- Antivenom is composed of antibodies used to treat venomous bites and stings. It was first developed in the late 19th century and came into common use in the 1950s. - The first snake antivenom was created in 1895 by French scientist Albert Calmette. It was developed to treat cobra bites. - Antivenom works by binding to and neutralizing venom proteins, preventing them from causing harm. It is most commonly administered via intravenous injection or infusion. Potential side effects include allergic reactions.

1. z
ANTIVENOM
RAHUL

2. z
TERMINOLOGY
 The name "antivenin" comes from the French word venin,
meaning venom, which in turn was derived from Latin venenum,
meaning poison.
 Historically, the term antivenin was predominant around the
world, its first published use being in 1895. In 1981, the World
Health Organization decided that the preferred terminology in
the English language would be venom and antivenom rather
than venin and antivenin or venen and antivenene.

3. z
INTRODUCTION
 Antivenom, is a specific treatment for envenomation. It is
composed of antibodies and used to treat certain venomous
bites and stings
 Antivenom was first developed in the late 19th century and came
into common use in the 1950
 Versions are available for spider bites, snake bites, fish stings,
and scorpion stings.
 Most widely produced Antivenom is Snake Antivenom.

4. z
 French scientist and physician Albert
Calmette is credited with creating the first snake
antivenom
 Calmette successfully developed the first
anti–cobra serum in 1895

5. z
 In India snakebites kill 45,000 people everyyear
 The dangerous big fours of India are :-
 Indian cobra (naja naja)
 Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
 Russells viper (Dabio russelii)
 Saw – scaled viper (Eichis)

6. z
Local symptoms and signs in the bitten part:
 fang marks
 local pain
 local bleeding
 bruising
 lymphangitis (raised red lines tracking up the bitten limb)
 lymph node enlargement
 inflammation (swelling, redness,heat)
 blistering
 local infection, abscess formation
 necrosis

7. z
FIRST AID
 Try to keep the victim still and calm, as any type of movement
will cause the venom to spread more quickly throughout the
body.
 Clean the wound and cover it with a sterile dressing.
 Remove any tight clothing or jewelry which can restrict
circulation
 Transport or carry the victim to the hospital via vehicle. Patient
should not be allowed to walk.

8. z
NOT TO DO
 Cutting into the snake bite.
 Using a cold compresses in the bite region.
 Avoid giving medications on your own.
 Never raise the bite region above the victim’s heart. Keep it
below the level of the heart.
 Never try to suck the venom out by your mouth.
 Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine.
 Avoid using a pump suction device.

9. z
CLASSIFICATION
 Snake antivenom can be classified by which antigens (venoms)
were used in the production process.
 Monovalent antivenom - If the hyper immunizing venom is
obtained from a single species, then it is considered a
monovalent antivenom
 Polyvalent antivenom - If the antivenom contains
neutralizing antibodies raised against two or more species of
snakes, then the composition is considered polyvalen

10. z
HOW ANTIVENOM IS PRODUCED
 Small doses of venom or venom components are injected into the
animal, and the dose gradually increased as the animal builds up a
tolerance to the venom. In response to the introduction of the
venom (a foreign substance), the animal produces antibodies to the
venom. When the doses being injected are large, the amount of
antibody produced is large.
 These antibodies are harvested by taking blood from the animals and
separating out the antibodies, which are then fragmented and purified by
a series of digestion and processing steps.
 When injected into a patient, the binding sites on the antibody
fragments bind to the venoms or venom components in the
circulation and neutralize the activity of the venoms in the patient.
Antivenoms have been made since the 1890s.

11. z
METHOD OF PREPARATION
 Most antivenoms are prepared by freeze drying (synonym,
cryodesiccation, lyophilization). The process involves freezing the
antisera, followed by application of high vacuum.
 This causes frozen water to sublimate. Sera is reduced to powder
with no water content.
 In such an environment, microorganisms and enzymes cannot
degrade the antivenom, and it can be stored for up to 5 years [at
normal temperatures].
 Liquid antivenoms may also be stored for 5 years, but they must
be stored at low temperatures

12. z
MECHANISM
 Antivenoms act by binding to and neutralizing venoms. The
principle of antivenom is based on that of vaccines, however,
instead of inducing immunity in the person directly, it is induced
in a host animal and the hyperimmunized serum is transfused
into the person.
 The host animals may include horses, donkeys, goats, sheep,
rabbits, chickens, llamas, and camels

13. z
ADMINISTRATION
 Two methods of administration are recommended:
(1) Intravenous "push" injection: Reconstituted freeze-dried antivenom: or neat
liquid antivenom is given by slow intravenous injection (not more than 2
ml/minute). This method has the advantage that the doctor, nurse or dispenser
administering the antivenom must remain with the patient during the time when
some early reactions may develop. It is also economical, saving the use of
intravenous fluids, giving sets, cannulae etc.
(2) Intravenous infusion: Reconstituted freeze-dried or neat liquid: antivenom is
diluted in approximately 5-10 ml of isotonic fluid per kg body weight (i.e. 250-
500 ml of isotonic saline or 5% dextrose in the case of an adult patient) and is
infused at a . constant rate over a period of about one hour.

14. z
SIDE EFFECTS
 Some individuals may react to the antivenom with an immediate
hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis) or a delayed
hypersensitivity (serum sickness) reaction.

15. z
THANK YOU