Anti – Venoms are purified antibodies against venoms or venom components.
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Anti - Venom
Anti – Venom Anti – Venom , also known as antivenin, venom antiserum, and antivenom immunoglobulin, is a specific treatment for envenomation. It is composed of antibodies and used to treat certain venomous bites and stings.
Venomous snake in I ndia Indian Cobra Saw-Scaled Viper Russell's Viper Common Krait
Types of venom Neurotoxic Cytotoxic Hemotoxic Myotoxic
Neurotoxic Venom This type of venom attacks nervous system. This mainly includes fasciculins , dendrotoxins , alpha Neurotoxin. Dendrotoxins are found in the venom of Black Mamba snake,which interferes with voltage-gated K+channels . Tubocurarine , cobrotoxin , bungarotoxin block the acetylcholine receptor or prevent the opening of ion channel. By blocking signals from nerves to muscles these toxins cause paralysis and possibly death. Example- Venom of Cobras, Kraits
Cytotoxic Venom Cytotoxins involve phospholipases, cardiotoxins . Phospholipases helps to split cell membrane and helps to digest and subdue prey. Causes localized symptoms, like blue black spots on the site of bite due to limited blood circulation. Example – Venom of Puff Adder ( Bitis arietans )
Hemotoxic Venom These venoms causes hemolysis or induce blood coagulation. It attacks cardiovascular system, circulatory system and muscle tissues thus directly leading to heart failure. Symptoms are: Lethargy Headache Nausea Vomiting Example- Venom of Crotalus (Rattle Snake)
Myotoxic Venom The venom contains peptides that destroy the muscle fiber proteins and results in myonecrosis . Example- the venom of Brazilian Lance head snake. Symptoms include- dry throat thirst muscular spasm drooping eyelids blackish brown urine discharge
Specific investigations The 20-min whole blood clotting test(20 WBCT) Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) Other nonspecific tests include Serum creatinine Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) Prothrombin time (PT Fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products ( fdps ) Arterial blood gas Electrolyte determinations Electrocardiogram (ECG) Electroencephalogram ( EEG
Anti-venom The only available treatment against snake bite is the usage of anti-venom. The first anti-venom for snakes was developed by Alberte Calmette against the Indian cobra.
Milking of snake venom The Snake’s head is grasped between the index fingerand thumb Application of pressure on snake’s jaw The fangs are pushed through a plastic/ parafilm Membrane The venom is squeezed out and collected
Production of Anti – Venom A mixture of venoms from different species of venomous snakes are injected into the body of horse or goat or sheep. The blood with antibodies are collected. Anti – Venom
Manufacturers of Snake Anti-venom in India Serum Institute of India, Pune. Haffkine Institute, Mumbai
Antidotal therapy Administer antivenintherapy as soon as possible if any signs of systemic involvement are present because the antivenin may reverse coagulopathy. Furthermore, larger initial doses should be considered if severe envenomation from multiple bites is evident The dose of antivenom for children should not be reduced since the amount of venom injected by the snake is independent of the victim's size Before the antivenin is given, premedicate the patient with an antihistamine, and continue the antihistamine for 5 days to prevent anaphylaxis
Administer corticosteroids if any history of previous serum sickness or allergic reaction to the antivenin is present or for administration of large doses of antivenin Pregnancy is not a contraindication to giving antivenin. Edrophonium , neostigmine, and atropine may be given to temporarily reverse respiratory weakness until antivenin is obtained, but it should not delay necessary intubation.
Uses of Anti-venom Neurotoxins are used to treat brain injuries, strokes. Hemotoxin are used to treat heart attacks and blood disorders. Anti Cancer Activities: Snake venom also lowers down the activity of cancer cell by apoptogenic effect. Anticoagulant properties: Snake venom enzymes remove fibrinogen from the circulation without converting it to fibrin. Venoms with anticoagulant properties are extensively studied for possible medical applications.
Side effects of Anti-venom Anaphylactic reactions such as Difficulty in breathing Reddening of skin Swelling of eyes and face Fever Inflammation of joints. Enlargement of lymph glands.
Recommended dose of anti-snake venom based on level of envenomation Level of envenomation Dose of anti - venoum Mild envenomation 3-5 vials Moderate 5-10 vials Severe 10 -15 vials
Infusion should be done after test dose. Watch reaction of anti-snake venom Clean the bite site with povidine iodine
Conclusion Snake Venom is the stuff of night mares for some, the light at the end of the tunnel for others. It is a killer as well as a savior.
References " North American Micrurus (Coral Snake Venoms)". Toxnet : Toxicology Data Network. September 15, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2019. Franklin , Deborah, "Potential Treatment For Snakebites Leads To A Paralyzing Test Archived 2014-08-09 at the Wayback Machine", NPR.org, July 31, 2013. " Universal antidote for snakebite: Experimental trial represents promising step Archived 2014-07-07 at the Wayback Machine", California Academy of Sciences via Science Daily, May 28, 2014. Whyte , Ian (2012). " Antivenom update" (PDF). Australian Prescriber. 35 (5): 152–155. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2012.069. Isbister GK. (2002). "Failure of intramuscular antivenom in Redback spider envenoming". Emerg Med. 14 (4): 436–9. doi:10.1046/j.1442-2026.2002.00356.x. PMID 12534488 . Bhaumik , Rahul ( 2018). "Colonial Encounter on Indian Snakes and their Venoms: The Transmission and Transformation of Western Ophiological Knowledge in British India, 1780s-1910s" (PDF). Indian Journal of History of Science. 53 (4). doi:10.16943/ ijhs /2018/v53i4/49536. ISSN 0019-5235.