Trimeresurus albolabris snakebite treatment implications arising from ontogenetic venom comparisons of anticoagulant function, and antivenom efficacy.
Toxicol Lett
; 327: 2-8, 2020 Jul 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32199952
ABSTRACT
Does the venom of Trimeresurus albolabris (white-lipped pit viper) differ between neonate and adults? This species is responsible for most snakebites within south and southeast Asia, yet it is unknown whether ontogenetic variation in venom composition occurs in this species, or how this might affect antivenom efficacy. Using a coagulation analyser robot, we examined the anticoagulant activity of T. albolabris venom from eight individuals across multiple age classes. We then compared the efficacy of Thai Red Cross Green Pit Viper Antivenom across these age classes. Venoms from all age classes were equally potent in their pseudo-procoagulant, fibrinogenolytic activity, in that fibrinogen was cleaved to form weak, unstable fibrin clots that rapidly broke down, thus resulting in a net anticoagulant state. Similarly, this coagulotoxic activity was well neutralised by antivenom across all venoms. Given that coagulotoxicity is the primary serious pathology in T. albolabris envenomations, we conclude that Thai Red Cross Green Tree Pit Viper Antivenom is a valid treatment for envenomations by this species, regardless of age or sex of the offending snake. These results are relevant for clinical treatment of envenomations by T. albolabris.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Snake Bites
/
Blood Coagulation
/
Trimeresurus
/
Crotalid Venoms
Limits:
Animals
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Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Toxicol Lett
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia