[Emergency immunotherapy: snake and scorpion antivenoms].
Passive immunotherapy was discovered in 1894. It is the only etiological treatment of envenomations by snakes or scorpions. Immunotherapy is based on administration of antibodies produced by an animal hyperimmunised against venom. Improvement of whole antivenomous sera was obtained, first by separating the antibodies from other components of blood plasma, then by using enzyme digestion of immunoglobulins G and, finally, by purifying the final product. Efficacy and also tolerance were significantly increased. Antivenom administration should be performed through the intravascular route to ensure better diffusion and to facilitate the complexion with the venom. The sale of antivenoms, in particular in Africa, is considerably reduced since about thirty years and is not in adequacy with the epidemiologic needs. In addition to the high cost of the current products, the difficulties of supplying, storage and use seem at the origin of this rejection by both the health staff and the victims who resort massively to traditional medicine. Whereas WHO reminds the rules of production and use of the antivenoms to producers and authorities in charge of drug regulations, it appears that the accessibility of the antivenoms depends on a concerted effort from all the actors, coordinated by health authorities: producers, distributers, manufacturers and public. Beyond technological improvements necessary in antivenom production, the strategy to be implemented must include the strict evaluation of the needs based on epidemiologic studies, the share of cost recovery between all the actors, and the optimization of the therapeutic protocol to make it applicable in remote health centres. Once confidence towards immunotherapy will be restored, mortality will be significantly reduced.
Chippaux
Jean-Philippe
JP
Unité de recherche Santé de la mère et de l'enfant en milieu tropical, (IRD UR010), Université Paris Descartes, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris Cedex 06, France. jean-philippe.chippaux@ird.fr
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods; D012605:Scorpions / Q000276:immunology*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000276:immunology*; D012911:Snakes / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000997:Antivenins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic