Multiple snake venom toxins from Pan-African elapid and viperid species

Multiple snake venom toxins from Pan-African elapid and viperid species refer to the diverse array of toxic proteins and peptides produced by medically significant snakes across Africa, including cobras (Naja), mambas (Dendroaspis), puff adders (Bitis), and saw-scaled vipers (Echis) (WHO, 2023; Chippaux, 2011). These toxins are categorized into several major families, most notably three-finger toxins (3FTxs), phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), and snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs) (UniProt, 2024; Tasoulis & Isbister, 2017). Elapid venoms are predominantly neurotoxic, often targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to cause respiratory failure, while viperid venoms are typically hemotoxic and cytotoxic, leading to severe hemorrhage, coagulopathy, and local tissue destruction (Gutierrez et al., 2017). The primary therapeutic approach is the administration of polyvalent antivenoms, such as SAIMR Polyvalent or Inoserp Pan-Africa, which consist of purified antibodies that bind to and neutralize these diverse toxins (Inosan Biopharma, 2024; South African Vaccine Producers, 2024). Developing broad-spectrum treatments is a major challenge due to the high intra- and inter-species variability in venom composition across different geographic regions (Williams et al., 2011; Casewell et al., 2013).

Other names

Pan-African snake venom toxinsAfrican elapid and viperid venom proteinsAfrican snake toxinsPan-African polyvalent antivenom targets

Neutralization of toxic enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins through antibody-mediated binding (IgG, F(ab')2, or Fab fragments), which prevents the toxins from interacting with their physiological targets such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, coagulation factors, and cell membranes.