The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica): its biology, venom components and toxinology

The Gaboon viper has acquired an impressive reputation which is at least partly unfounded. This handsome animal with such striking features is undoubtedly docile which accounts for the very low incidence of bite amongst humans. There are only six detailed clinical reports on the effect of bite and these are summarized in the review. The viper does indeed produce prodigious amounts of venom, but the toxicity, weight for weight, is rather low compared to other poisonous snakes. Venom extractions have been carried out on four snakes over a 13-year-period and the effects of this venom have been studied in a variety of experimental animals. Systemic envenomation is characterized by immediate abrupt hypotension, subsequent cardiac damage and dyspnoea. The individual venom components responsible for these effects have not been isolated but it seems likely that the two enzymes which have been studied extensively (phospholipase A2 and the thrombin-like enzyme, gabonase) do not contribute significantly to lethality. We propose three principal activities which give rise to the major signs of systemic envenomation. Haemorrhagin; causing widespread damage to microvasculature which leads to the pulmonary oedema and hence dyspnoea, and locally causes blistering. Cardiotoxin; a long-acting material causing cardiac muscle damage, arrhythmia and ultimately cardiac failure. Peripheral vasodilator; a short acting effect, operating either locally via bradykinin formation and/or unknown peptides or centrally on the vasomotor centre.