Snakebite Research Paper

Snakebite is a fascinating, yet neglected public health problem resulting in life threatening medical emergencies (WHO, 2010; Kanchan et al., 2012; Kasturiratne et al., 2008). According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, around 35,000 - 50,000 people die due to snakebite each year in India. Worldwide about 6000 species of snakes observed out of which 600 are venomous. In India, 52 amongst the 216 species of snakes are venomous, of which Indian cobra (Naja naja naja), Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Doboia russelii russelii) and Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) are medically significant (R. Whitekar 2006; Brunda et al., 2006; WHO, 2010; WHO, 2005). Fatalities and severe disabilities due to snake bite can be

This complex nature of venom makes detection of specific snake venom more critical. Immunization with venom leads to the production of polyclonal ASVA having reactivity against most of the antigens injected, which exhibits cross-reactivity amongst the venom’s (Selvanayagam et al.,1999; J. F. Gao et al., 2013). When these antibodies used in the development of species diagnostic assays, it leads to ambiguity in interpretation of results. Hence, the necessity to eliminate the cross-reactive antibodies, which achieved by passing immunoaffinity-purified antibodies through venom bound affinity columns of cross-reacting venom,’s to get SSAb’s (Selvanayagam and Gopalakrishnakone, 1999; J. F. Gao et al., 2013; Ibrahim et al., 2013). Although, SSAb’s so obtained have already used in various ELISA based assays and it have a tremendous potential in the development of LFA for detection of snake

The addition of samples like blood, saliva, urine or any liquid on the sample pad gives results within a few minutes and interpretation of the result does not require any instrumentation in many designs (Wong and Tse, 2008). The results obtained are mainly qualitative, in a Yes/No type imparts an edge over ELISA without compromising sensitivity and specificity. LFA, which emerged as a test of field application, first used for early detection of pregnancy using human urine sample. Today the application of LFA has expanded beyond clinical diagnostics to different areas like veterinary, agriculture, environmental health and safety, industrial testing, molecular diagnostics, forensic science and food industry (Rong-Hwa et al., 2010; Sajid et al., 2014; Fang et al., 2011; Ju et al.,