An agonist of the CXCR4 receptor is therapeutic for the neuroparalysis induced by Bungarus snakes envenoming
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract
Snake envenoming is a neglected disease that, each year, causes>100000deathsintropicalandsub-tropical areas of the world and leaves>400 000 envenomed patients with permanent disabilities, with associated high social costs (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/snakebite-envenoming). This is a dis-ease of poverty believed by experts to be under reported.1Moreover, snake envenoming strikes particularly in lower income and rural parts of the world where advanced hospital care may not be rapidly available to the envenomed patient. A major number of neuropathological snakebites are produced by snakes of the Bungarus genus widely distributedinAsia.2Their venoms induce a descending flaccid paralysis with respiratory failure and autonomic dysfunctions. A large reduction of the function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) can be recorded electrophysiologically within few hours from snakebite,2and death may occur by respiratory failure. Mechanically ventilated patients survive because the Bungarus neurotoxins do not kill motor neurons but induce a rapid degeneration limited to the axon terminals which is followed by as low regeneration requiring prolonged hospitalization(3–5weeks) and eventual recovery.2,3However, hospitalization with mechanical ventilation poses major problems in low-income countries associated with high costs and risks of in-hospital complications.
Keywords
Snake envenoming, Europathological snakebites, Bungarus snakes, Venoms, Respiratory failure, Autonomic dys-functions
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
University of Padova
Publication Title
Clinical and Translational Medicine
Volume
12
Issue
1
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Publisher Location
THE ATRIUM, SOUTHERN GATE, CHICHESTER PO19 8SQ, W SUSSEX, ENGLAND