: 37368699
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060398 -
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Jun 2015
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Elapidae; History, 19th Century; Humans; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; Snake Bites
PubMed: 25899915
DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2015.03.026 -
Annals of Emergency Medicine Jan 2015
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Female; Humans; Male; Pain; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms
PubMed: 25529160
DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.021 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023In many animals belonging to different taxa, venoms evolved as a means of defense and/or a means of attack/hunting [...].
In many animals belonging to different taxa, venoms evolved as a means of defense and/or a means of attack/hunting [...].
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Toxins, Biological; Crotalid Venoms
PubMed: 38003582
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216389 -
Annals of African Medicine 2023The rapid onset of life-threatening clinical manifestations in venomous snake bite could be due to an intravenous bite. This article seeks to review and consider the... (Review)
Review
The rapid onset of life-threatening clinical manifestations in venomous snake bite could be due to an intravenous bite. This article seeks to review and consider the clinical implications, pathophysiology, and management of this rare route of snake envenomation broadly by venomous snakes which are little described in the available literature.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Snake Bites; Antivenins; Snakes
PubMed: 37417008
DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_9_23 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jan 2023A comprehensive assessment of the literature on strategies for the detection and removing endotoxin from biotechnological preparations was conducted. This study... (Review)
Review
A comprehensive assessment of the literature on strategies for the detection and removing endotoxin from biotechnological preparations was conducted. This study highlighted the brief history of endotoxin. After that, a review of endotoxin's chemical and physical features, as well as its pathophysiological consequences when the body is exposed to LPS excessively or systemically, is presented. The procedures for determining endotoxin and the interaction of endotoxin with proteins are also discussed, considering both known approaches and cutting-edge technology in this sector. This review presented the endotoxin detection and removal approaches from antisera with an economical approach using several processes documented in the literature (e.g., adsorption, ultrafiltration, and chromatography). Different methods with relatively high protein recoveries are mentioned. This review concludes that heat activation at 70 °C-80 °C for 10 min and rehydration of the LAL reagent with endotoxin-specific buffer solution is the best technique to control the enhancement problem when testing polyvalent snake venom antiserum samples by the LAL method. The most efficient method for eliminating endotoxins has proven to be affinity resin-based chromatography.
Topics: Animals; Endotoxins; Antivenins; Proteins; Adsorption; Snakes
PubMed: 36535530
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.107003 -
Lancet (London, England) Sep 2015
Topics: Antivenins; Drug Discovery; Humans; Neglected Diseases; Snake Bites
PubMed: 26461887
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00247-0