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Nanobody Antivenom Shows Promise Against Indian Cobra Venoms
Snakebites kill many people, especially in rural communities.
Current antivenom is made using horses and does not always work against every snake venom.
Scientists are testing tiny antibody-like medicines called nanobodies.
They combined five nanobodies to target toxins from several Indian cobra and king cobra species.
In tests with mice, the treatment worked when given with the venom.
It also worked when given 20 minutes after the venom, like treatment after a person reaches a clinic.
The mice avoided serious problems such as paralysis and trouble breathing.
However, the treatment did not work against Indian kraits and has not yet been tested in people.
Scientists must still determine its safety, dose and effectiveness before human use.
Researchers tested a five-nanobody cocktail against venoms from several Indian cobra and king cobra species.
All mice treated at the same time as venom exposure survived, while untreated mice died within 30 minutes.
The treatment also saved mice when administered intravenously 20 minutes after venom exposure.
The nanobodies prevented paralysis and breathing failure and remained stable at high temperatures.
The approach does not yet work against Indian kraits or vipers and requires further animal and human testing.
- Who
- Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and the Indian Institute of Science, including Andreas Hougaard Laustsen, Anne Ljungars and Kartik Sunagar.
- What
- They developed and tested a five-nanobody antivenom cocktail against several Indian cobra and king cobra venoms.
- Where
- The work involved laboratory testing of Indian snake venoms and experiments in mice.
- When
- The article does not specify when the experiments occurred; it notes that September 19 is International Snakebite Awareness Day.
- Why
- The researchers are seeking a more flexible, stable and potentially effective alternative to traditional horse-derived antivenom.
Key facts
- Global annual snakebite deaths
- An estimated 80,000 to 140,000 people.
- Annual deaths in India
- About 58,000 people.
- Nanobody cocktail
- A combination of five nanobodies.
- Animal model
- Mice.
- Delayed treatment test
- Treatment was administered through a vein 20 minutes after venom exposure.
- Observed result
- The treatment prevented paralysis and breathing failure in the tested mice.
- Current limitation
- The cocktail did not work against Indian kraits and is not a universal antivenom.
Sources
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