The mechanisms by which antivenom neutralizes the venom are still poorly understood. In the present work, we studied the effects of antivenom, constituted with either F(ab9)2 or Fab, on the processes of absorption and elimination of Vipera aspis venom in experimentally envenomed rabbits. We first concluded from this study that during the few hours after intramuscular injection, the venom rapidl...

Small recombinant antibody fragments (e.g. scFvs and VHHs), which are highly tissue permeable, are being investigated for antivenom production as conventional antivenoms consisting of IgG or F(ab')2 antibody fragments do not effectively neutralize venom toxins located in deep tissues. However, antivenoms composed entirely of small antibody fragments may have poor therapeutic efficacy due to the...

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...

Venomous snakebites are lethal and occur frequently worldwide each year, and receiving the antivenom antibody is currently the most effective treatment. However, the specific antivenom might be unavailable in remote areas. Snakebites by Viperidae usually lead to hemorrhage and mortality if untreated. In the present study, challenges of rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom markedly increased the c...

Snakebite envenoming is a major public health burden in tropical parts of the developing world. In sub-Saharan Africa, neglect has led to a scarcity of antivenoms threatening the lives and limbs of snakebite victims. Technological advances within antivenom are warranted, but should be evaluated not only on their possible therapeutic impact, but also on their cost-competitiveness. Recombinant an...

Medically important cases of snakebite in Europe are predominately caused by European vipers of the genus Vipera. The mainstay of snakebite therapy is polyclonal antibody therapy, referred to as antivenom. Here we investigate the capability of the monospecific V. berus antivenom, ViperaTAb®, to cross-react with, and neutralise lethality induced by, a variety of European vipers. Using ELISA and ...

This is a retrospective case series report of 21 snakebite victims admitted to a provincial hospital 80 km north of the capital city Vientiane between January 2007 and June 2008. There were 13 Malayan Pit Viper (MPV) and 6 Green Pit Viper (GPV) bites. Two patients could not identify the snake, but developed severe coagulopathy and were therefore most likely bitten by a MPV or GPV. Seven of 13 p...