Taxonomic notes on the snakes of Northern Cyprus, with observations on their morphologies and ecologies

Göçmen, Bayram; Atatür, Mehmet K.; Budak, Abidin; Bahar, Hasan; Yıldız, Mehmet Zülfü; Keskin, Nurşen Alpagut

doi:10.1163/157075609x417062

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…Currently, snakebites, particularly involving Macrovipera lebetina lebetina, comprise an important medical emergency in Cyprus and other areas (9,(25)(26)(27). Viper snake venom is highly toxic to humans and vipers are considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world (28)(29)(30)(31)(32).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of venom from the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina and antivenom production

Nalbantsoy¹,

Karabay-Yavasoglu²,

Sayim³

et al. 2012

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Abstract:The venomous Levantine viper, Macrovipera lebetina lebetina is endemic to Cyprus. The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo lethality, and antivenom production followed by a re-immunization schedule in mice against Macrovipera lebetina lebetina venom. The LD 50 value was estimated as 7.58mg/kg within 24 hours by different venom doses administrated intraperitoneally in mice. Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvants were used for first and second immunization of mice in antivenom production. A cell-based assay was performed to determine the effects of Macrovipera lebetina lebetina venom and antivenom neutralizing potency on L929 cell viability. The snake venom toxicity and cytotoxicity were examined and comparison of results showed good correlation, the LD 50 value was tenfold higher than the IC 50 value. The IC 50 value was 0.62 ± 0.18 µg/mL after 48 hours treatment while the calculated value was 1.62 ± 0.25 µg/mL for the culture media totally refreshed after two hours treatment with venom. The in vitro efficacy of antivenom against Macrovipera lebetina lebetina venom was found to be low. This is the first report that describes the in vivo and in vitro toxic effects of Macrovipera lebetina lebetina venom and antivenom production against this species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of venom from the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina and antivenom production

Nalbantsoy¹,

Karabay-Yavasoglu²,

Sayim³

et al. 2012

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Effects of extreme variation in female morph frequencies on the mating behaviour of male damselflies

Ting

Bots

Jvostov

et al. 2009

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Hospital admissions due to snake envenomation in the Republic of Cyprus: a 7-year retrospective review

Jestrzemski

Athanasiadou

Scoutellas

et al. 2022

J Occup Med Toxicol

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Background Snake envenomation is a major neglected tropical disease, lacking data in many countries including Cyprus, a Mediterranean island inhabited by the medically important blunt-nosed viper (Macrovipera lebetina). Reviewing the 2013–2019 period, we present first-time epidemiological snakebite data in the Republic of Cyprus. Methods We obtained data on snake envenomation-related hospital admissions from the Ministry of Health, and population and rainfall data from the Statistical Service of Cyprus and Department of Meteorology websites. Human-viper conflict information was acquired from interviews with 12 representatives of Cypriot institutions. Results Between 2013 and 2019, 288 snake envenomation cases were admitted to public hospitals, averaging 41 people annually. The minimum was 29 cases (2017) and the maximum was 58 (2015). Snake envenomation incidence increased from 4.55 per 100,000 population (2013) to 6.84 (2015), but remained low since 2017 (3.49 in 2019). Between 2000 and 2018, the deaths of one man (73 years), and indirectly, one woman (77 years), were related to snake envenomation. While 266 cases (92%) happened between April and October (the blunt-nosed viper activity period), most envenomations occurred in September (cumulative for 2013–2019), with 88 cases (31%). Snakebite incidence peaked in the 60–69 years age group (9.19 per 100,000 population), and was higher in males (6.85) than in females (2.82). Of all admitted patients, 242 (84%) were discharged within 4 days. Mean hospital stay duration was 2.65 days, with one case of 13 days. Most patients were admitted to the general hospitals in Paphos (51%), Limassol (30%) and Nicosia (11%), which provide secondary healthcare, with the last one providing tertiary healthcare. Conclusions Snakebite-related deaths are very rare in the Republic of Cyprus. Most envenomation cases happened in late summer (September). Short hospital stays indicate mostly non-severe clinical courses. The hospital admission data suggest that snake envenomation risk is highest in Paphos district. The statistical data hint at males and middle- to older-aged people being at highest risk, whereas from our interview data we assume that outdoor workers are at higher risk than other occupational groups.

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Taxonomic notes on the snakes of Northern Cyprus, with observations on their morphologies and ecologies

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of venom from the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina and antivenom production

Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of venom from the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina and antivenom production

Effects of extreme variation in female morph frequencies on the mating behaviour of male damselflies

Hospital admissions due to snake envenomation in the Republic of Cyprus: a 7-year retrospective review

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