Recent developments in diagnostic tools and bioanalytical methods for analysis of snake venom: A critical review

Abstract

Snakebite is a neglected medical emergency causing fatalities and long-term disabilities throughout the world, especially in tropical countries. The effectiveness of therapy against snakebite is reliant on the unambiguous identification of bitten species of snake followed by immediate administration of venom-specific monovalent antivenom. However, this is a challenging task and therefore, over the several years scientists are constantly trying to address this issue by developing species-specific snake venom diagnostic kits as an alternative to classical methods of snake identification in clinics. Recently quite a few modern tools and techniques have been deployed for the development of simple, inexpensive, rapid, specific, and sensitive snake venom detection kits. However, despite these efforts a lone snakebite diagnostic kit is available until now which is a severe concern for efficacious snakebite therapy. In this article, we have reviewed the key issues pertaining to the rapid diagnosis of snake envenomation, tools and techniques developed and/or invented particularly over the past 40 years for the detection of snakebite as well as quantity of venom in the body fluids and/or tissues of victims. To overcome the practical constraints against the successful commercialization of these diagnostic kits, much more intensive studies for their improvement in terms of efficacy, affordability, storage stability, and usability, in addition to standardization of techniques for use in clinics are required to fulfil the objectives of the user-friendliness and commercial viability of snakebite diagnostic kits particularly in the rural and underdeveloped areas of tropical countries showing the maximum incidence of snakebite.

Keywords: Diagnosis of snakebite; Snake envenomation; Snake venom detection; Venom-antivenom cross-reactivity.