New Snake Antivenom Serum Demonstrates Enhanced Efficacy

A research team in Brazil, affiliated with the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and the Butantan Institute, has unveiled a groundbreaking antivenom serum that is reported to be three times more effective than the conventional treatment currently utilized for snake envenomations, particularly those caused by the Bothrops genus, with the jararaca species being the most prevalent.

This significant advancement is detailed in a recent publication in the Journal of Proteome Research. The researchers employed a combination of traditional and innovative methodologies to optimize the serum's composition, enhancing the quantity of venom-neutralizing proteins while minimizing other components that may induce adverse reactions. The outcome is a serum that exhibits heightened effectiveness even in reduced volumes.

For over a century, snake antivenom has been produced by inoculating large animals, such as horses, with sublethal doses of snake venom. The animals' immune systems subsequently generate antibodies against the venom's toxins. After a period of antibody development, the enriched blood is harvested, processed, and purified to produce what is known as heterologous serum, the only scientifically validated treatment for snake bites.

However, research indicates that only a fraction of the components in standard antivenom serums--estimated between 10% and 40%--are actually antibodies that neutralize snake venom. The Brazilian study began by measuring the levels of these specific proteins in the existing antibothropic serum. Advanced techniques such as affinity chromatography, surface plasmon resonance, and mass spectrometry revealed that only 27.8% of the serum's components were effective in interacting with jararaca venom toxins. The remaining 72.2% comprised other antibodies, including horse albumin, which can provoke immune responses in humans.

To address these issues, the research team implemented a new purification process to enhance the traditional serum. This method effectively retained the antibodies that specifically bind to venom, resulting in an improved serum that contained 87% less horse albumin and reduced other proteins by 37% to 83%. Functional testing demonstrated that the new serum had a 2.9 times greater affinity for venom toxins and required a dosage 2.8 times lower than its predecessor to neutralize the same amount of venom.

These findings indicate that the enhanced serum not only possesses greater potency but also potentially lowers the risk of adverse reactions due to the reduced presence of horse proteins. The purification technologies applied are already established in the production of various biopharmaceuticals, although further clinical and regulatory evaluations are necessary before this new serum can be introduced as a commercial product.

Looking ahead, the research team is also exploring innovative treatment options for snake bites, such as monoclonal antibodies specifically targeted at the toxins. Similar technologies have successfully yielded monoclonal antibodies for diseases like COVID-19. Despite the promising advancements, the team acknowledges that the complex and costly nature of these innovations may mean that traditional heterologous serum will continue to be utilized for the foreseeable future.

Global estimates suggest more than 5 million cases of snakebite poisoning occur annually, resulting in over 100,000 fatalities and 400,000 severe disabilities. The majority of victims are young rural workers and children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized snake envenomation as one of the neglected tropical diseases, highlighting the urgent need for resources and research to tackle this significant public health issue.

For additional insights, please refer to the study: Enhancing the Bothropic Antivenom through a Reverse Antivenomics Approach, published in the Journal of Proteome Research.