title: A new Pan African polyspecific antivenom developed in response to the antivenom crisis in Africa.
abstract: Currently there is a crisis in the supply of antivenom for treatment of snake bite in sub-Saharan Africa. Commercial pressures have resulted in the reduction or even cessation of production of antivenom by European manufacturers while continued production of antivenom in Africa has been threatened by the privatisation of the only remaining company based in Africa. As a consequence, there has been an increase in snake bite morbidity and mortality in many African countries. Two Latin American antivenom manufacturers have agreed to produce antivenom suitable for Africa, using venoms from the species which are of the greatest medical importance in sub-Saharan Africa. Preclinical in vivo assays of neutralising potency demonstrated that a new Pan African antivenom produced in Colombia compared favourably with the existing commercial monospecific and polyspecific antivenoms. This new antivenom, and a similar product being manufactured in Costa Rica, are now candidates for clinical testing at an appropriate site in Africa.
authors.affiliation: Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Renjifo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasidi
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Warrell
authors.forename: R D G
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Theakston
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006736:Horses / Q000276:immunology; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000628:therapy; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D012910:Snake Venoms