Doctor developing universal snake bite cure

[ER12]

In a potential scientific breakthrough for the treatment of venomous snake bites, a German doctor has been given a grant to develop a universal antidote.

Martin Metz, specialist at Berlin's Charite hospital, has figured out a way of alleviating the effects of any venom using one drug.

Until now, bite victims have been treated with a species-specific anti-venoms which have to be kept cool and administered under the watchful eye of a doctor – as there is a risk of an allergic reaction. This means lots of people, particularly in developing countries, do not get help in time.

But Metz's early testing with a universal cure has proven promising, according to the BZ regional newspaper.

“I realized that the human enzyme protease disrupts proteins in all snake venom,” Metz told the paper. Taking mast cells from human enzymes almost completely cuts chance of allergic reaction.

Recreated in a laboratory, the enzyme could be carried about by people at risk and injected if necessary, he added. Unlike current anti-venom treatment, Metz's hopefully will not have to be kept cool. It could also prove effective against other animal bites and stings.

The World Health Organisation counts snake bites as one of the most often ignored tropical ailments, killing around 125,000 people each year. Thus, “the production of a universal anti-venom has enormous worldwide importance,” said a statement from Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (EKFS), which awarded Metz the €300,000 grant.
http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20121219-46869.html

[Mike41793]

I would *not* want to be one of the test subjects for that study lmao...

Very cool stuff though!

[carlson]

Wonder if that would prove better than an epi pen for anaplaix shock? I'm extremely allergic to wasps ha

[Mike41793]

Wonder if that would prove better than an epi pen for anaplaix shock? I'm extremely allergic to wasps ha

Its not the same. Wasp, bee, and insect venoms like that in general are more for defensive purposes. A wasp or fire ant doesn't use its venom to kill prey to eat. They sting or bite you to warn you that Wu Tang clan arent the only ones who you dont wanna mess with. Not like how snakes and spiders use their venom to kill something and eat it. Their venom has evolved from stomach acids as part of the digestive (or pre-digestive) process. Insect venom is just an acid or something i think, not really sure.

I dont get how the universal venom would treat for neurotoxic and hemotoxic venoms.