snake venom antibody-2 (ViperaTAb)

Fatal snakebite-induced thrombotic microangiopathy with incidental rheumatic heart disease: an autopsy case report.

Deshmukh Vinayak V, N J Mohammed Akbar MA, Chopra Shikha S, Nalwa Aasma A et al.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an uncommon but serious complication of hemotoxic snakebite envenomation, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions. TMA is characterized by microvascular thrombosis and hemolytic injury, which may lead to multiorgan dysfunction. We report the case of a 31-year-old male factory worker with an alleged viper bite to the right great toe. Despite administration of multiple doses of anti-snake venom and intensive supportive care, his condition progressively deteriorated, and he succumbed. Medicolegal autopsy revealed a hemorrhagic lesion at the bite site, diffuse subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, and petechial hemorrhages over the heart. Toxicological analysis of preserved skin tissue from the bite site confirmed the presence of hematotoxic venom. Histopathological examination of the kidneys showed renal cortical necrosis with thrombosis of the afferent arterioles and glomerular capillary loops, along with red blood cell extravasation, consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to envenomation. An incidental finding of fibrotic thickening of the mitral and aortic valves with myxoid degeneration and the presence of Anitschkow cells was consistent with rheumatic valvular disease. This case highlights the importance of autopsy, toxicological confirmation, and histopathological examination in establishing a diagnosis of venom-induced thrombotic microangiopathy and identifying occult cardiac pathology with potential medicolegal relevance.

Eclipta prostrata extract and Wedelolactone antagonize Apis mellifera Venom Activities.

Nogueira-Souza Pâmella Dourila PD, Rocha-Junior José Roberto da Silva JRDS, Romanelli Mayara A MA, Monteiro-Machado Marcos M et al.

Africanized bees are a hybrid species that respond to threatening stimuli, leading to mass attack accidents. Bee envenoming can trigger various clinical conditions due to the complex composition of bee venom. The Eclipta prostrata (EP) plant, commonly used in folk medicine, contains several bioactive compounds, including wedelolactone (WEL), which has biological properties. This study aims to evaluate the effects of EP extract and WEL on different bee venom activities. Bee venom enzymatic and hemolytic activities were inhibited by EP extract and partially reduced by WEL at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 150 μM, depending on the experiment. Anti-myotoxic in vitro effects were evaluated in isolated the extensor digitorum longus muscle of mice. Both antagonists (EP 1, 3 and 10 μg/mL and WEL 1, 3, and 10 μM) showed concentration-dependent anti-myotoxic effects in vitro, reducing venom-induced CK release rate from 13.29 ± 0.85 to 3.11 ± 0.64 U/g/h (EP 10 μg/mL) and from 11.77 ± 1.42 to 1.18 ± 0.34 U/g/h (WEL 10 μM), after 90 minutes of perfusion. In the in vivo assays, EP extract (50 mg/kg) reduced the effects of bee venom (1mg/kg) only in the preincubation protocol, attenuating myotoxicity and local inflammatory responses, as assessed by plasma CK and myeloperoxidase activities, respectively. Furthermore, WEL showed an antagonistic effect only on the local inflammatory response in the pretreatment protocol, reducing the venom effect by approximately 40%. In this condition, WEL (30 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes prior to venom (1 mg/kg) injection. There was no change in hemoconcentration or lethality induced by bee venom in either preincubation (EP 50 mg/kg; WEL 30 mg/kg) or pretreatment (EP 250+250 mg/kg; WEL 30 mg/kg) protocols. Finally, the EP extract and its isolated substance, WEL, reduced toxic activities in vitro. Further in vivo studies are required to understand the effects of the antagonists.

Risk of Systemic Reactions After Repeated Large Local Reactions in Hymenoptera Venom Allergy: A Real-World Study.

Martini Matteo M, Apricena Antonietta A, Buti Elena E, Bignardi Donatella D et al.

Financial incentives and social messaging for repeat SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among the underserved: A randomized trial.

Doctor Jason N JN, Knight Tara K TK, Stewart Emily P EP, Kadono Mika M et al.

Financial incentives may influence health behavior beyond their expected monetary value, and their effectiveness may depend on how the behavior is framed. Behavioral theories of decision making suggest that individuals may value protection against small-stakes losses more than expected utility predicts, while theories of family-centered health behavior suggest that messages emphasizing benefits to family members may strengthen participation in preventive health activities. We tested these ideas in a 2×2 factorial randomized trial involving 625 households recruited from a Federally Qualified Health Center serving low-income Latino/Hispanic communities. Participants completed repeat SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. The trial crossed two messaging strategies (Family vs. Personal) with two incentive structures (Loss Protection vs. Lottery) that offered equivalent expected monetary value. Family Messaging emphasized protecting one's family from COVID-19, whereas Personal Messaging emphasized protecting oneself. Loss Protection allowed participants to secure an at-risk reward through repeat testing, whereas the Lottery condition offered a chance of a large reward. Repeat testing was approximately 8 percentage points higher under Family Messaging and 7 percentage points higher under Loss Protection. Baseline trust in medical providers, financial barriers to vaccination, and risk aversion were associated with initial testing, whereas household characteristics were not associated with repeat testing. Incentive design may matter beyond expected monetary value and that framing health behaviors in terms of family welfare may increase participation in repeated healthy activities. Broadly, the results support behavioral theories emphasizing loss aversion, anticipated regret, and family-centered motivations, and suggest practical approaches for improving engagement in repeat health behaviors. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER:: NCT01901624.