Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms

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  Image Credit: Creative Commons (some rights reserved) CC BY-NC Photo 111998430, (c) Nicholas Hess Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms Abstract Background/Objectives : Pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) are responsible for a large proportion of snakebite envenoming cases in Southeast Asia. Envenomation by these snakes commonly causes hematotoxic effects, including platelet dysfunction and coagulation disturbances. Although antivenom remains the mainstay of treatment, species-specific antivenoms are not available for several regional pit viper species. This study evaluated the hematotoxic activities of selected Southeast Asian pit viper venoms and the cross-neutralizing capacity of commercially available antivenoms.  Methods : Venoms from five medically important pit viper species— Calloselasma rhodostoma ,  Trimeresurus albolabris ,  T. hageni ,  T. purpureomaculatus , ...

Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies

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Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies


Abstract

Snakebite envenoming causes over 100,000 deaths annually, creating a need for more effective therapies. Traditionally, most preclinical testing relies on murine models with limited translational value. This review highlights the value of large animal models, particularly sheep and pigs, for studying venom toxicokinetics and antibody and small-molecule pharmacokinetics. Implementing clear guidelines and standardized endpoints in large-animal studies could help advance the clinical translation of new snakebite treatments.

Benard-Valle, M., Ahmadi, S., Modahl, C. M., Neri-Castro, E., Alagón, A., Boyer, L., Ljungars, A., & Laustsen, A. H. (2026). Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies. Npj Drug Discovery, 3(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44386-026-00043-8