Abstract
The therapy of snakebite envenomation has been based on the parenteral administration of animal-derived antivenoms. Despite the success of this treatment at reducing the impact of snakebite mortality and morbidity, mostly due to their capacity to neutralize systemically- acting toxins, antivenoms are of relatively low efficacy in the prevention of venom-induced local tissue damage, which often leads to permanent disability. The issue of safety also remains a concern, particularly for some antivenoms which induce a relatively high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, there is a need to improve the therapy of snakebite envenomations on the following lines: (a) the technologies to produce antivenoms require improvements aimed at obtaining more refined preparations of higher efficacy and safety, while being affordable for the public health systems of developing countries. (b) The growing knowledge on the biochemistry and toxicology of snake venoms should pave the way for the identification of natural and synthetic inhibitors of venom toxins, particularly of those involved in local tissue pathology. Such inhibitors might become a highly effective therapeutic tool for the abrogation of venominduced local tissue damage. (c) A better knowledge of the inflammatory events secondary to venom actions may open the possibility of modulating such response, in order to prevent further tissue damage and to promote successful tissue repair and regeneration. A global partnership, involving many participants and combining scientific, technological and public health actions, is required to achieve a leap forward in the treatment of snakebite envenomations world-wide.
Keywords: Snake venom, antivenom, metalloproteinase inhibitors, phospholipase A2 inhibitors, necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Trends in Snakebite Envenomation Therapy: Scientific, Technological and Public Health Considerations
Volume: 13 Issue: 28
Author(s): Jose Maria Gutierrez, Bruno Lomonte, Guillermo Leon, Alexandra Rucavado, Fernando Chaves and Yamileth Angulo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Snake venom, antivenom, metalloproteinase inhibitors, phospholipase A2 inhibitors, necrosis, hemorrhage, inflammation
Abstract: The therapy of snakebite envenomation has been based on the parenteral administration of animal-derived antivenoms. Despite the success of this treatment at reducing the impact of snakebite mortality and morbidity, mostly due to their capacity to neutralize systemically- acting toxins, antivenoms are of relatively low efficacy in the prevention of venom-induced local tissue damage, which often leads to permanent disability. The issue of safety also remains a concern, particularly for some antivenoms which induce a relatively high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, there is a need to improve the therapy of snakebite envenomations on the following lines: (a) the technologies to produce antivenoms require improvements aimed at obtaining more refined preparations of higher efficacy and safety, while being affordable for the public health systems of developing countries. (b) The growing knowledge on the biochemistry and toxicology of snake venoms should pave the way for the identification of natural and synthetic inhibitors of venom toxins, particularly of those involved in local tissue pathology. Such inhibitors might become a highly effective therapeutic tool for the abrogation of venominduced local tissue damage. (c) A better knowledge of the inflammatory events secondary to venom actions may open the possibility of modulating such response, in order to prevent further tissue damage and to promote successful tissue repair and regeneration. A global partnership, involving many participants and combining scientific, technological and public health actions, is required to achieve a leap forward in the treatment of snakebite envenomations world-wide.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gutierrez Maria Jose, Lomonte Bruno, Leon Guillermo, Rucavado Alexandra, Chaves Fernando and Angulo Yamileth, Trends in Snakebite Envenomation Therapy: Scientific, Technological and Public Health Considerations, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782023784
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782023784 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Effects of ACE-Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Joshanda: A Traditional Herbal Approach for Treatment of Respiratory Catarrh
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews On the Origin of Cortical Dopamine: Is it a Co-Transmitter in Noradrenergic Neurons?
Current Neuropharmacology Pharmacologic Targeting of Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Influence of the Bystander Effect on HSV-tk / GCV Gene Therapy. A Review.
Current Gene Therapy Drug Therapy of Neuropathic Pain: Current Developments and Future Perspectives
Current Drug Targets Cardio-Vascular Risks Associated with Clozapine Treatment
Current Psychiatry Reviews Current Treatment Concepts of Philadelphia-Negative MPN
Current Cancer Drug Targets Cardioprotective Potential of Iron Chelators and Prochelators
Current Medicinal Chemistry Biologics and the Cardiovascular System: A Double-Edged Sword
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Use and Safety of Calcium Channel Blockers in Obstetrics
Current Medicinal Chemistry Rationale of Statin Therapy in Septic Patients
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cannabinoids, Immune System and Cytokine Network
Current Pharmaceutical Design Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Chronic Heart Failure: Clinical Implications and Molecular Mechanisms
Current Cardiology Reviews Management of Severe Abdominal Infections
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Design, Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties of Novel 3,3a,4,5,6,7- Hexahydroindazole and Arylthiazolylpyrazoline Derivatives
Medicinal Chemistry Peptidergic Regulation of Pheochromocytoma
Current Pharmacogenomics Zolpidem Arousing Effect in Persistent Vegetative State Patients: Autonomic, EEG and Behavioral Assessment
Current Pharmaceutical Design Hypertension in Pregnancy: Clinical Manifestations and Treatment
Current Hypertension Reviews Cellular Mechanisms in Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Current Pediatric Reviews