Snake Bites

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Introduction
There are over 3,000 species of snakes on the Planet, but only
15% are considered to be dangerous
Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica
Every State except Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine are home to at
least 20 venomous snake species
Each year there are 45,000 incidents of snake bites in the U.S.
7,000 - 8,000 are from venomous snakes
On average 10 people die each year

The literary word for snake is serpant which comes from Old
French meaning to creep.
The snake is also used as the symbol for medicine because of
its relation to Asclepius, the Greek god of Medicine.

www.wikipedia.org/snakebites

Snake Venom

Snake Venom is a Toxin (Hemotoxin Neurotoxin, or Cytotoxin)

A varied form of saliva
It is excreted through a modified parotid salivary gland
Located on each side of the skull
Behind the eye

Snake venoms are a combination of proteins and enzymes

The flow of venom is produced through a pumping mechanism from an
alveolar sac that stores the venom, proceeds through a channel, down
a tubular fang which is hollow in the center to project the venom into
the air or its prey
Though the venom is dangerous, since it is not inhaled it cannot be
considered a Poison

www.wikipedia.org/snakevenom,
www.mun.ca

Benefits
Although snakes have been deemed as one of the worlds most
dangerous and disgusting critters on the planet, they actually
have some benefits:
Help control the smaller members of the animal kingdom from
becoming overpopulated
They save farmers a minimum of seventy-five dollars annually by
ridding their fields of destructive rodents
Snakes eat harmful rodents (mice, rats, etc.) and insects that may
carry harmful diseases
Snakes also possess an oil that can be harvested that is used to
remedy pain in joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The fats and
the oils extracted from the snakes have a high content of
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), hence it is thought to have
inflammation reduction properties.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CRO2
14503/benefits%200f%20snakes

Snake Video
Snake Bite Video

www.bangkokpost.com,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

Venom
Varies widely between species and even
within a species
Geographic location
ex. Mojave rattlesnake

Age of snake
Last feeding

http://www.reptileallsorts.com/bites-venom.htm

Venom

90% protein by dry weight and most of these are enzymes

25 different enzymes have been isolated from venoms and 10 of these occur
frequently in most venoms
Synergistic effects: different venoms contain different combinations of enzymes
causing a more potent effect than any of the individual effects (very similar to
drug synergism)
Generally speaking, venoms are either neurotoxic, hemotoxic or cytotoxic and
the enzymes in the venom are responsible for these effects

http://www.rattlesnakebite.org/rattlesnakepics.htm
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/bites-venom.htm

Mechanism of
Toxicity
The most common
types of enzymes are
proteolytic, phospholipases,
and hyaluronidases
Proteolytic Enzymes: digestive properties
Phospholipases: degrade lipids
Hyaluronidases: speed venom spread
through the body
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses03/PapersCostaRicaArticles/VenomousSnake
Goodness.AnA.html
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/bites-venom.htm

Mechanism of Toxicity

Collagenases
Phosphodiesterases
Acetylcholinesterase
Circulatory System
Effects

http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses03/PapersCostaRicaArticles/VenomousS
nakeGoodness.AnA.html

Mechanism of Action
Toxic effects are the most common focus
of snake venom but often the compounds
responsible for these effects can be
isolated and used for beneficial purposes
Can range from anti-venom production, to
multiple sclerosis treatment, and slowing
of cancer growth and metastasis rates

Mechanism of Action
A study done in 2006
isolated denmotoxin from
mangrove catsnake venom
Strong neurotoxic effects on
birds with little on mice
Able to research and isolate compounds to make
discoveries in anit-coagulant, antiplatelet, and
anti-hypertensive agents as well as antiangiogenic compounds for cancer treatment
http://www.news.vcu.edu/vcu_view/pages.aspx?nid=1732

Mechanism of Action
Another group of researchers isolated an
enzyme, called fibrolase, in rattlesnake
venom
Showing great promise in dissolving blood clots,
like those associated with heart attacks, strokes,
and deep-vein thrombosis
Clot-busting drugs on the market now dissolve the
blockages in two steps while the fibrolase directly
attacks the clots
http://www.usc.edu/hsc/info/pr/hmm/01summer/slimy.html
http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/rattlesnake.html

Mechanism of Action
Cancer Treatment
One study isolated a component in cobra
venom that inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis
Used in the treatment of breast cancer

Another study looked at a component of

venom called contortostatin
Inhibits cancer cells from moving through blood
vessel walls, leading to fewer metastases
http://www.pps.org.pk/PJP/3-1/07%20DMShaikh.pdf
http://www.usc.edu/hsc/info/pr/hmm/01summer/slimy.html

Body Clearance

The way in which the body clears or neutralizes venom is still not fully
understood
A recent study was done looking at the effects of antivenin (Fab/Fab2)
on the process of absorption and elimination in rabbits
They found the venom rapidly disappeared from the injection site, but
was slow to reach the vascular system, suggesting that its partially
absorbed in lymphatic circulation
Fab2 with antivenin elimination is slower than that of free venom with
antivenin
It suggests Fab2 is eliminated by phagocytosis

http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/285/2/490

Side Effects

Respitory paralysis
Fever
Rapid Pulse
Increased Thirst
Dizziness
Local Tissue Damage
Blurred vision
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Coma
Death

http://www.drugs.com/enc/snake-bite.html

www.funnyhub.com/.../img/snake
-bites-foot.jpg

Case Study # 1

41 year old male

Bitten on left third finger by Gaboon Viper
Necrosis and Blanching noticed upon arrival to ER
Numbness and edema were also present to hand
Prothrombin time was 15.53 (normal range 11.0-13.0)
International normal ratio 1.2
There was moderate leucocytosis and normal platelets
The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics, diphenhydramine,
hydrocortisone, and five 10ml vials of South African Institute of Medical
Research (SAIMR) antivenin.
Over next eight hours the patient developed lymphangitis of the left arm.
The patients lymphangitis later resolved but he later required amputation of his
left third finger.

. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia,

http://reptilis.net/serpentes/venom.html

USA

Case Study #2

24 year old male zoo employee

Bitten on hand while changing Gaboon Vipers water
Noticed local Pain and nausea upon arrival to emergency room
Finger was oozing blood from the site of the bite
He was unable to move digits 1 through 4.
Dorsal Compartment pressure of the hand was greater than 40mm Hg
Prothrombin time was 26.7 sec
INR was 2.67
The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics, diphenhydramine,
hydrocortisone, and twelve 10ml vials of South African Institute of Medical
Research (SAIMR) antivenin.
He also required local debridement and dorsal fasciotomy
Post-operatively his right hand compartment pressure and neurovascular status
normalized.
He underwent two subsequent debridements and was discharged with
outpatient physical therapy
http://reptilis.net/serpentes/venom.html

Summary

If people are going to keeps venomous snakes as pets a safety plan

should always be put in effect to minimize effects upon envenomation.
There are many benefits of snake venom including:

Blood clot thinner

Cancer Treatment
Eradicating pest
Remedy Joint pain such as Arthritis

Venom is 90% protein, there are 3 types of venomous snakes:

Neurotoxic
Hemotoxic
Cytotoxic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakes
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0214503/benefits%20of%20snakes%20page.html

Antivenin is made by injecting horses with toxins from venomous

snakes and then monitored to make sure they survive.
Then after the horse builds up an immunity the blood is extracted and
processed into antivenin

http://www.drugs.com/enc/snake-bite.html

The End

www.funnyhub.com/.../img/snake
-bites-face.jpg

References

Abraham, Sathya. "Toxic Snake Venom to Fight Human Disease."

http://www.news.vcu.edu/vcu_view/pages.aspx?nid=1732
Clinical Toxicology(2007) 45, 60-64
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, USA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakes_venom
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakes
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0214503/benefits%20of%20snakes%20page.html
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/285/2/490
http://reptilis.net/serpentes/venom.html
http://www.drugs.com/enc/snake-bite.html
http://www.venomdoc.com
Levy, Paul. "Venomous Snake Goodness: An Analysis of Snake Venom Toxicity."
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses03/PapersCostaRicaArticles/VenomousSnakeGoodn
ess.AnA.html
McDowall, Jennifer. "Snake Venom: Bungarotoxins." http://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/potm/2004_
6/Page1.htm
Nalik, Jon. "The Good, the Bad, and the Slimy."
http://www.usc.edu/hsc/info/pr/hmm/01summer/slimy.html
R. Zug and Carl H. Ernst and Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine and www.TheSnake.org;
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/bites-venom.htm
Shaikh, Din Muhammad and Rukhsana Jokhio. "The Potential of the Crude Snake Venom in Treatment of
Human Breast Cancer with and without Combination of Anticancer Drugs."
http://www.pps.org.pk/PJP/3-1/07%20DMShaikh.pdf