A new Pan African polyspecific antivenom developed in response to the antivenom crisis in Africa

Laing, G.D.; Renjifo, Juan Manuel; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Harrison, Robert A.; Nasidi, Abdulsalam; Gutiérrez, José M.; Rowley, Paul D.; Warrell, David A.; Theakston, R.D.G.

doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(03)00098-9

Cited by 37 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Meanwhile the improvement in antivenom quality must focus on the increase of product purity and the reduction of aggregates, as well as on the implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP). Unfortunately the incorporation of refined purification techniques to antivenom production process and others commercials factors have carried on an important cost increase, thereby causing an strong antivenom shortage specially in the poorest countries (25,(86)(87)(88)(89). The best solution includes best quality antivenoms at an affordable cost (20,22).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snake antivenoms: adverse reactions and production technology

Morais¹,

Massaldi²

2009

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Antivenoms have been widely used for more than a century for treating snakebites and other accidents with poisonous animals. Despite their efficacy, the use of heterologous antivenoms involves the possibility of adverse reactions due to activation of the immune system. In this paper, alternatives for antivenom production already in use were evaluated in light of their ability to minimize the occurrence of adverse reactions. These effects were classified according to their molecular mechanism as: anaphylactic reactions mediated by IgE, anaphylactoid reactions caused by complement system activation, and pyrogenic reactions produced mainly by the presence of endotoxins in the final product. In the future, antivenoms may be replaced by humanized antibodies, specific neutralizing compounds or vaccination. Meanwhile, improvements in antivenom quality will be focused on the obtainment of a more purified and specific product in compliance with good manufacturing practices and at an affordable cost.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snake antivenoms: adverse reactions and production technology

Morais¹,

Massaldi²

2009

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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“…A multiple of the LD 50 (usually 2x, 3x, or 5x LD 50 ) is then mixed with different amounts of the antivenom under test and the amount of antivenom which results in the survival of half the animals within a group is statistically calculated (median effective dose or ED 50 of the antivenom). Other in vivo and in vitro tests commonly used include the elimination of venom-induced pathogenic effects such as those responsible for haemorrhage, coagulopathy (including defibrinogenation), and local necrosis [43,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53]. In vivo tests involve major suffering to the experimental animals involved and currently major efforts are being made to develop non-sentient or other alternative assays [54].…”

Section: Major Roles Of Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) mentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis of Snakebite and the Importance of Immunological Tests in Venom Research

Theakston

Laing

2014

Toxins

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In many cases of envenoming following snake bite, the snake responsible for the accident remains unidentified; this frequently results in difficulty deciding which antivenom to administer to the systemically-envenomed victim, especially when only monospecific antivenoms are available. Normally the specific diagnosis of snake bite can be conveniently made using clinical and laboratory methods. Where clinical diagnosis depends upon the recognition of specific signs of envenoming in the patient, laboratory diagnosis is based on the changes which occur in envenomed victims including the detection of abnormalities in blood parameters, presence/absence of myoglobinuria, changes in certain enzyme levels, presence/absence of neurotoxic signs and the detection in the blood of specific venom antigens using immunologically-based techniques, such as enzyme immunoassay. It is the latter which is the main subject of this review, together with the application of techniques currently used to objectively assess the effectiveness of new and existing antivenoms, to assess first aid measures, to investigate the possible use of such methods in epidemiological studies, and to detect individual venom components. With this in mind, we have discussed in some detail how such techniques were developed and how they have helped in the treatment of envenoming particularly and in venom research in general.

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“…Recent improvements in antivenom production technology have led to the production of Fab fragments [3]. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this remedy is dependent on its immediate administration, which is lim-ited by the fact that it is not readily available, especially in sub-Saharan Africa [4]. Another drawback is that some snakebite victims develop serious adverse reactions to therapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another drawback is that some snakebite victims develop serious adverse reactions to therapy. These problems can be alleviated with the development of antivenoms that are accessible and have minimal side effects [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract

et al. 2008

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Previously, we reported the antisnake venom properties of a Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) and tested its in vivo efficacy against Echis carinatus venom (EV) in short- (1 injection) and long-term (three weekly injections) treatments. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma proteome changes associated with MPE treatments and identify proteins responsible for survival of envenomated mice (CHALLENGED mice). Six treatment groups were studied. Three control groups: one saline, one short-term and one long-term MPE treatment. One group received EV alone. Two test groups received EV with either a short-term or long-term MPE treatment (CHALLENGED mice). The plasma from each group was analysed by 2-DE/MALDI-TOF MS. The most significant changes with treatment were: albumin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and serum amyloid P. Most of these changes were explained by EV effects on coagulation, inflammation and haemolysis. However, MPE treatments prevented the EV-induced elevation in HPT. Consequently, HPT levels were similar to controls in the plasma of CHALLENGED mice. The plasma of CHALLENGED mice showed substantial proteomic modifications. This suggests the mechanism of MPE protection involves the activation of counterbalancing processes to compensate for the imbalances caused by EV.

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A new Pan African polyspecific antivenom developed in response to the antivenom crisis in Africa

Cited by 37 publications

References 16 publications

Snake antivenoms: adverse reactions and production technology

Snake antivenoms: adverse reactions and production technology

Diagnosis of Snakebite and the Importance of Immunological Tests in Venom Research

Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract

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