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Gamulin E, Mateljak Lukačević S, Halassy B, Kurtović T. Snake Antivenoms-Toward Better Understanding of the Administration Route. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:398. [PMID: 37368699 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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 i.m. route has poor efficacy and that i.v. 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 i.v. and i.m. 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Gamulin
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Mateljak Lukačević
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Beata Halassy
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tihana Kurtović
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Calvopiña M, Guamán-Charco E, Ramírez K, Dávalos F, Chiliquinga P, Villa-Soxo S, Oña-Vistin R, Romero-Álvarez D. Epidemiology and clinical features of venomous snake bites in the Northern Amazon of Ecuador (2017-2021). BIOMEDICA : REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SALUD 2023; 43:93-106. [PMID: 37167468 PMCID: PMC10484069 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.6587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: In Ecuador, poisonous snakebites are a public health problem. However, there is no recent hospital information from the Amazon. Objective: To retrospectively analyse the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of snakebites in patients admitted to a hospital in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Nueva Loja-Sucumbíos Provincial Hospital, bordering Colombia (2017-2021). Demographic, epidemiological and clinical variables, and condition at hospital discharge, were obtained from the epidemiological file of the Ministerio de Salud Pública. Results: In 5 years, 147 patients (29.4 per year) were hospitalized with no mortality. They corresponded to 26, 34, 32, 29 and 26 cases, in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Men with 99 (67.3%), aged 21-30 years with 28, mixed race with 94 cases, students, and farmers, were the most affected. The most affected (99; 67.3%) were men, people 21 to 30 years-old (28; 19.0%), mestizos (94; 63.9%), students, and farmers. The median age was 28 (range: 4-81) years. Prevalence was higher in April, June, and September. All accidents were caused by Viperidae snakes. Twenty (13.6%) cases were mild, (61.2%) were moderate and 37 (25.2%) were severe. The feet with 45 were the most bitten. Pre-hospitalization anti-venom serum was received by 53.1% and tourniquet by 19.8% patients. Median hospital arrival time was 5 (range 1-192) hours, mostly between 2-3 hours with 41 cases. No statistically significant differences were found considering the severity. Conclusions: A high prevalence of snakebites was evidenced in the north of the Amazon in Ecuador, with a higher incidence in the rainy season and all by Viperidae species. It is important to highlight the null mortality. Information campaigns on prevention and first aid, such as discouraging the use of tourniquets, especially among vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Calvopiña
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Elías Guamán-Charco
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador; Centro de Salud Tipo A "Santa Cecilia", Ministerio de Salud Pública, Nueva Loja, Sucumbíos, Ecuador.
| | - Karen Ramírez
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Felipe Dávalos
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Paola Chiliquinga
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Sergio Villa-Soxo
- Hospital General "Marco Vinicio Iza", Ministerio de Salud Pública, Nueva Loja, Sucumbíos, Ecuador.
| | - René Oña-Vistin
- Hospital General "Marco Vinicio Iza", Ministerio de Salud Pública, Nueva Loja, Sucumbíos, Ecuador.
| | - Daniel Romero-Álvarez
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador; Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Patiño RSP, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Robles-Loaiza AA, Santacruz-Ortega P, Almeida JR. A retrospective study of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of snakebite in Napo Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:118-127. [PMID: 35917814 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snakebite envenoming remains a relevant public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. In Ecuador, this is particularly true in an area of great diversity like the Amazon region. Nevertheless, there is scarce information about epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these accidents in this area. METHODS This was a descriptive and retrospective study of snakebite cases treated at a tertiary hospital in the Napo Province, Ecuadorian Amazon, from 2015 to 2019. We collected sociodemographic and snakebite-related information, clinical aspects and the use of antivenom and antibiotics from medical records. RESULTS Information from 133 snakebite accidents was reviewed in this time period. Reports of snakebite envenoming decreased over the years. In total, 67% of those bitten were from nearby indigenous communities, which were the most affected groups. When a species was identified, Bothrops atrox was responsible for the highest number of cases registered. Local clinical manifestations were more frequent than systemic signs, in keeping with the typical effects produced by bothropic venoms. Additionally, data showed that more antivenom vials were given than those suggested by the protocol of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health, in proportion to the grade of severity. Finally, we identified a low incidence of adverse reactions with antivenom administration, as well as a frequent use of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS The profile of snakebite accidents in the Napo Province is very similar to that described for other localities in the Amazon region of Ecuador and neighboring countries, with its challenges and limitations. Such aspects underlie the importance of establishing a robust and science-based public health program to respond to this frequent, but neglected, tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo S P Patiño
- Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo 150150, Ecuador.,Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Centro Nacional de Acuicultura e Investigaciones Marinas (CENAIM), Guayaquil 090211, Ecuador
| | - David Salazar-Valenzuela
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Quito 170103, Ecuador
| | | | - Paola Santacruz-Ortega
- Escola de Educação Permanente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403010, Brasil
| | - José R Almeida
- Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 7 Via Muyuna, Tena, Napo 150150, Ecuador
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Romo E, Torres M, Martin-Solano S. Current situation of snakebites envenomation in the Neotropics: Biotechnology, a versatile tool in the production of antivenoms. BIONATURA 2022. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2022.07.04.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people around the world with a great impact on health and the economy. Unfortunately, public health programs do not include this kind of disease as a priority in their social programs. Cases of snakebite envenomations in the Neotropics are inaccurate due to inadequate disease management from medical records to the choice of treatments. Victims of snakebite envenomation are primarily found in impoverished agricultural areas where remote conditions limit the availability of antivenom. Antivenom serum is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment used up to date. However, it has several disadvantages in terms of safety and effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive insight dealing with the current epidemiological status of snakebites in the Neotropics and technologies employed in antivenom production. Also, modern biotechnological tools such as transcriptomic, proteomic, immunogenic, high-density peptide microarray and epitope mapping are highlighted for producing new-generation antivenom sera. These results allow us to propose strategic solutions in the Public Health Sector for managing this disease.
Keywords: antivenom, biotechnology, neglected tropical disease, omics, recombinant antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Romo
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Marbel Torres
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Immunology and Virology Laboratory, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Center, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Sarah Martin-Solano
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública, Universidad Central del Ecuador
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Bhaumik S, Beri D, Tyagi J, Clarke M, Sharma SK, Williamson PR, Jagnoor J. Outcomes in intervention research on snakebite envenomation: a systematic review. F1000Res 2022; 11:628. [PMID: 36300033 PMCID: PMC9579743 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.122116.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A core outcome set (COS) is a minimal list of consensus outcomes that should be used in all intervention research in a specific domain. COS enhance the ability to undertake meaningful comparisons and to understand the benefits or harms of different treatments. A first step in developing a COS is to identify outcomes that have been used previously. We did this global systematic review to provide the foundation for development of a region-specific COS for snakebite envenomation. Methods: We searched 15 electronic databases, eight trial registries, and reference lists of included studies to identify reports of relevant trials, protocols, registry records and systematic reviews. We extracted verbatim data on outcomes, their definitions, measures, and time-points. Outcomes were classified as per an existing outcome taxonomy, and we identified unique outcomes based on similarities in the definition and measurement of the verbatim outcomes. RESULTS We included 107 records for 97 studies which met our inclusion criteria. These reported 538 outcomes, with a wide variety of outcome measures, definitions, and time points for measurement. We consolidated these into 88 unique outcomes, which we classified into core areas of mortality (1, 1.14 %), life impact (6, 6.82%), resource use (15, 17.05%), adverse events (7, 7.95%), physiological/clinical (51, 57.95%), and composite (8, 9.09%) outcomes. The types of outcomes varied by the type of intervention, and by geographic region. Only 15 of the 97 trials (17.04%) listed Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMS). CONCLUSION Trials evaluating interventions for snakebite demonstrate heterogeneity on outcomes and often omit important information related to outcome measurement (definitions, instruments, and time points). Developing high quality, region-specific COS for snakebite could inform the design of future trials and improve outcome reporting. Measurement of PROMS, resource use and life impact outcomes in trials on snakebite remains a gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyadeep Bhaumik
- Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales,, Sydney, New South Wales, 2042, Australia,Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, Delhi, 110025, India,Meta-research and Evidence Synthesis Unit, George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, Delhi, 110025, India,
| | - Deepti Beri
- Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Jyoti Tyagi
- Meta-research and Evidence Synthesis Unit, George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Mike Clarke
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sanjib Kumar Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Paula R Williamson
- Department of Health Data Science, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jagnoor Jagnoor
- Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales,, Sydney, New South Wales, 2042, Australia,Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, Delhi, 110025, India
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Bourke LA, Zdenek CN, Tanaka-Azevedo AM, Silveira GPM, Sant’Anna SS, Grego KF, Rodrigues CFB, Fry BG. Clinical and Evolutionary Implications of Dynamic Coagulotoxicity Divergences in Bothrops (Lancehead Pit Viper) Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050297. [PMID: 35622544 PMCID: PMC9148167 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite coagulotoxicity being a primary weapon for prey capture by Bothrops species (lancehead pit vipers) and coagulopathy being a major lethal clinical effect, a genus-wide comparison has not been undertaken. To fill this knowledge gap, we used thromboelastography to compare 37 venoms, from across the full range of geography, taxonomy, and ecology, for their action upon whole plasma and isolated fibrinogen. Potent procoagulant toxicity was shown to be the main venom effect of most of the species tested. However, the most basal species (B. pictus) was strongly anticoagulant; this is consistent with procoagulant toxicity being a novel trait that evolved within Bothrops subsequent to their split from anticoagulant American pit vipers. Intriguingly, two of the arboreal species studied (B. bilineatus and B. taeniatus) lacked procoagulant venom, suggesting differential evolutionary selection pressures. Notably, some terrestrial species have secondarily lost the procoagulant venom trait: the Mogi Mirim, Brazil locality of B. alternatus; San Andres, Mexico locality of B. asper; B. diporus; and the São Roque of B. jararaca. Direct action on fibrinogen was extremely variable; this is consistent with previous hypotheses regarding it being evolutionary decoupled due to procoagulant toxicity being the primary prey-capture weapon. However, human patients live long enough for fibrinogen depletion to be clinically significant. The extreme variability may be reflective of antivenom variability, with these results thereby providing a foundation for such future work of clinical relevance. Similarly, the venom diversification trends relative to ecological niche will also be useful for integration with natural history data, to reconstruct the evolutionary pressures shaping the venoms of these fascinating snakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Allan Bourke
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Correspondence: (L.A.B.); (B.G.F.)
| | - Christina N. Zdenek
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo
- Laboratrio de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.M.T.-A.); (G.P.M.S.); (S.S.S.); (K.F.G.); (C.F.B.R.)
| | - Giovanni Perez Machado Silveira
- Laboratrio de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.M.T.-A.); (G.P.M.S.); (S.S.S.); (K.F.G.); (C.F.B.R.)
| | - Sávio Stefanini Sant’Anna
- Laboratrio de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.M.T.-A.); (G.P.M.S.); (S.S.S.); (K.F.G.); (C.F.B.R.)
| | - Kathleen Fernandes Grego
- Laboratrio de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, Sao Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.M.T.-A.); (G.P.M.S.); (S.S.S.); (K.F.G.); (C.F.B.R.)
| | | | - Bryan Grieg Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Correspondence: (L.A.B.); (B.G.F.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravikar Ralph
- Department of Internal Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632004, India
| | | | - Sanjib Kumar Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, 76500, Nepal
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Dynamic Portfolio, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), 15 Chemin Louis-Dunant, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 6, Geneva, CH 1211, Switzerland
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Bernarde PS, Pucca MB, Mota-da-Silva A, da Fonseca WL, de Almeida MRN, de Oliveira IS, Cerni FA, Gobbi Grazziotin F, Sartim MA, Sachett J, Wen FH, Moura-da-Silva AM, Monteiro WM. Bothrops bilineatus: An Arboreal Pitviper in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Front Immunol 2021; 12:778302. [PMID: 34975866 PMCID: PMC8714932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The two-striped forest-pitviper (Bothrops bilineatus) is an arboreal snake that is currently represented by two subspecies (B. b. bilineatus and B. b. smaragdinus) that comprise a species complex, and its distribution is in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest. The rarity of encounters with this snake is reflected in the low occurrence of cases of snakebites throughout its geographic distribution and the resulting low number of published clinical reports. However, in some areas, B. bilineatus proves to be more frequent and causes envenomations in a greater proportion. Herein, we review the main aspects of the species complex B. bilineatus, including its biology, ecology, taxonomy, morphology, genetic and molecular studies, geographic distribution, conservation status, venom, pathophysiology and clinical aspects, and epidemiology. In addition, the different antivenoms available for the treatment of envenomations caused by B. bilineatus are presented along with suggestions for future studies that are needed for a better understanding of the snakebites caused by this snake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Sérgio Bernarde
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Paulo Sérgio Bernarde, ; Wuelton M. Monteiro,
| | - Manuela Berto Pucca
- Curso de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Isadora Sousa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe Augusto Cerni
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
| | | | - Marco A. Sartim
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Departamento de Pós-Graduação, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fan Hui Wen
- Núcleo Estratégico de Venenos e Antivenenos, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M. Monteiro
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Paulo Sérgio Bernarde, ; Wuelton M. Monteiro,
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Nogueira DCS, Calil IP, Santos RMMD, Andrade Filho AD, Cota G. A phase IV, prospective, observational study of the clinical safety of snake antivenoms. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2021; 63:e79. [PMID: 34878037 PMCID: PMC8660026 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202163079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 2.7 million people worldwide. The treatment is based on the administration of antivenom composed of heterologous immunoglobulins, species-specific therapy involving the possibility of adverse reactions due to activation of the immune system. Considering the scarcity of prospective studies evaluating the safety of snake antivenoms, this study aimed to describe and characterize adverse events after antivenom infusion in an observational, prospective, single-centre investigation conducted in a referral centre in Brazil. A total of 47 victims of snake envenoming were included in the study, who were mostly men (75%), with ages ranging from 2 to 83 years. Twenty-two participants (47%) presented manifestations compatible with infusion-related reactions (IRRs) during or up to two hours after F(ab')2 heterologous immunoglobulin infusion. The most common clinical manifestation related to the infusion was a diffuse cutaneous rash (82%), followed by respiratory manifestations (46%) and facial swelling (23%). In four cases (9%), IRR were considered serious adverse events (SAE), characterized by haemodynamic instability, airway obstruction or hypoxia. Only one patient developed symptoms compatible with serum sickness. Although almost half of the patients treated with antivenom sera experienced IRRs, the SAE rate was 9%; in all cases, the adverse reaction was reversible by using supportive treatment, and there were no deaths. The results have shown that there is much to improve in the antivenom production process to obtain a more purified and specific product. Even so, a timely antivenom serum administration managed by well-trained health teams is safe and prevents complications after snake-related accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iara Pinheiro Calil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto René Rachou, Departamento de Pesquisa Clínica e Políticas Públicas de Doenças Infecto-Parasitárias, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Adebal de Andrade Filho
- Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Hospital João XXIII, Centro de Toxicologia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gláucia Cota
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto René Rachou, Departamento de Pesquisa Clínica e Políticas Públicas de Doenças Infecto-Parasitárias, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Ortiz-Prado E, Yeager J, Andrade F, Schiavi-Guzman C, Abedrabbo-Figueroa P, Terán E, Gómez-Barreno L, Simbaña-Rivera K, Izquierdo-Condoy JS. Snake antivenom production in Ecuador: Poor implementation, and an unplanned cessation leads to a call for a renaissance. Toxicon 2021; 202:90-97. [PMID: 34571098 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a global health problem. This health problem asymmetrically affects rural populations in developing countries to such an extent that it recently has been listed as a priority neglected tropical disease (NTD). It is estimated that 5.4 million individuals are bitten by snakes each year, causing at least 2.7 million envenomations and more than 100,000 deaths each year. Ecuador has one of the highest snakebite envenomation incidence rates in Latin America, mostly in the coastal and Amazonian provinces. Envenomations in these regions are the result of bites primarily by species of snakes belonging to the Viperidae family. Ecuador was able to locally produce antivenoms, however serious flaws were revealed in the antivenom production process, leading to the decommissioning of the existing facility. In the interest of public health, we have summarized the political and social setbacks experienced by the antivenom serum production plant in Ecuador, while encouraging resuming local production of snake antivenom to improve the responsiveness of the already overburdened health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ortiz-Prado
- OneHealth Global Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Justin Yeager
- Biodiversity, Environment, and Health (BIOMAS), Universidad de las Americas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Felipe Andrade
- OneHealth Global Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Enrique Terán
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Lenin Gómez-Barreno
- OneHealth Global Research Group, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
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Larréché S, Chippaux JP, Chevillard L, Mathé S, Résière D, Siguret V, Mégarbane B. Bleeding and Thrombosis: Insights into Pathophysiology of Bothrops Venom-Related Hemostasis Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179643. [PMID: 34502548 PMCID: PMC8431793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins from Bothrops venoms targeting hemostasis are responsible for a broad range of clinical and biological syndromes including local and systemic bleeding, incoagulability, thrombotic microangiopathy and macrothrombosis. Beyond hemostais disorders, toxins are also involved in the pathogenesis of edema and in most complications such as hypovolemia, cardiovascular collapse, acute kidney injury, myonecrosis, compartmental syndrome and superinfection. These toxins can be classified as enzymatic proteins (snake venom metalloproteinases, snake venom serine proteases, phospholipases A2 and L-amino acid oxidases) and non-enzymatic proteins (desintegrins and C-type lectin proteins). Bleeding is due to a multifocal toxicity targeting vessels, platelets and coagulation factors. Vessel damage due to the degradation of basement membrane and the subsequent disruption of endothelial cell integrity under hydrostatic pressure and tangential shear stress is primarily responsible for bleeding. Hemorrhage is promoted by thrombocytopenia, platelet hypoaggregation, consumption coagulopathy and fibrin(ogen)olysis. Onset of thrombotic microangiopathy is probably due to the switch of endothelium to a prothrombotic phenotype with overexpression of tissue factor and other pro-aggregating biomarkers in association with activation of platelets and coagulation. Thrombosis involving large-caliber vessels in B. lanceolatus envenomation remains a unique entity, which exact pathophysiology remains poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Larréché
- INSERM, UMRS-1144, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France; (S.L.); (L.C.); (S.M.)
- Department of Medical Biology, Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, 94160 Saint-Mandé, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Chippaux
- MERIT, IRD, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France;
- CRT, Pasteur Institute, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Lucie Chevillard
- INSERM, UMRS-1144, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France; (S.L.); (L.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Simon Mathé
- INSERM, UMRS-1144, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France; (S.L.); (L.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Dabor Résière
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, Critical Care Department, University Hospital of Martinique, Fort de France, 97200 Martinique, France;
| | - Virginie Siguret
- INSERM, UMRS-1140, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France;
- Laboratory of Hematology, Lariboisière Hospital, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Bruno Mégarbane
- INSERM, UMRS-1144, Paris University, 75006 Paris, France; (S.L.); (L.C.); (S.M.)
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, 75010 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)-143-985-299
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12
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Abouyannis M, Aggarwal D, Lalloo DG, Casewell NR, Hamaluba M, Esmail H. Clinical outcomes and outcome measurement tools reported in randomised controlled trials of treatment for snakebite envenoming: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009589. [PMID: 34339410 PMCID: PMC8360524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snakebite is a priority neglected tropical disease and causes a range of complications that vary depending on the snake species. Randomised clinical trials have used varied outcome measures that do not allow results to be compared or combined. In accordance with the Core Outcomes Measurements in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative, this systematic review aims to support the development of a globally relevant core outcome set for snakebite. METHODS All randomised controlled trials, secondary analyses of randomised controlled trials and study protocols investigating the efficacy of therapeutics for human snakebite envenoming were eligible for inclusion. Study screening and data extraction were conducted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. All primary and secondary outcome measures were extracted and compiled, as were adverse event outcome measures. Similar outcome measures were grouped into domains. The study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO: CRD42020196160. RESULTS This systematic review included 43 randomised controlled trials, two secondary analyses and 13 study protocols. A total of 382 outcome measures were extracted and, after duplicates were merged, there were 153 unique outcomes. The most frequently used outcome domain ('venom antigenaemia') was included in less than one third of the studies. The unique outcomes were classified into 60 outcome domains. Patient-centred outcomes were used in only three of the studies. DISCUSSION Significant heterogeneity in outcome measures exists in snakebite clinical trials. Consensus is needed to select outcome measures that are valid, reliable, patient-centred and feasible. The results of this systematic review strongly support the development of a core outcome set for use in snakebite clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Abouyannis
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Dinesh Aggarwal
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David G. Lalloo
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mainga Hamaluba
- KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hanif Esmail
- MRC clinical trials unit at UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Clinical Features and Management of Snakebite Envenoming in French Guiana. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12100662. [PMID: 33086750 PMCID: PMC7589911 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of snakebite (SB) envenoming in French Guiana (FG) is based on symptomatic measures and antivenom (AV) administration (Antivipmyn Tri®; Instituto Bioclon—Mexico). Our study aimed to assess clinical manifestations, the efficacy, and safety of Antivipmyn Tri® in the management of SB. Our study is a prospective observational work. It was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Cayenne General Hospital between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019. We included all patients hospitalized for SB envenoming. Our study contained three groups (without AV, three vials, and six vials Antivipmyn Tri®). During the study period, 133 patients were included. The main clinical symptoms were edema (98.5%), pain (97.7%), systemic hemorrhage (18%), blister (14.3%), and local hemorrhage (14.3%). AV was prescribed for 83 patients (62.3%), and 17 of them (20%) developed early adverse reactions. Biological parameters at admission showed defibrinogenation in 124 cases (93.2%), International Normalized Ratio (INR) > 2 in 104 cases (78.2%), and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) > 1.5 in 74 cases (55.6%). The time from SB to AV was 9:00 (5:22–20:40). The median time from SB to achieve a normal dosage of fibrinogen was 47:00 vs. 25:30, that of Factor II was 24:55 vs. 15:10, that of Factor V was 31:42 vs. 19:42, and that of Factor VIII was 21:30 vs. 10:20 in patients without and with AV, respectively, (p < 0.001 for all factors). Patients receiving Antivipmyn Tri® showed a reduction in the time to return to normal clotting tests, as compared to those who did not. We suggest assessing other antivenoms available in the region to compare their efficacy and safety with Antivipmyn Tri® in FG.
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14
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Bedside Coagulation Tests in Diagnosing Venom-Induced Consumption Coagulopathy in Snakebite. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090583. [PMID: 32927702 PMCID: PMC7551701 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy is the most important systemic effect of snake envenoming. Coagulation tests are helpful to accurately and promptly diagnose venom-induced consumption coagulopathy and administer antivenom, which is the only specific treatment available. However, bedside clotting tests play a major role in diagnosing coagulopathy in low-income settings, where the majority of snakebites occur. We conducted a literature search in MEDLINE® from 1946 to 30 November 2019, looking for research articles describing clinical studies on bedside coagulation tests in snakebite patients. Out of 442 articles identified, 147 articles describing bedside clotting assays were included in the review. Three main bedside clotting tests were identified, namely the Lee–White clotting test, 20-min whole blood clotting time and venous clotting time. Although the original Lee–White clotting test has never been validated for snake envenoming, a recently validated version has been used in some South American countries. The 20-min whole blood clotting time test is the most commonly used test in a wide range of settings and for taxonomically diverse snake species. Venous clotting time is almost exclusively used in Thailand. Many validation studies have methodological limitations, including small sample size, lack of case-authentication, the inclusion of a heterogeneous mix of snakebites and inappropriate uses of gold standard tests. The observation times for bedside clotting tests were arbitrary, without proper scientific justification. Future research needs to focus on improving the existing 20-min whole blood clotting test, and also on looking for alternative bedside coagulation tests which are cheap, reliable and quicker.
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15
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Sanz L, Quesada-Bernat S, Pérez A, De Morais-Zani K, SantˈAnna SS, Hatakeyama DM, Tasima LJ, De Souza MB, Kayano AM, Zavaleta A, Salas M, Soares AM, Calderón LDA, Tanaka-Azevedo AM, Lomonte B, Calvete JJ, Caldeira CAS. Danger in the Canopy. Comparative Proteomics and Bioactivities of the Venoms of the South American Palm Pit Viper Bothrops bilineatus Subspecies bilineatus and smaragdinus and Antivenomics of B. b. bilineatus (Rondônia) Venom against the Brazilian Pentabothropic Antivenom. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:3518-3532. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Libia Sanz
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Sarai Quesada-Bernat
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Alicia Pérez
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | | | - Sávio S. SantˈAnna
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-000, Brazil
| | | | - Lidia J. Tasima
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-000, Brazil
| | - Moisés B. De Souza
- Universidade Federal do Acre, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Laboratório de Herpetologia, Rio Branco 69915-900, AC, Brazil
| | - Anderson M. Kayano
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil
| | - Alfonso Zavaleta
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 31, Perú
| | - Maria Salas
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 31, Perú
| | - Andreimar M. Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho 76801-974, Brazil
- Centro Universitário São Lucas (UniSL), Porto Velho 76805-846, RO, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia, Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil
| | - Leonardo de A. Calderón
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho 76801-974, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose 11501, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J. Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Cleópatra A. S. Caldeira
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas a Saúde (CEBio), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho 76812-245, RO, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental (PGBIOEXP), Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho 76801-974, Brazil
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16
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Heckmann X, Lambert V, Mion G, Ehrhardt A, Marty C, Perotti F, Carod JF, Jolivet A, Boels D, Lehida Andi I, Larréché S. Failure of a Mexican antivenom on recovery from snakebite-related coagulopathy in French Guiana. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020; 59:193-199. [PMID: 32609546 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1786108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In French Guiana, most snakebites are caused by crotalids, with the main signs being tissue damage and bleeding due to venom-induced coagulopathy. Since December 2014 the Western Guiana Hospital (WGH) has used Antivipmyn Tri TM, a Mexican polyvalent antivenom. The aim of the study was to assess its benefit on the correction of snakebite-related coagulopathy. METHODS This retrospective study included patients hospitalized at the WGH with snakebite and a coagulopathy defined by: a prothrombin rate (PR) lower than 45%, an activated partial thromboplastin time ratio (aPTTr) greater than 2 or a fibrinogen lower than 100 mg.dL-1. The antivenom group included patients receiving Antivipmyn Tri TM from December 2014 to September 2017. The control group included patients admitted between January 2013 and November 2014 (when antivenom was unavailable) or admitted between December 2014 and September 2017 during times of antivenom shortage. We graphically compared the time courses of PR, aPTTr and fibrinogen between groups. Other endpoints were the length of hospital stay and the need for surgery or dialysis. RESULTS 84 patients were included: 42 in the antivenom group, 42 in the control group. Both groups were similar for age, sex-ratio, proportion of bleedings, necrosis, and severity. Most patients in the antivenom group received 3 vials. There were no significant differences in recovery of PR, aPTTr and fibrinogen through the first 24 h. Fibrinogen declined again in the control group at 30 h and showed a slower rise to normal concentration. There were no significant differences in any secondary endpoint. CONCLUSION Antivipmyn Tri TM as currently used did not show any benefit in recovery from coagulopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Heckmann
- Department of Emergency, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana.,French Red Cross, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Véronique Lambert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Georges Mion
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Frédérique Perotti
- Department of Pharmacy, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Jean-François Carod
- Department of Medical Biology, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Anne Jolivet
- Department of Public Health, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - David Boels
- Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Ibrahim Lehida Andi
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Western Guiana Hospital, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Sébastien Larréché
- Department of Medical Biology, Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, Saint-Mandé, France
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17
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Monteiro WM, Contreras-Bernal JC, Bisneto PF, Sachett J, Mendonça da Silva I, Lacerda M, Guimarães da Costa A, Val F, Brasileiro L, Sartim MA, Silva-de-Oliveira S, Bernarde PS, Kaefer IL, Grazziotin FG, Wen FH, Moura-da-Silva AM. Bothrops atrox, the most important snake involved in human envenomings in the amazon: How venomics contributes to the knowledge of snake biology and clinical toxinology. Toxicon X 2020; 6:100037. [PMID: 32550592 PMCID: PMC7285970 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bothrops atrox snakes are mostly endemic of the Amazon rainforest and is certainly the South American pit viper responsible for most of the snakebites in the region. The composition of B. atrox venom is significantly known and has been used to trace the relevance of the venom phenotype for snake biology and for the impacts in the clinics of human patients involved in accidents by B. atrox. However, in spite of the wide distribution and the great medical relevance of B. atrox snakes, B. atrox taxonomy is not fully resolved and the impacts of the lack of taxonomic resolution on the studies focused on venom or envenoming are currently unknown. B. atrox venom presents different degrees of compositional variability and is generally coagulotoxic, inducing systemic hematological disturbances and local tissue damage in snakebite patients. Antivenoms are the effective therapy for attenuating the clinical signs. This review brings a comprehensive discussion of the literature concerning B. atrox snakes encompassing from snake taxonomy, diet and venom composition, towards clinical aspects of snakebite patients and efficacy of the antivenoms. This discussion is highly supported by the contributions that venomics and antivenomics added for the advancement of knowledge of B. atrox snakes, their venoms and the treatment of accidents they evoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jorge Carlos Contreras-Bernal
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ferreira Bisneto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação Alfredo da Matta, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Iran Mendonça da Silva
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marcus Lacerda
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Allyson Guimarães da Costa
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Fernando Val
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Lisele Brasileiro
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Sartim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Sâmella Silva-de-Oliveira
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Bernarde
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Centro Multidisciplinar, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, AC, Brazil
| | - Igor L. Kaefer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Maria Moura-da-Silva
- Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Sanz L, Pérez A, Quesada-Bernat S, Diniz-Sousa R, Calderón LA, Soares AM, Calvete JJ, Caldeira CAS. Venomics and antivenomics of the poorly studied Brazil's lancehead, Bothrops brazili (Hoge, 1954), from the Brazilian State of Pará. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2020; 26:e20190103. [PMID: 32362928 PMCID: PMC7179968 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Brazil’s lancehead, Bothrops brazili, is a poorly
studied pit viper distributed in lowlands of the equatorial rainforests of
southern Colombia, northeastern Peru, eastern Ecuador, southern and
southeastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, and
northern Bolivia. Few studies have been reported on toxins isolated from
venom of Ecuadorian and Brazilian B. brazili. The aim of
the present study was to elucidate the qualitative and quantitative protein
composition of B. brazili venom from Pará (Brazil), and to
carry out a comparative antivenomics assessment of the immunoreactivity of
the Brazilian antibothropic pentavalent antivenom [soro
antibotrópico (SAB) in Portuguese] against the venoms of
B. brazili and reference species, B.
jararaca. Methods: We have applied a quantitative snake venomics approach, including
reverse-phase and two-dimensional electrophoretic decomplexation of the
venom toxin arsenal, LC-ESI-MS mass profiling and peptide-centric MS/MS
proteomic analysis, to unveil the overall protein composition of B.
brazili venom from Pará (Brazil). Using third-generation
antivenomics, the specific and paraspecific immunoreactivity of the
Brazilian SAB against homologous (B. jararaca) and
heterologous (B. brazili) venoms was investigated. Results: The venom proteome of the Brazil’s lancehead (Pará) is predominantly composed
of two major and three minor acidic (19%) and two major and five minor basic
(14%) phospholipase A2 molecules; 7-11 snake venom
metalloproteinases of classes PI (21%) and PIII (6%); 10-12 serine
proteinases (14%), and 1-2 L-amino acid oxidases (6%). Other toxins,
including two cysteine-rich secretory proteins, one C-type lectin-like
molecule, one nerve growth factor, one 5'-nucleotidase, one
phosphodiesterase, one phospholipase B, and one glutaminyl cyclase molecule,
represent together less than 2.7% of the venom proteome. Third generation
antivenomics profile of the Brazilian pentabothropic antivenom showed
paraspecific immunoreactivity against all the toxin classes of B.
brazili venom, with maximal binding capacity of
132.2 mg venom/g antivenom. This figure indicates that 19% of antivenom's
F(ab')2 antibodies bind B. brazili venom
toxins. Conclusion: The proteomics outcome contribute to a deeper insight into the spectrum of
toxins present in the venom of the Brazil’s lancehead, and rationalize the
pathophysiology underlying this snake bite envenomings. The comparative
qualitative and quantitative immunorecognition profile of the Brazilian
pentabothropic antivenom toward the venom toxins of B.
brazili and B. jararaca (the reference venom
for assessing the bothropic antivenom's potency in Brazil), provides clues
about the proper use of the Brazilian antibothropic polyvalent antivenom in
the treatment of bites by the Brazil’s lancehead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libia Sanz
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Pérez
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Sarai Quesada-Bernat
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafaela Diniz-Sousa
- Center for the Study of Biomolecules Applied to Health (CEBio), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,São Lucas University Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Leonardo A Calderón
- Center for the Study of Biomolecules Applied to Health (CEBio), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology, BIONORTE Network, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Aparício Carvalho University Center (FIMCA), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Center for the Study of Biomolecules Applied to Health (CEBio), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,São Lucas University Center (UniSL), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology, BIONORTE Network, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology in Epidemiology of the Western Amazônia, (INCT-EpiAmO), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Cleópatra A S Caldeira
- Center for the Study of Biomolecules Applied to Health (CEBio), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology, BIONORTE Network, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Resiere D, Monteiro W, Houcke S, Pujo JM, Mathien C, Mayence C, Neviere R, Hommel D, de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett J, Mehdaoui H, Gutiérrez JM, Kallel H. Bothrops Snakebite Envenomings in the Amazon Region. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-020-00203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Bolon I, Durso AM, Botero Mesa S, Ray N, Alcoba G, Chappuis F, Ruiz de Castañeda R. Identifying the snake: First scoping review on practices of communities and healthcare providers confronted with snakebite across the world. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229989. [PMID: 32134964 PMCID: PMC7058330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snakebite envenoming is a major global health problem that kills or disables half a million people in the world's poorest countries. Biting snake identification is key to understanding snakebite eco-epidemiology and optimizing its clinical management. The role of snakebite victims and healthcare providers in biting snake identification has not been studied globally. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aims to identify and characterize the practices in biting snake identification across the globe. METHODS Epidemiological studies of snakebite in humans that provide information on biting snake identification were systematically searched in Web of Science and Pubmed from inception to 2nd February 2019. This search was further extended by snowball search, hand searching literature reviews, and using Google Scholar. Two independent reviewers screened publications and charted the data. RESULTS We analysed 150 publications reporting 33,827 snakebite cases across 35 countries. On average 70% of victims/bystanders spotted the snake responsible for the bite and 38% captured/killed it and brought it to the healthcare facility. This practice occurred in 30 countries with both fast-moving, active-foraging as well as more secretive snake species. Methods for identifying biting snakes included snake body examination, victim/bystander biting snake description, interpretation of clinical features, and laboratory tests. In nine publications, a picture of the biting snake was taken and examined by snake experts. Snakes were identified at the species/genus level in only 18,065/33,827 (53%) snakebite cases. 106 misidentifications led to inadequate victim management. The 8,885 biting snakes captured and identified were from 149 species including 71 (48%) non-venomous species. CONCLUSION Snakebite victims and healthcare providers can play a central role in biting snake identification and novel approaches (e.g. photographing the snake, crowdsourcing) could help increase biting snake taxonomy collection to better understand snake ecology and snakebite epidemiology and ultimately improve snakebite management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Bolon
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew M. Durso
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sara Botero Mesa
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Ray
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Alcoba
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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The Brazil’s Lancehead (Bothops brazili): An Uncommon Pit Viper of the Amazonia. Wilderness Environ Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2019.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sarmiento K, Rodríguez A, Quevedo-Buitrago W, Torres I, Ríos C, Ruíz L, Salazar J, Hidalgo-Martínez P, Diez H. Comparación de la eficacia, la seguridad y la farmacocinética de los antivenenos antiofídicos: revisión de literatura. UNIVERSITAS MÉDICA 2019. [DOI: 10.11144/javeriana.umed61-1.anti] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
En Colombia se presentan anualmente alrededor de 5000 casos de mordedura de serpiente y su tratamiento se basa en la neutralización con inmunoglobulinas completas purificadas, sin embargo, globalmente se utilizan antivenenos faboterápicos. Objetivo: Dar a conocer diferencias entre las generaciones de antivenenos, la importancia del veneno en la producción de anticuerpos, comparar aspectos farmacocinéticos y los efectos adversos en pacientes. Materiales Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura en bases de datos utilizando combinaciones de los descriptores y términos Mesh, en inglés y español. Se cotejaron parámetros farmacocinéticos en estudios preclínicos y los efectos adversos en estudios clínicos. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias debidas al tamaño de la fracción de la inmunoglobulina que la compone, así entre más pequeña es ésta, se observa mayor distribución a los tejidos y una vida media más corta, comparada con las moléculas más pesadas. Se encontraron estudios con disminución de efectos adversos con antivenenos faboterápicos
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da Silva AM, Colombini M, Moura-da-Silva AM, de Souza RM, Monteiro WM, Bernarde PS. Ethno-knowledge and attitudes regarding snakebites in the Alto Juruá region, Western Brazilian Amazonia. Toxicon 2019; 171:66-77. [PMID: 31628968 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.10.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Alto Juruá region, located in the extreme western part of the Brazilian Amazonia, possesses an indigenous and riverine population which is involved in agricultural and forest extraction activities, and is a region that stands out for its high incidence of snakebites. OBJECTIVES To assess the attitudes of the victims, the characteristics of the snakes and the circumstances of the snakebites which occurred in a region where human populations are highly exposed to snakes. METHODS The study was conducted at the Regional Hospital of Juruá in the Municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul (Acre), which regularly attends victims of snakebites in the Alto Juruá region. The snakes that caused the envenomations were identified from clinical and epidemiological diagnosis of the symptoms and signs that patients presented during hospital, and by enzyme immunoassay for venom detection using serum samples of the patients, or by identification of the snake responsible for the envenomation when it was taken to the hospital or photographed. People who suffered or witnessed the snakebite were interviewed to assess the circumstances of the bite, the attitude adopted after the accident and whether they recognized the species of snake that caused the envenomation. RESULTS There were 133 cases of snakebite (76.24/100.000 inhabitants), mainly involving male individuals living in the rural area and who had a low level of education. The most affected groups were farmers (48%) and children and teenagers (39%). It was observed that 8.3% of them presented a history of recurrence for bites. The lower limbs were the most affected anatomical region (84%). The Bothrops atrox snake, mainly small specimens (mostly juveniles), was the main species involved in the envenomations (83.4%). Snakebites occurred mainly in forest areas, backyards of houses in rural areas and near to aquatic environments, during activities (walking, farming, extractivism, hunting). Most of the time, the snake was on the ground and the bite occurred because of the approximation of the individual, either by trampling or by approximation of a hand. Half of the victims performed some kind of inadequate first aid (not drinking water, use of tourniquet, incision at the site of the bite, use of black stone, drinking a compound "Específico Pessoa"). CONCLUSIONS Snakebite is an important cause of morbidity in the Alto Juruá region. Bothrops bites are mostly caused by small-sized specimens, probably due to the greater abundance of B. atrox juveniles, and also because small snakes are more difficult for people to see. People are more often bitten on the lower limbs probably due to the size of B. atrox (small and medium) and because the snakes are usually on the ground in most situations. Many victims resort to ineffective actions that can cause complications and also delay serotherapy. A low level of education is a factor that may contribute to worse outcomes in snakebites since it is associated with a lack of knowledge of preventive and first aid measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ageane Mota da Silva
- Instituto Federal do Acre, Campus de Cruzeiro do Sul, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Bionorte, Universidade Federal do Acre, Campus Universitário, BR 364, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
| | - Mônica Colombini
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Medeiros de Souza
- Laboratório de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro Multidisciplinar, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, AC, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Bernarde
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Centro Multidisciplinar, Campus Floresta, Universidade Federal do Acre, Cruzeiro do Sul, AC, Brazil.
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Acute Severe Anaphylaxis in Nepali Patients with Neurotoxic Snakebite Envenoming Treated with the VINS Polyvalent Antivenom. J Trop Med 2019; 2019:2689171. [PMID: 31205473 PMCID: PMC6530221 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2689171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosing and treating acute severe and recurrent antivenom-related anaphylaxis (ARA) is challenging and reported experience is limited. Herein, we describe our experience of severe ARA in patients with neurotoxic snakebite envenoming in Nepal. Patients were enrolled in a randomised, double-blind trial of high vs. low dose antivenom, given by intravenous (IV) push, followed by infusion. Training in ARA management emphasised stopping antivenom and giving intramuscular (IM) adrenaline, IV hydrocortisone, and IV chlorphenamine at the first sign/s of ARA. Later, IV adrenaline infusion (IVAI) was introduced for patients with antecedent ARA requiring additional antivenom infusions. Preantivenom subcutaneous adrenaline (SCAd) was introduced in the second study year (2012). Of 155 envenomed patients who received ≥ 1 antivenom dose, 13 (8.4%), three children (aged 5−11 years) and 10 adults (18−52 years), developed clinical features consistent with severe ARA, including six with overlapping signs of severe envenoming. Four and nine patients received low and high dose antivenom, respectively, and six had received SCAd. Principal signs of severe ARA were dyspnoea alone (n=5 patients), dyspnoea with wheezing (n=3), hypotension (n=3), shock (n=3), restlessness (n=3), respiratory/cardiorespiratory arrest (n=7), and early (n=1) and late laryngeal oedema (n=1); rash was associated with severe ARA in 10 patients. Four patients were given IVAI. Of the 8 (5.1%) deaths, three occurred in transit to hospital. Severe ARA was common and recurrent and had overlapping signs with severe neurotoxic envenoming. Optimising the management of ARA at different healthy system levels needs more research. This trial is registered with NCT01284855.
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Mutricy R, Heckmann X, Douine M, Marty C, Jolivet A, Lambert V, Perotti F, Boels D, Larréché S, Chippaux JP, Nacher M, Epelboin L. High mortality due to snakebites in French Guiana: Time has come to re-evaluate medical management protocols. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006482. [PMID: 30024888 PMCID: PMC6053130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Mutricy
- CIC Inserm 1424 Antilles Guyane, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Xavier Heckmann
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier de l’Ouest Guyanais, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Maylis Douine
- CIC Inserm 1424 Antilles Guyane, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Emergency Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | | | - Anne Jolivet
- Department of Public Health, Centre Hospitalier de l'Ouest Guyanais, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Véronique Lambert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Ouest Guyanais, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Frédérique Perotti
- Pharmacy, Centre Hospitalier de l’Ouest Guyanais, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - David Boels
- Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Sébastien Larréché
- Medical Biology Department, Hôpital d'Instruction Des Armées Bégin, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Chippaux
- CERPAGE, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin
- Mère et enfant face aux infections tropicales and PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Nacher
- CIC Inserm 1424 Antilles Guyane, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Ouest Guyanais, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Loïc Epelboin
- Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
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Williams DJ, Habib AG, Warrell DA. Clinical studies of the effectiveness and safety of antivenoms. Toxicon 2018; 150:1-10. [PMID: 29746978 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In the 1890s, hyperimmune sera proved effective in animals against challenge by the snake venom against which they had been raised. They were first used, apparently successfully, in a human patient in about 1895. Since then, antivenoms have become accepted as the only reliable specific treatment for snake-bite envenoming. Despite decades of accumulated clinical experience and a number of published randomized comparative and observational studies, the clinical effectiveness and safety of some antivenoms remain open to question, due to a lack of robust randomized controlled trial data. Antivenoms in some poorly regulated markets may have high rates of potentially fatal adverse effects and their use must be balanced by demonstrable effectiveness. Even those manufactured to strict regulatory requirements may pose a rare risk of severe adverse reactions. Most antivenoms currently marketed around the world were registered without first being studied clinically. There is increasing pressure to subject antivenoms, even those that are long-established, to the same protocols of rigorous pre-clinical and clinical assessment that are standard regulatory requirements for other drugs. Conventional clinical testing progresses through Phases I, II, III to IV. Most authorities consider antivenoms too dangerous to be used in Phase I studies in healthy volunteers. An alternative method for preliminary estimation of safety, dose-finding and effectiveness, is proposed - the "3 + 3" dose escalation or de-escalation design, in volunteer patients, as used in oncology to test cytotoxic drugs. Antivenoms are so widely used and well trusted, that there are few ethical justifications for placebo controls. However, placebo might be ethically justified if there were no proven effective treatment and or if withholding or delaying treatment posed acceptably negligible risks to the participants. Antivenom trials are most urgently needed in low-to middle-income countries where there are many practical, logistical and funding challenges. Basic requirements for clinical trials include identification of the biting species of snake in every case; the use of objective, clinically-relevant endpoints, such as restoration of blood coagulability; definition of inclusion, exclusion and withdrawal criteria; assurance of antivenom safety; ethical considerations; inclusion of one or more control (comparator) groups; and analysis based on intention to treat. The highest quality evidence comes from Phase II and larger Phase III studies that have been designed as statistically powerful, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs), ideally with blinding of patients and investigators to avoid bias. Because of the challenges to carrying out clinical trials of antivenoms, Phase IV trials (post-marketing surveillance) are potentially more important and useful than for most other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Williams
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko, NCD, 121, Papua New Guinea.
| | - Abdulrazaq G Habib
- Department of Medicine, Bayero University Kano, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, PMB 3452, Kano, Nigeria.
| | - David A Warrell
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
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Mendonça-da-Silva I, Magela Tavares A, Sachett J, Sardinha JF, Zaparolli L, Gomes Santos MF, Lacerda M, Monteiro WM. Safety and efficacy of a freeze-dried trivalent antivenom for snakebites in the Brazilian Amazon: An open randomized controlled phase IIb clinical trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006068. [PMID: 29176824 PMCID: PMC5720814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In tropical areas, a major concern regarding snakebites treatment effectiveness relates to the failure in liquid antivenom (AV) distribution due to the lack of an adequate cold chain in remote areas. To minimize this problem, freeze-drying has been suggested to improve AV stability. METHODS AND FINDINGS This study compares the safety and efficacy of a freeze-dried trivalent antivenom (FDTAV) and the standard liquid AV provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (SLAV) to treat Bothrops, Lachesis and Crotalus snakebites. This was a prospective, randomized, open, phase IIb trial, carried out from June 2005 to May 2008 in the Brazilian Amazon. Primary efficacy endpoints were the suppression of clinical manifestations and return of hemostasis and renal function markers to normal ranges within the first 24 hours of follow-up. Primary safety endpoint was the presence of early adverse reactions (EAR) in the first 24 hours after treatment. FDTAV thermal stability was determined by estimating AV potency over one year at 56°C. Of the patients recruited, 65 and 51 were assigned to FDTAV and SLAV groups, respectively. Only mild EARs were reported, and they were not different between groups. There were no differences in fibrinogen (p = 0.911) and clotting time (p = 0.982) recovery between FDTAV and SLAV treated groups for Bothrops snakebites. For Lachesis and Crotalus snakebites, coagulation parameters and creatine phosphokinase presented normal values 24 hours after AV therapy for both antivenoms. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Since promising results were observed for efficacy, safety and thermal stability, our results indicate that FDTAV is suitable for a larger phase III trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTNregistry: ISRCTN12845255; DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN12845255 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12845255).
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Affiliation(s)
- Iran Mendonça-da-Silva
- Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Antônio Magela Tavares
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Sachett
- Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - José Felipe Sardinha
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Lilian Zaparolli
- Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Lacerda
- Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that kills >100,000 people and maims >400,000 people every year. Impoverished populations living in the rural tropics are particularly vulnerable; snakebite envenoming perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins that exert a wide range of toxic actions. The high variability in snake venom composition is responsible for the various clinical manifestations in envenomings, ranging from local tissue damage to potentially life-threatening systemic effects. Intravenous administration of antivenom is the only specific treatment to counteract envenoming. Analgesics, ventilator support, fluid therapy, haemodialysis and antibiotic therapy are also used. Novel therapeutic alternatives based on recombinant antibody technologies and new toxin inhibitors are being explored. Confronting snakebite envenoming at a global level demands the implementation of an integrated intervention strategy involving the WHO, the research community, antivenom manufacturers, regulatory agencies, national and regional health authorities, professional health organizations, international funding agencies, advocacy groups and civil society institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, PO Box 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Robert A Harrison
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David J Williams
- Charles Campbell Toxinology Centre, School of Medicine &Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David A Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Isbister GK, Jayamanne S, Mohamed F, Dawson AH, Maduwage K, Gawarammana I, Lalloo DG, de Silva HJ, Scorgie FE, Lincz LF, Buckley NA. A randomized controlled trial of fresh frozen plasma for coagulopathy in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming. J Thromb Haemost 2017; 15:645-654. [PMID: 28106331 PMCID: PMC5408386 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Essentials Russell's viper envenoming is a major health issue in South Asia and causes coagulopathy. We studied the effect of fresh frozen plasma and two antivenom doses on correcting coagulopathy. Fresh frozen plasma did not hasten recovery of coagulopathy. Low-dose antivenom did not worsen coagulopathy. SUMMARY Background Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming is a major health issue in South Asia and causes venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). Objectives To investigate the effects of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and two antivenom doses in correcting VICC. Methods We undertook an open-label randomized controlled trial in patients with VICC at two Sri Lankan hospitals. Patients with suspected Russell's viper bites and coagulopathy were randomly allocated (1 : 1) to high-dose antivenom (20 vials) or low-dose antivenom (10 vials) plus 4 U of FFP. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of < 2 at 6 h after antivenom administration. Secondary outcomes included anaphylaxis, major hemorrhage, death, and clotting factor recovery. Results From 214 eligible patients, 141 were randomized: 71 to high-dose antivenom, and 70 to low-dose antivenom/FFP; five had no post-antivenom blood tests. The groups were similar except for a delay of 1 h in antivenom administration for FFP patients. Six hours after antivenom administration, 23 of 69 (33%) patients allocated to high-dose antivenom had an INR of < 2, as compared with 28 of 67 (42%) allocated to low-dose antivenom/FFP (absolute difference 8%; 95% confidence interval - 8% to 25%). Fifteen patients allocated to FFP did not receive it. Severe anaphylaxis occurred equally frequently in each group. One patient given FFP developed transfusion-related acute lung injury. Three deaths occurred in low-dose antivenom/FFP patients, including one intracranial hemorrhage. There was no difference in recovery rates of INR or fibrinogen, but there was more rapid initial recovery of factor V and FX in FFP patients. Conclusion FFP after antivenom administration in patients with Russell's viper bites did not hasten recovery of coagulopathy. Low-dose antivenom/FFP did not worsen VICC, suggesting that low-dose antivenom is sufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. K. Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research GroupUniversity of NewcastleNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
| | - S. Jayamanne
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of KelaniyaRagamaSri Lanka
| | - F. Mohamed
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
| | - A. H. Dawson
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of PharmacologySOMSSydney Medical SchoolUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - K. Maduwage
- Clinical Toxicology Research GroupUniversity of NewcastleNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of BiochemistryFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
| | - I. Gawarammana
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
| | - D. G. Lalloo
- Clinical Sciences and International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - H. J. de Silva
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of KelaniyaRagamaSri Lanka
| | - F. E. Scorgie
- Hunter Haematology Research GroupCalvary Mater NewcastleNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - L. F. Lincz
- Hunter Haematology Research GroupCalvary Mater NewcastleNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - N. A. Buckley
- South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research CollaborationFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- Department of PharmacologySOMSSydney Medical SchoolUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Ratnayake I, Shihana F, Dissanayake DM, Buckley NA, Maduwage K, Isbister GK. Performance of the 20-minute whole blood clotting test in detecting venom induced consumption coagulopathy from Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) bites. Thromb Haemost 2017; 117:500-507. [PMID: 28150853 DOI: 10.1160/th16-10-0769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The 20-minute whole blood clotting test (WBCT20) is used as a bedside diagnostic test for coagulopathic snake envenoming. We aimed to assess the performance of the WBCT20 in diagnosis of venom induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) in Russell's viper envenoming. Adult patients admitted with suspected snake bites were recruited from two hospitals. WBCT20 and prothrombin time (PT) test were performed on admission. WBCT20 was done by trained clinical research assistants using 1 ml whole blood in a 5 ml borosilicate glass tube with a 10 mm internal diameter. The PT was measured by a semi-automated coagulation system and international normalised ratio (INR) calculated. VICC was defined as present if the INR was >1.4. The diagnostic utility of WBCT20 was determined by calculating the sensitivity and specificity of the WBCT20 on admission for detecting VICC. There were 987 snake bites where both WBCT20 and PT were done on admission samples. This included 79 patients (8 %) with VICC. The WBCT20 was positive in 65/79 patients with VICC (sensitivity 82 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 72-90 %) and was falsely positive in 13/908 with no coagulopathy. The WBCT20 was negative in 895/908 snake bites with no coagulopathy (specificity: 98 % 95 % CI: 97-99 %) and was falsely negative in 14/79 with VICC. Using trained clinical staff, the WBCT20 test had a relatively good sensitivity for the detection of VICC, but still missed almost one fifth of cases where antivenom was potentially indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Geoffrey K Isbister
- Geoffrey K. Isbister, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, c/o Calvary Mater Newcastle, Edith Street, Waratah NSW 2298, Australia, Tel.: +612 4921 1211, Fax: +612 4921 1870, E-mail:
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Means R, Cabrera J, Moreno X, Amini R. Remote South American Snakebite with Extensive Myonecrosis. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2017; 1:47-49. [PMID: 29849429 PMCID: PMC5965440 DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2016.11.31220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This report describes a patient envenomated by a Bothrops atrox, common fer-de-lance viper, in the remote rainforest of eastern Ecuador and without access to definitive care for seven days. Antivenom was not administered; by the time of presentation to a hospital, he had suffered myonecrosis of his lower leg, which was treated with debridement and eventual skin graft. The ramifications of this long evacuation demonstrate the need for more accessible health services and educational outreach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russel Means
- University of Arizona, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | | | - Xavier Moreno
- Macas General Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Macas, Ecuador
| | - Richard Amini
- University of Arizona, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
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Carrasco PA, Venegas PJ, Chaparro JC, Scrocchi GJ. Nomenclatural instability in the venomous snakes of the Bothrops complex: Implications in toxinology and public health. Toxicon 2016; 119:122-8. [PMID: 27242040 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Since nomenclature is intended to reflect the evolutionary history of organisms, advances in our understanding of historical relationships may lead to changes in classification, and thus potentially in taxonomic instability. An unstable nomenclature for medically important animals like venomous snakes is of concern, and its implications in venom/antivenom research and snakebite treatment have been extensively discussed since the 90´s. The taxonomy of the pitvipers of the Bothrops complex has been historically problematic and different genus-level rearrangements were proposed to rectify the long-standing paraphyly of the group. Here we review the toxinological literature on the Bothrops complex to estimate the impact of recent proposals of classification in non-systematic research. This assessment revealed moderate levels of nomenclatural instability in the last five years, and the recurrence of some practices discussed in previous studies regarding the use of classifications and the information provided about the origin of venom samples. We briefly comment on a few examples and the implications of different proposals of classifications for the Bothrops complex. The aim of this review is to contribute to the reduction of adverse effects of current taxonomic instability in a group of medical importance in the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Andrea Carrasco
- Centro de Zoología Aplicada, Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Rondeau 798, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Pablo Javier Venegas
- División de Herpetología, Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Santa Rita, 10536, Of. 202, Huertos de San Antonio, Surco, Lima, Perú
| | - Juan Carlos Chaparro
- Departamento de Herpetología del Museo de Historia Natural del Cusco, Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Plaza de Armas del Cusco s/n, Cusco, Perú
| | - Gustavo José Scrocchi
- CONICET and Instituto de Herpetología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
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Dixit R, Herz J, Dalton R, Booy R. Benefits of using heterologous polyclonal antibodies and potential applications to new and undertreated infectious pathogens. Vaccine 2016; 34:1152-61. [PMID: 26802604 PMCID: PMC7131169 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Passive immunotherapy using polyclonal antibodies (immunoglobulins) has been used for over a century in the treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of various infections and toxins. Heterologous polyclonal antibodies are obtained from animals hyperimmunised with a pathogen or toxin. AIMS The aims of this review are to examine the history of animal polyclonal antibody therapy use, their development into safe and effective products and the potential application to humans for emerging and neglected infectious diseases. METHODS A literature search of OVID Medline and OVID Embase databases was undertaken to identify articles on the safety, efficacy and ongoing development of polyclonal antibodies. The search contained database-specific MeSH and EMTREE terms in combination with pertinent text-words: polyclonal antibodies and rare/neglected diseases, antivenins, immunoglobulins, serum sickness, anaphylaxis, drug safety, post marketing surveillance, rabies, human influenza, Dengue, West Nile, Nipah, Hendra, Marburg, MERS, Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, and Crimean-Congo. No language limits were applied. The final search was completed on 20.06.2015. Of 1960 articles, title searches excluded many irrelevant articles, yielding 303 articles read in full. Of these, 179 are referenced in this study. RESULTS Serum therapy was first used in the 1890s against diphtheria. Early preparation techniques yielded products contaminated with reactogenic animal proteins. The introduction of enzymatic digestion, and purification techniques substantially improved their safety profile. The removal of the Fc fragment of antibodies further reduces hypersensitivity reactions. Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of polyclonal antibodies against various infections, toxins and venoms. Products are being developed against infections for which prophylactic and therapeutic options are currently limited, such as avian influenza, Ebola and other zoonotic viruses. CONCLUSIONS Polyclonal antibodies have been successfully applied to rabies, envenomation and intoxication. Polyclonal production provides an exciting opportunity to revolutionise the prognosis of both longstanding neglected tropical diseases as well as emerging infectious threats to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Dixit
- The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | | - Robert Booy
- The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, Australia
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Maduwage K, Buckley NA, de Silva HJ, Lalloo DG, Isbister GK. Snake antivenom for snake venom induced consumption coagulopathy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD011428. [PMID: 26058967 PMCID: PMC11103661 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011428.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snake venom induced consumption coagulopathy is a major systemic effect of envenoming. Observational studies suggest that antivenom improves outcomes for venom induced consumption coagulopathy in some snakebites and not others. However, the effectiveness of snake antivenom in all cases of venom induced consumption coagulopathy is controversial. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of snake antivenom as a treatment for venom induced consumption coagulopathy in people with snake bite. SEARCH METHODS The search was done on 30 January 2015. We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group's Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library), Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily and Ovid OLDMEDLINE(R), Embase Classic+Embase (OvidSP), three other sources, clinical trials registers, and we also screened reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA All completed, published or unpublished, randomised, controlled trials with a placebo or no treatment arm, where snake antivenom was administered for venom induced consumption coagulopathy in humans with snake bites. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors reviewed the identified trials and independently applied the selection criteria. MAIN RESULTS No studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Randomised placebo-controlled trials are required to investigate the effectiveness of snake antivenom for clinically relevant outcomes in patients with venom induced consumption coagulopathy resulting from snake bite. Although ethically difficult, the routine administration of a treatment that has a significant risk of anaphylaxis cannot continue without strong evidence of benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalana Maduwage
- University of NewcastleSchool of Medicine and Public HealthC/O Calvary Mater NewcastleWaratahNSWAustralia2294
| | - Nick A Buckley
- University of SydneyDepartment of PharmacologyBlackburn Building D06Sydney Medical SchoolCamperdownNSWAustralia2006
| | | | - David G Lalloo
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineClinical Research GroupPembroke PlaceLiverpoolMerseysideUKL3 5QA
| | - Geoffrey K Isbister
- University of NewcastleSchool of Medicine and Public HealthC/O Calvary Mater NewcastleWaratahNSWAustralia2294
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Berling I, Isbister GK. Hematologic effects and complications of snake envenoming. Transfus Med Rev 2014; 29:82-9. [PMID: 25556574 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hematologic abnormalities are the most common effects of snake envenoming globally. Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is the commonest and most important. Other hematologic abnormalities are an anticoagulant coagulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy. Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy is a venom-induced activation of the clotting pathway by procoagulant toxins, resulting in clotting factor consumption and coagulopathy. The type of procoagulant toxin differs between snakes and can activate prothrombin, factor X, and factor V or consume fibrinogen. The most useful investigation in VICC is a prothrombin time/international normalized ratio. The d-dimer may assist in early diagnosis, but fibrinogen levels often add little in the clinical setting. Bedside investigations would be ideal, but point-of-care testing international normalized ratio and whole blood clotting tests have been shown to be unreliable in VICC. The major complication of VICC is hemorrhage, including intracranial hemorrhage which is often fatal. The role of antivenom in VICC is controversial and may only be beneficial for some types of snakes including Echis spp where the duration of abnormal clotting is reduced from more than a week to 24 to 48 hours. In contrast, antivenom does not appear to speed the recovery of VICC in Australian snake envenoming. Other treatments for VICC include factor replacement, observation and prevention of trauma, and heparin. An Australian study showed that fresh-frozen plasma speeds recovery of VICC, but early use may increase consumption. There is no evidence to support heparin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Berling
- Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey K Isbister
- Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Abstract
Venomous snakebite is considered the single most important cause of human injury from venomous animals worldwide. Coagulopathy is one of the commonest important systemic clinical syndromes and can be complicated by serious and life-threatening haemorrhage. Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is the commonest coagulopathy resulting from snakebite and occurs in envenoming by Viperid snakes, certain elapids, including Australian elapids, and a few Colubrid (rear fang) snakes. Procoagulant toxins activate the clotting pathway, causing a broad range of factor deficiencies depending on the particular procoagulant toxin in the snake venom. Diagnosis and monitoring of coagulopathy is problematic, particularly in resource-poor countries where further research is required to develop more reliable, cheap clotting tests. MEDLINE and EMBASE up to September 2013 were searched to identify clinical studies of snake envenoming with VICC. The UniPort database was searched for coagulant snake toxins. Despite preclinical studies demonstrating antivenom binding toxins (efficacy), there was less evidence to support clinical effectiveness of antivenom for VICC. There were no placebo-controlled trials of antivenom for VICC. There were 25 randomised comparative trials of antivenom for VICC, which compared two different antivenoms (ten studies), three different antivenoms (four), two or three different doses or repeat doses of antivenom (five), heparin treatment and antivenom (five), and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and antivenom (one). There were 13 studies that compared two groups in which there was no randomisation, including studies with historical controls. There have been numerous observational studies of antivenom in VICC but with no comparison group. Most of the controlled trials were small, did not use the same method for assessing coagulopathy, varied the dose of antivenom, and did not provide complete details of the study design (primary outcomes, randomisation, and allocation concealment). Non-randomised trials including comparison groups without antivenom showed that antivenom was effective for some snakes (e.g., Echis), but not others (e.g., Australasian elapids). Antivenom is the major treatment for VICC, but there is currently little high-quality evidence to support effectiveness. Antivenom is not risk free, and adverse reactions can be quite common and potentially severe. Studies of heparin did not demonstrate it improved outcomes in VICC. Fresh frozen plasma appeared to speed the recovery of coagulopathy and should be considered in bleeding patients.
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Laines J, Segura Á, Villalta M, Herrera M, Vargas M, Alvarez G, Gutiérrez JM, León G. Toxicity of Bothrops sp snake venoms from Ecuador and preclinical assessment of the neutralizing efficacy of a polyspecific antivenom from Costa Rica. Toxicon 2014; 88:34-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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de Roodt AR, Clement H, Dolab JA, Litwin S, Hajos SE, Boyer L, Alagón A. Protein content of antivenoms and relationship with their immunochemical reactivity and neutralization assays. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2014; 52:594-603. [PMID: 24940642 DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2014.925561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Therapy for snakebites relies on the application of antivenoms, which may be produced with different immunogenic mixtures of venom and possess different pharmaceutical characteristics. For these reasons, immunological cross-reactivity and heterologous neutralization were analyzed relative to the protein content of three antivenoms used in the Americas. METHODS The antivenoms studied were composed of equine F(ab')2 fragments from animals immunized with Crotalinae venoms. The antivenoms were tested against venoms of seven pit viper species from Argentina, seven from Mexico, one from Costa Rica, and one from Colombia. RESULTS Immunoblotting showed high cross-reactivity of all major protein bands with all the antivenoms tested. ELISA results also showed high cross-reactivity among the different venoms and antivenoms, and a high heterologous neutralization was observed. The results can be interpreted in different ways depending on whether the reactivity is considered in terms of the volume of antivenom used or by the amount of protein contained in this volume of antivenom. The antivenoms with high immunochemical reactivity and neutralizing capacity were those with higher protein content per vial; but when doses were adjusted by protein content, antivenoms of apparently lower neutralizing capacity and immunochemical reactivity showed at least similar potency and reactivity although volumetrically at higher doses. CONCLUSION Protein content relative to neutralization potency of different products must be taken into account when antivenoms are compared, in addition to the volume required for therapeutic effect. These results show the importance of obtaining high-affinity and high-avidity antibodies to achieve good neutralization using low protein concentration and low-volume antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R de Roodt
- Research and Development, INPB-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministriy of Health, and LabToxPat, CPEyA, Faculty of Medicine University of Buenos Aires , Argentina
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Gutiérrez JM. Reducing the impact of snakebite envenoming in Latin America and the Caribbean: achievements and challenges ahead. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2014; 108:530-7. [PMID: 25096295 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/tru102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming constitutes an important public health problem in Latin America and some countries of the Caribbean. The advances and pending tasks in the study and control of this neglected tropical disease in this region are reviewed in the light of a roadmap proposed in 2006. Significant progress has been achieved in the study of snake venoms, particularly regarding venom proteomics, i.e.'venomics', and the analysis of the mechanism of action of toxins. Likewise, a deeper understanding has been gained in the preclinical efficacy of antivenoms produced in the region. In contrast, despite advances made in the study of clinical manifestations of envenomings and safety and efficacy of antivenoms at the clinical level, much remains to be done in this subject. Improvements have occurred in antivenom manufacturing technologies and availability, although there are still countries where there is insufficient supply of antivenoms, or where manufacture has to be improved. In spite of considerable efforts in some countries in prevention, accessibility to treatment, and training of health staff in the management of envenomings, important challenges remain for the region as a whole, with the long term goal of reducing the impact of this disease in terms of personal and social suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Torrez P, Said R, Quiroga M, Duarte M, França F. Forest pit viper (Bothriopsis bilineata bilineata) bite in the Brazilian Amazon with acute kidney injury and persistent thrombocytopenia. Toxicon 2014; 85:27-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Theakston RDG, Laing GD. Diagnosis of snakebite and the importance of immunological tests in venom research. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:1667-95. [PMID: 24859244 PMCID: PMC4052258 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6051667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- R David G Theakston
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Gavin D Laing
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
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Gaus DP, Herrera DF, Troya CJ, Guevara AH. Management of Snakebite and Systemic Envenomation in Rural Ecuador Using the 20-minute Whole Blood Clotting Test. Wilderness Environ Med 2013; 24:345-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Isbister GK, Maduwage K, Shahmy S, Mohamed F, Abeysinghe C, Karunathilake H, Ariaratnam CA, Buckley NA. Diagnostic 20-min whole blood clotting test in Russell's viper envenoming delays antivenom administration. QJM 2013; 106:925-32. [PMID: 23674721 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hct102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 20-min whole blood clotting test (WBCT20) is widely used for the identification of coagulopathy in snake envenoming, but its performance in practice has not been evaluated. AIM We aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of the WBCT20 for coagulopathy in Russell's viper envenoming. DESIGN Prospective observational study. METHODS Adult patients with snake envenoming were recruited. Age, sex, bite information, clinical effects, serial WBCT20 and antivenom treatment were recorded. Definite Russell's viper envenoming was confirmed with venom specific enzyme immunoassay. We assessed sensitivity of admission WBCT20 to coagulopathy (international normalized ratio, INR > 1.5) in Russell's viper envenoming, the specificity of negative WBCT20 in non-envenomed patients and directly compared paired WBCT20 and INR. RESULTS Admission WBCT20 was done in 140 Russell's viper bites with coagulopathy and was positive in 56/140 [sensitivity 40% (95% confidence interval (CI): 32-49%)]. A negative WBCT20 led to delayed antivenom administration [WBCT20-ve tests: median delay, 1.78 h (interquartile range (IQR): 0.83-3.7 h) vs. WBCT20 + ve tests: median delay, 0.82 h (IQR: 0.58-1.48 h); P = 0.0007]. Delays to antivenom were largely a consequence of further WBCT20 being performed and more common if the first test was negative (41/84 vs. 12/56). Initial WBCT20 was negative in 9 non-envenomed patients and 48 non-venomous snakebites [specificity: 100% (95% CI: 94-100%)]. In 221 paired tests with INR > 1.5, the WBCT20 was positive in 91(41%). The proportion of positive WBCT20 only increased slightly with higher INR. CONCLUSION In clinical practice, the WBCT20 has low sensitivity for detecting coagulopathy in snake envenoming and should not over-ride clinical assessment-based decisions about antivenom administration. There is an urgent need to develop a simple bedside test for coagulopathy in snake envenoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Isbister
- Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Edith St, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia.
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Setubal SDS, Pontes AS, Nery NM, Bastos JSF, Castro OB, Pires WL, Zaqueo KD, Calderon LDA, Stábeli RG, Soares AM, Zuliani JP. Effect of Bothrops bilineata snake venom on neutrophil function. Toxicon 2013; 76:143-9. [PMID: 24080355 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2013.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of Bothrops bilineata crude venom (BbV) on isolated human neutrophil function. We proved that BbV isn't toxic towards human neutrophils. During an incubation of human neutrophils with BbV hydrogen peroxide was produced. Moreover, BbV was able to stimulate neutrophil release of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-8 and IL-6 as well as PGE2 and NETs liberation. There is no data in the literature showing the effect of BbV on the production of IL-6 and IL-8 or NETs liberation by isolated human neutrophils. Taken together our results testify that BbV triggers relevant proinflammatory events in human neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulamita da Silva Setubal
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular Aplicada à Saúde, Instituto de Pesquisas em Patologias Tropicais, IPEPATRO/FIOCRUZ Rondonia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
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Isbister GK, Buckley NA, Page CB, Scorgie FE, Lincz LF, Seldon M, Brown SGA. A randomized controlled trial of fresh frozen plasma for treating venom-induced consumption coagulopathy in cases of Australian snakebite (ASP-18). J Thromb Haemost 2013; 11:1310-8. [PMID: 23565941 DOI: 10.1111/jth.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is a major effect of snake envenoming. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether fresh frozen plasma (FFP) given after antivenom resulted in more rapid correction of coagulation. PATIENTS/METHODS This was a multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial in patients with VICC of FFP vs. no FFP within 4 h of antivenom administration. Patients (> 2 years) recruited to the Australian snakebite project with VICC (International Normalized Ratio [INR] > 3) were eligible. Patients were randomized 2 : 1 to receive FFP or no FFP. The primary outcome was the proportion with an INR of < 2 at 6 h after antivenom administration. Secondary outcomes included time from antivenom administration to discharge, adverse effects, major hemorrhage, and death. RESULTS Of 70 eligible patients, 65 consented to be randomized: 41 to FFP, and 24 to no FFP. Six hours after antivenom administration, more patients randomized to FFP had an INR of < 2 (30/41 [73%] vs. 6/24 [25%]; absolute difference, 48%; 95% confidence interval 23-73%; P = 0.0002). The median time from antivenom administration to discharge was similar (34 h, range 14-230 h vs. 39 h, range 14-321 h; P = 0.44). Seven patients developed systemic hypersensitivity reactions after antivenom administration - two mild and one severe (FFP arm), and three mild and one severe (no FFP). One serious adverse event (intracranial hemorrhage and death) occurred in an FFP patient with pre-existing hypertension, who was hypertensive on admission, and developed a headache 6 h after FFP administration. Post hoc analysis showed that the median time from bite to FFP administration was significantly shorter for non-responders to FFP than for responders (4.7 h, interquartile range [IQR] 4.2-6.7 h vs. 7.3 h, IQR 6.1-8 h; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS FFP administration after antivenom administration results in more rapid restoration of clotting function in most patients, but no decrease in discharge time. Early FFP administration (< 6-8 h) post-bite is less likely to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Isbister
- Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
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Sharma SK, Bovier P, Jha N, Alirol E, Loutan L, Chappuis F. Effectiveness of rapid transport of victims and community health education on snake bite fatalities in rural Nepal. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 89:145-50. [PMID: 23568287 PMCID: PMC3748471 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake bite is a major public problem in the rural tropics. In southern Nepal, most deaths caused by neurotoxic envenomation occur in the village or during transport to health centers. The effectiveness of victims' transport by motorcycle volunteers to a specialized treatment center, combined with community health education, was assessed in a non-randomized, single-arm, before-after study conducted in four villages (population = 62,127). The case-fatality rate of snake bite decreased from 10.5% in the pre-intervention period to 0.5% during the intervention (relative risk reduction = 0.949, 95% confidence interval = 0.695-0.999). The snake bite incidence decreased from 502 bites/100,000 population to 315 bites/100,000 population in the four villages (relative risk reduction = 0.373, 95% confidence interval = 0.245-0.48), but it remained constant in other villages. Simple educational messages and promotion of immediate and rapid transport of victims to a treatment center decreased the mortality rate and incidence of snake bite in southeastern Nepal. The impact of similar interventions should be assessed elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib K Sharma
- Department of Medicine, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
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Abstract
Research is discussed in the areas of venomous snake taxonomy, epidemiology, species diagnosis, defining the clinical phenotype of human envenoming, pathophysiological mechanisms of envenoming, clinical testing of antivenoms and prevention of snake-bite through community education. This work was carried out over the past 40 years in many countries in four tropical continents. The help and friendship of a large number of collaborators is gratefully acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Warrell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Rucavado A, Escalante T, Shannon JD, Ayala-Castro CN, Villalta M, Gutiérrez JM, Fox JW. Efficacy of IgG and F(ab')2 antivenoms to neutralize snake venom-induced local tissue damage as assessed by the proteomic analysis of wound exudate. J Proteome Res 2011; 11:292-305. [PMID: 22004524 DOI: 10.1021/pr200847q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic analysis of wound exudates represents a valuable tool to investigate tissue pathology and to assess the therapeutic success of various interventions. In this study, the ability of horse-derived IgG and F(ab')(2) antivenoms to neutralize local pathological effects induced by the venom of the snake Bothrops asper in mouse muscle was investigated by the proteomic analysis of exudates collected in the vicinity of affected tissue. In experiments involving the incubation of venom and antivenom prior to injection in mice, hemorrhagic activity was completely abolished and local muscle-damaging activity was significantly reduced by the antivenoms. In these conditions, the relative amounts of several intracellular and extracellular matrix proteins were reduced by the action of antivenoms, whereas the relative amounts of various plasma proteins were not modified. Because not all intracellular proteins were reduced, it is likely that there is a residual cytotoxicity not neutralized by antivenoms. In experiments designed to more closely reproduce the actual circumstances of envenoming, that is, when antivenom is administered after envenomation, the number of proteins whose amounts in exudates were reduced by antivenoms decreased, underscoring the difficulty in neutralizing local pathology due to the very rapid onset of venom-induced pathology. In these experiments, IgG antivenom was more efficient than F(ab')(2) antivenom when administered after envenomation, probably as a consequence of differences in their pharmacokinetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Rucavado
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Presynaptic action of Bothriopsis bilineata smargadina (forest viper) venom in vitro. Toxicon 2011; 58:140-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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