Diagnostic and Antivenom Immunotherapeutic Approaches in the Management of Snakebites

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming normally occurs as a result of the injection of venom following the bite of a venomous snake or the spraying of venom into a person’s eyes by snake species that are capable of spitting venom as a defense mechanism. According to World Health Organization, snakebite is considered to have high mortality among the neglected tropical diseases. The administration of toxin-specific therapy in snake envenoming is predicated on improving diagnostic techniques capable of detecting specific venom toxins. Various serological tests have been used in detecting snakebite envenoming. Comparatively, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been shown to offer a wider practical application. On the other hand, the unavailability of effective antivenoms to treat snake envenoming has created a critical health need at global level. It has been reported that antivenom immunotherapy is the treatment of choice for snakebites. The generation of toxin-specific antibodies would lead to an increase in the dose efficacy of antivenoms and consequently reduce the risk of early anaphylactoid and late serum reactions that typify the administration of large volumes of horse and sheep-derived antivenoms. The aim of this chapter is to explore and discuss diagnostic and antivenom immunotherapeutic approaches to the management of snakebite envenoming.