Crotalus adamanteus venom (CAV) (CAV)

Crotalus adamanteus venom is a complex mixture of bioactive proteins and peptides produced by the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, primarily used for prey immobilization and digestion. The venom's composition is dominated by snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), and serine proteases, which collectively induce severe local and systemic pathologies (Margres et al., 2014). In humans, envenomation typically results in extensive tissue necrosis, pain, and swelling at the bite site, alongside systemic effects such as coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia (Calvete et al., 2009). The venom acts by degrading the basement membrane of blood vessels and interfering with the coagulation cascade, leading to internal hemorrhage. Therapeutic management relies on the administration of polyvalent antivenoms, which utilize purified antibodies to sequester and neutralize the circulating toxins. Beyond its clinical significance as a toxin, components of the venom are studied for their potential as pharmacological leads in treating cardiovascular and hematological diseases.

Other names

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake venomC. adamanteus venomEDB venom

Antivenoms consist of venom-specific antibodies or antibody fragments (Fab or F(ab')2) that bind to and sequester the various toxic components of the venom, neutralizing their enzymatic activity and preventing their interaction with physiological targets such as fibrinogen, platelets, and vascular endothelium (FDA, 2001; WHO, 2016).