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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
05:27
Captive Maintenance and Venom Extraction of Tityus serrulatus (Brazilian Yellow Scorpion) for Antivenom Production
Published on: October 6, 2023
[Emergency immunotherapy: snake and scorpion antivenoms]
1Unité de recherche Santé de la mère et de l'enfant en milieu tropical, (IRD UR010), Université Paris Descartes, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris Cedex 06, France. jean-philippe.chippaux@ird.fr
Biologie Aujourd'Hui
|October 19, 2010
Summary
Passive immunotherapy, the sole etiological treatment for venomous snake and scorpion bites, requires improved accessibility. Enhancing antivenom production, distribution, and therapeutic protocols is crucial to restore confidence and reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Context:
- Passive immunotherapy is the only etiological treatment for snake and scorpion envenomations.
- Antivenom development has progressed from whole sera to purified antibodies, improving efficacy and tolerance.
- Antivenom accessibility is severely limited in regions like Africa due to cost, supply, and storage challenges.
Purpose:
- To review the historical development and current challenges of passive immunotherapy for envenomations.
- To highlight the need for improved antivenom production, accessibility, and therapeutic strategies.
- To emphasize the importance of a coordinated effort to restore confidence in antivenom treatment.
Summary:
- Passive immunotherapy involves administering antibodies from hyperimmunized animals to neutralize venom.
- Technological advancements have led to more effective and safer antivenoms through antibody purification and enzyme digestion.
- Intravascular administration is recommended for optimal diffusion and venom complexation.
- Declining antivenom sales in Africa are linked to high costs, supply chain issues, and inadequate storage, leading to reliance on traditional medicine.
Impact:
- Restoring confidence in immunotherapy can significantly reduce envenomation-related mortality.
- A multi-stakeholder approach involving producers, distributors, and health authorities is essential for improving antivenom accessibility.
- Epidemiological studies, cost-sharing, and optimized protocols for remote areas are key strategies for successful implementation.
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