|
1-3 of 3 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
How does antivenom work?(N.American pit viper enve
|
Reply
|
|
by Parcelmouth on May 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hello all,
I would like to know specifically how anti venom combats the various mechanisms of snake venom.To be more specific(since I live in south-eastern U.S.)How does Wyeth Crotalidae Polyvalent antivenin work to neautralize the effects of a North American pit viper envenomation.What are the specific actions of the antivenom itself.How does it inactivate the various components of the venom?The various proteolytic enzymes and polypeptides.Also how does it counter the procoagulant and anticoagulant properties of the venom? I would also like to know how the Cro Fab antivenom(for N.American pit vipers)works as well.Does it have the same actions or does it contain diffrent components that differ in the actions in countering the effects of the pit viper venom?Why is the risk of allergic reaction,anaphalaxsis and serum sickness greatly reduced with the Cro Fab anti venom?What makes Cro Fab superior,how, and why?......And as long as I am on that subject.Does anyone have any info on anti venom stocks this year?
Thanks for your replys,
J.S.
|
| |
|
RE: How does antivenom work?(N.American pit viper
|
Reply
|
|
by Snakeman1982 on May 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
One book that will have most of these answers and more is Medical Herpetology by Steve Grenard. It is an excellent medical book from a knowledgable and respected medical doctor/herpetologist that deals with the physiological aspects of injuries towards humans caused by reptiles and amphibians and injuries that we cause them. Over half of the book is on snakes so it was perfect for me. Good luck finding it though. It can be pretty hard to get and will most likely take a good long while to find. The only problem with the book is that its focus is for doctors and graduate level herpetologists to read so the medical terms will often blow you away unless you study physiology and medicine, which I don't. Some University animal physiology books will have a short section or two dedicated to the effects of venom on muscle, nerve, lymph tissues, etc... but although they are often very detailed it probably isn't worth the price you'll pay unless you are taking the class. They also don't usually discuss anti-venom issues.
Robert
snakeman1982.com
|
| |
|
RE: How does antivenom work?(N.American pit viper
|
Reply
|
|
by Chris_Harper on May 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
VERY basically, antivenom is composed of antibodies that are designed to specifically attach themselves to, and thereby mark for destruction, individual molecules of venom as they flow through your bloodstream. Once they are marked, your white blood cells will destroy them.
To get a good idea of how the whole immune system works, read the article on the homepage, "Anaphylaxis and the Venomous Keeper".
CH
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
