Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application

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  Spider venom peptides Ht1a and Gg1a are toxic to honeybee parasite Varroa destructor by topical application Abstract Global food supply strongly depends on honeybee pollination services, which are threatened by insecticides and pests such as parasitic Varroa destructor mites. Chemical varroacides/acaricides are hampered by resistance development, necessitating the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives, with arthropod venom peptides being considered promising sources of acaricidal toxins. With only a few acaricidal venom peptides being reported, we performed a systematic topical screening of 50 arthropod venoms against V. destructor , with 78% of the venoms causing 100% mortality after 24 h. Deconvolution of the venoms from the Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes and the Giant Japanese funnel-web spider Gigathele gigas led to identification of the varroacidal peptides Ht1a and Gg1a. Topical application of Ht1a and Gg1a reduced varroa mite ...

Advancements in Antivenom Therapy: Historical Perspectives, Current Challenges, and Ongoing Clinical Trials

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Advancements in Antivenom Therapy: Historical Perspectives, Current Challenges, and Ongoing Clinical Trials

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation remains a severe global health burden, particularly in impoverished, rural, and tropical regions where healthcare resources are sparse. Despite over 125 years of progress in antivenom therapy, numerous obstacles persist related to efficacy, specificity, cost, and availability. Conventional antivenoms, although life-saving, are associated with significant drawbacks, including species specificity and adverse immunologic reactions. This review explores the historical milestones in antivenom development, discusses present therapeutic limitations, highlights novel innovations through biotechnological approaches, and presents a list of ongoing clinical trials that aim to revolutionize the field. It emphasizes the pressing need for improved therapeutics and the critical role of translational research in mitigating the global impact of snakebite envenomation. 

Citation: Luis A. Roque. Advancements in antivenom therapy: Historical perspectives, current challenges, and ongoing clinical trials. Innovative Medicines & Omics 2025, 2(3), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.36922/IMO025240026

Roque, L. A. (2025). Advancements in antivenom therapy: Historical perspectives, current challenges, and ongoing clinical trials. Innovative Medicines & Omics, 2(3), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.36922/IMO025240026

PDF: Advancements in antivenom therapy: Historical perspectives, current challenges, and ongoing clinical trials: https://api-journal.accscience.com/journal/article/preview?doi=10.36922/IMO025240026