Geographical variation of Indian Russell’s viper venom and neutralization of its coagulopathy by polyvalent antivenom

The timing is right to end snakebite deaths in South Asia

“… 46 Recent studies also reveal significant intra-species variations in the venoms of the big four based on location. 47 48 49 50 51 Since all major Indian antivenom manufacturers source snake venom from the Irrula cooperative in south India, the available products vary in their neutralisation efficacy and clinical effectiveness against the big four venoms from other parts of South Asia. 14 43 47 50 A double blind clinical trial comparing Pakistani and Indian antivenoms in 70 snakebite victims in Pakistan with deranged clotting tests and local swelling revealed quicker restoration of coagulopathy at lower doses with the Pakistani antivenom, suggesting greater specificity against indigenous snake species.…”

Venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the Chinese eastern Russell’s viper, Daboia siamensis from Guangxi and Taiwan

“…This was likely to be at a time of mainland range expansion that enabled rapid overland colonization of the snake into the Taiwan once physically joined to the mainland of China over the Pleistocene 43 . Nonetheless, the clinical manifestations of snakebite envenoming often show marked geographical variations that are broadly unrelated to the phylogeny, and this phenomenon has been elucidated by venom proteomic and transcriptomic studies of a number of snake species 6 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 44 . Hence, the observed incongruence between the envenoming effects and the primary phylogenetic division of the Russell’s viper complex does not allow the prediction of Russell’s viper envenoming effects and antivenom responses in areas where these have not been studied directly 2 , 10 , 12 , 14 .…”

“…Indeed, the pathogenesis of snakebite envenomation correlates with venom composition, and it is well established that even within the same species of D . russelii , the venom composition can vary across different locales 10 – 13 . With the recent advent of proteomic technologies, the compositions of D .…”

Purification and partial characterization of an anticoagulant PLA2 from the venom of Indian Daboia russelii that induces inflammation through upregulation of proinflammatory mediators

“…Phospholipase A 2 enzymes form the major constituents of Russell's viper venom that displays considerable variations among the geographically separated populations . The variation in PLA 2 enzymes in D. russelii venom has been reported from different regions of India .…”