The world of antivenoms: How they work and save lives

Antivenoms, also known as antidotes, are vital substances in modern medicine, capable of neutralizing the effects of toxins from the venoms of snakes, spiders, scorpions and other poisonous animals. These treatments have saved countless lives since their invention, but how they work remains a mystery to many.

What is antivenom?

An antivenom is a biological preparation that neutralizes the toxins present in the venom of certain animals. It is obtained by injecting a small amount of venom into a host animal, such as a horse or sheep, which stimulates its immune system to produce antibodies against the toxins. These antibodies are then collected, purified, and used to treat poisoned humans.

How does an antivenin work?

The mechanism of action of an antivenin is based on immunology. When a person is bitten or stung by a poisonous animal, the toxins in the venom spread rapidly throughout the body, damaging tissues and organs. Antivenins act as follows:

1. Toxin neutralization: The antibodies present in the antivenom bind to the venom molecules in the patient’s body. This binding neutralizes toxins, preventing them from interacting with the body’s cells and tissues, which stops progressive damage.
2. Disposal Facilitation: Once antibodies have bound to toxins, they form complexes that are more easily recognized and eliminated by the immune system and elimination organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
3. Prevention of complications: By neutralizing toxins, antivenom prevents serious and life-threatening complications, such as kidney failure, paralysis and respiratory failure, allowing the patient to recover.

Antivenom production process

The production of antivenoms is a complex process involving several steps:

1. Obtaining poison: The first step is to collect poison from poisonous animals. This process is carried out by experts to guarantee the safety and purity of the poison obtained.
2. Animal Immunization: The purified venom is injected in small doses into a host animal, usually horses or sheep. These doses are small enough not to harm the animal, but large enough to stimulate its immune system to produce antibodies.
3. blood collection: After a period of immunization, blood is drawn from the animal. This blood contains antibodies against the toxins in the venom.
4. Antibody purification: The collected blood is processed to separate the antibodies from the rest of the blood components. This process includes purification and concentration steps to ensure that the antivenom is effective and safe for humans.
5. Antivenin formulation: Purified antibodies are mixed with sterile solutions to create the final product, which is administered to patients through injections or intravenous infusions.

Importance and challenges of antivenoms

Antivenoms are essential for treating poisonings and saving lives, especially in regions where bites and stings from venomous animals are common. However, there are several problems associated with their production and distribution:

1. Cost and accessibility: Production of antivenoms is expensive and requires specialized infrastructure. In many affected regions, especially in developing countries, access to antivenoms may be limited due to high costs and lack of availability.
2. Allergic reactions:Although antivenoms save lives, they can cause allergic reactions in some patients. These reactions, known as serum sickness, are due to the introduction of foreign proteins into the body.
3. Venom specificity: Antivenoms are specific for certain types of venom. An antivenom effective against the bite of a particular snake may not be effective against the venom of another species. This requires the availability of multiple types of antivenoms in areas with diverse venomous fauna.

References

1. Gutiérrez, JM, & Lomonte, B. (2021). Antivenoms for snakebite envenomings: The road ahead. Toxins, 13(2), 117.
2. Williams, DJ, et al. (2019). Strategies for improving the affordability and availability of antivenom for treating snakebite envenoming. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(11), 743-751.
3. Harrison, RA, et al. (2020). Research strategies to improve snakebite treatment: Challenges and progress. Toxins, 12(6), 351.