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Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Mar 2022Ophidism is a serious health problem worldwide and is included in the World Health Organization's (WHO's) list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Although snakebite... (Review)
Review
Ophidism is a serious health problem worldwide and is included in the World Health Organization's (WHO's) list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Although snakebite envenoming requires emergency treatment, currently the only treatment recommended by WHO is serotherapy, which has some disadvantages such as low access to the rural population, low effectiveness in neutralizing local effects, and high cost. In this context, new alternatives for the treatment of snakebites are required. The use of plant-derived compounds to inhibit the effects caused by snake venoms has been the object of a number of studies in recent years. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the use of phenolic acids with therapeutic application against envenomation by snakes of different species. In this sense, structural analysis in silico and biological activities in vivo and in vitro were reported. The acids were subdivided into derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids, with derivatives of cinnamic acids being the most studied. Studies have revealed that these compounds are capable of inhibiting local and systemic effects induced by envenomation, and structural analyses indicate that the acids interact with important sites responsible for the action of toxins. Thus, it was reported that phenolic acids showed antiophidic potential, providing insights for future research to develop complementary drugs for the treatment of snakebites.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Humans; Neglected Diseases; Snake Bites; Snake Venoms; Snakes
PubMed: 34979199
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.12.019 -
Revue Medicale Suisse May 2020Sea bathing is often a priority activity for travelers, with widely recognized health benefits. The dangers, in contrast, are underestimated, especially in tropical... (Review)
Review
Sea bathing is often a priority activity for travelers, with widely recognized health benefits. The dangers, in contrast, are underestimated, especially in tropical seas. We describe the scope of marine envenoming, trauma, and infections, representing 1-3 % of tropical and travel medicine consultations in the literature. Our review includes the eco-epidemiology, clinical approach, and prevention of envenoming by invertebrates (jellyfish, anemone, sea-urchin, starfish, octopus, sea cone) and some vertebrates (stingrays, stone fish, snakes). We include penetrating trauma (by stingray, stonefish, sea urchin, coral) and infections (mycobacteria, marine bacteria). Eating-related dangers (ciguatera, fugu, parasites) are not described here. We also present antidotes, antivenoms, and first-aid.
Topics: Animals; Antidotes; Antivenins; Bathing Beaches; Bites and Stings; First Aid; Humans; Infections; Swimming; Travel Medicine; Travel-Related Illness
PubMed: 32401438
DOI: No ID Found -
Transactions of the Royal Society of... Sep 2023Snakebite envenoming is an important public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries, where the burden of morbidity and mortality falls particularly on... (Review)
Review
Snakebite envenoming is an important public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries, where the burden of morbidity and mortality falls particularly on impoverished rural communities. Children are an especially vulnerable group. This scoping review provides an overview of the extent, type and content of peer-reviewed evidence regarding factors associated with mortality in snakebite-envenomed children. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and the Global Index Medicus yielded 623 articles, of which 15 met the criteria for inclusion; 67% of studies were conducted in India, with the remaining studies taking place in Papua New Guinea, Morocco and The Gambia. There was a notable scarcity of eligible studies from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America despite the high burden of envenoming in these regions. The risk factors for mortality that were identified by the greatest number of studies were younger patient age (n=4), delay in administration of antivenom (n=4) and acute kidney injury (n=3). Identification of poor prognostic factors can assist clinicians in making timely referrals to centres with paediatric critical care capability. Future research must address the lack of studies from key geographical regions so that evidence-based improvements to the care of this vulnerable group can be implemented.
Topics: Humans; Snake Bites; Antivenins; Africa South of the Sahara; Public Health; Gambia
PubMed: 37264929
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad031 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Oct 2014
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Humans; Scorpion Stings; Scorpion Venoms
PubMed: 25317887
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1410354 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Oct 2014
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Humans; Scorpion Stings; Scorpion Venoms
PubMed: 25317886
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1410354 -
Toxins Oct 2023Amidst the global healthcare landscape, the menace of snakebite envenoming (SBE) has persisted, silently afflicting millions and annually claiming tens of thousands of...
Amidst the global healthcare landscape, the menace of snakebite envenoming (SBE) has persisted, silently afflicting millions and annually claiming tens of thousands of lives [...].
Topics: Humans; Snake Bites; Delivery of Health Care; Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate; Antivenins
PubMed: 37999489
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110626 -
Toxins Apr 2017Latrodectism or envenomation by widow-spiders is common and clinically significant worldwide. Alpha-latrotoxin is the mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that results... (Review)
Review
Latrodectism or envenomation by widow-spiders is common and clinically significant worldwide. Alpha-latrotoxin is the mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that results in toxic effects observed in humans. Symptoms may be incapacitating and include severe pain that can persist for days. The management of mild to moderate latrodectism is primarily supportive while severe cases have variously been treated with intravenous calcium, muscle relaxants, widow-spider antivenom and analgesic opioids. The object of this systematic review is to examine the literature on the clinical effectiveness of past and current treatments for latrodectism. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched from 1946 to December 2016 to identify clinical studies on the treatment of latrodectism. Studies older than 40 years and not in English were not reviewed. There were only two full-publications and one abstract of placebo-controlled randomised trials on antivenom use for latrodectism. Another two randomised comparative trials compared the route of administration of antivenom for latrodectism. There were fourteen case series (including two abstracts), fourteen case reports and one letter investigating drug treatments for latrodectism with the majority of these also including antivenom for severe latrodectism. Antivenom with opioid analgesia is often the major treatment reported for latrodectism however; recent high quality evidence has cast doubt on the clinical effectiveness of this combination and suggests that other treatments need to be investigated.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Humans; Spider Bites; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28430165
DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040148 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Aug 2018This review presents the main contributions to our knowledge regarding the development of antivenoms for therapeutic use in victims of venomous animal bites. We cover... (Review)
Review
This review presents the main contributions to our knowledge regarding the development of antivenoms for therapeutic use in victims of venomous animal bites. We cover the progress of serum therapy since tetanus and diphtheria antitoxins in Germany and France until the current scenario of antivenom production worldwide. During these more than 120 years of antivenom development, many researchers contributed to establish what are nowadays the antivenoms used for therapeutic purpose. The history of antivenoms development is fascinating! This review aims to recognize all those who contributed to the establishment of new sera, new methodologies and saving lives: much more than Calmette and Vital Brazil.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Drug Industry; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Research
PubMed: 29778595
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.05.008 -
Acta Medica Portuguesa Nov 2018Hymenoptera venom allergy is associated with significant morbidity and deterioration in health-related quality of life, and risk of fatal systemic reactions. Although...
INTRODUCTION
Hymenoptera venom allergy is associated with significant morbidity and deterioration in health-related quality of life, and risk of fatal systemic reactions. Although venom immunotherapy is safe and the only effective treatment in allergic individuals, some patients prefer not to pursue this treatment. Since 2011, when the 50% reimbursement was stopped, patients must fully support the cost of immunotherapy. This study aimed to ascertain the reasons why patients decline immunotherapy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A medical records review of all patients proposed to receive venom immunotherapy at an Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department in Porto, Portugal, between 2006 and 2015, followed by a phone interview to patients refusing treatment.
RESULTS
A total of 83 subjects were enrolled, with a mean (± SD) age of 44.4 (14.7) years and 55 (66%) males; 27 refused venom immunotherapy between 2006 and 2015. Nineteen were interviewed and 14 of those stated price as the main reason for declining treatment. The only identified risk factor associated with immunotherapy refusal was being proposed after 2011 (OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.12 - 9.68; p = 0.03).
DISCUSSION
The number of patients refusing venom immunotherapy doubled since reimbursement was withdrawn. Price was identified as the major obstacle to treatment completion. Immunotherapy proposal after reimbursement was stopped was associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of refusing treatment.
CONCLUSION
These findings show how economic decisions may have a detrimental effect on patient care, as immunotherapy refusal left them exposed to an avoidable life-threatening risk.
Topics: Adult; Antivenins; Bee Venoms; Female; Humans; Immunotherapy; Insect Bites and Stings; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; Male; Portugal; Treatment Refusal
PubMed: 30521454
DOI: 10.20344/amp.9695 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Apr 2015Scorpionism represents a serious public health problem resulting in the death of children and debilitated individuals. Scorpion sting treatment employs various... (Review)
Review
Scorpionism represents a serious public health problem resulting in the death of children and debilitated individuals. Scorpion sting treatment employs various strategies including the use of specific medicines such as antiserum, especially for patients with severe symptoms. In 1909 Charles Todd described the production of an antiserum against the venom of the scorpion Buthus quinquestriatus. Based on Todd's work, researchers worldwide began producing antiserum using the same approach i.e., immunization of horses with crude venom as antigen. Despite achieving satisfactory results using this approach, researchers in this field have developed alternative approaches for the production of scorpion antivenom serum. In this review, we describe the work published by experts in toxinology to the development of scorpion venom antiserum. Methods and results describing the use of specific antigens, detoxified venom or toxins, purified toxins and or venom fractions, native toxoids, recombinant toxins, synthetic peptides, monoclonal and recombinant antibodies, and alternative animal models are presented.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antivenins; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Immunization; Models, Animal; Recombinant Proteins; Scorpion Stings; Scorpion Venoms; Species Specificity
PubMed: 25701676
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.02.007