Production and Utilization of Snake Antivenoms in South America

Abstract

Venomous snakebites represent an important public health issue in many parts of the world, including South America, causing high morbidity and mortality. In this continent, antivenoms are currently manufactured in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, and by more than one laboratory in some of these countries. Eight of them are public laboratories (three in Brazil) that produce specific mono- and polyvalent antivenoms, derived from the antibodies produced mostly by horses immunized with either one or a pool of venoms from snakes, spiders, scorpions, and caterpillars of medical importance. F(ab’)2 fragments or whole IgG are purified from plasmas of immunized horses. Studies on the cross-neutralization between antivenoms and venoms from different species countries, as well as clinical trials confirming the efficacy and safety of antivenoms may improve the antivenom availability at a regional level.