Affiliations 

  • 1 Biochemistry Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar. Electronic address: khinthanyee@gmail.com
  • 2 Biochemistry Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar
  • 3 Nutrition Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar
  • 4 Research and Development Department, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
  • 5 Laboratory Animal Service Division, Department of Medical Research, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar
  • 6 Administrative Division, Department of Medical Research, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar
Toxicon, 2020 Apr 15;177:41-45.
PMID: 32056833 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.02.003

Abstract

Green pit viper (Trimeresurus sp.) bite occurred throughout Myanmar, but there is no specific antivenom produced in the country for related envenomation. Instead, Myanmar Russell's viper antivenom (Anti-MRV) was often misused because of prolonged clotting time was observed from both species. Thai green pit viper antivenom (Anti-TGPV) raised against Trimeresurus albolabris was found to be effective against venoms of more than ten Trimeresurus sp. from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The present study compared the neutralization capacities of Anti-TGPV and Anti-MRV towards the venom from T. erythrurus from Myanmar. Anti-TGPV was more efficacious than Anti-MRV in cross-neutralizing the lethal and haemorrhagic activities of the venom by a potency of a least 1.4 times higher. Although Anti-TGPV effectively cross-neutralized the coagulation activity of the venom, Anti-MRV failed to do so. Immunodiffusion and immunoblot experiments showed that Anti-TGPV cross-reacted with more protein components of the venom than Anti-MRV. In conclusion, Anti-TGPV is a better choice for patients bitten by Myanmar green pit viper, but further clinical investigation is required. The current findings highlight the development of a specific antivenom against Myanmar green pit viper venom.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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