Venoms coral snake

Clinically, mamba bites may not provoke a major local reaction. If neurotoxins are injected by the bite, clinical symptoms appear within minutes to hours. Clinical signs of impairment of neuromuscular transmission (ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, bulbar symptoms, or generalized weakness) dictate administration of antivenom (Ludolfph, 2000). For Elapidae (coral snakes) venom is known that is a potential neurotoxin and may cause paresthesias, weakness, cranial nerve dysfunction, confusion, fasciculations, and lethargy. Often mild local findings, diplopia, ptosis, and dysarthria are common early symptoms. Patients die because of respiratory paralysis. In these cases, early and aggressive... 

Envenomation from a coral snake exerts minimal local pain, and appears as rows of teeth marks. Victims may report that the snake was chewing on the bite site and had to be forcibly removed. Coral snake venom is composed of peptides and enzymes that have not all been identified, but which exert neurotoxicity rather than cytotoxicity. 

Cobra and coral snake venoms induce rapid depression, incoordination, tremors, paresis... 

The similarity of the primary structure of different sea snake venoms has already been discussed. Postsynaptic neurotoxins from Elapidae venom have been extensively studied. Elapidae include well-known snakes such as cobra, krait, mambas, coral snakes, and all Australian snakes. Like sea snake toxins, Elapidae toxins can also be grouped into short-chain (Type I) and long-chain (Type II) toxins. Moreover, two types of neurotoxins are also similar to cardiotoxins, especially in the positions of disulfide bonds. However, amino acid sequences between cardiotoxins and sea snake and Elapidae neurotoxins are quite different. In comparing the sequence of sea snake and Elapidae neurotoxins, there is a considerable conservation in amino acid sequence, but the difference is greater than among the various sea snake toxins. 

The second most common venomous snakes are the Elapidae, of which cobras and coral snakes are well known. These snakes deliver their venom from fixed fangs and must hold onto the victim while the venom is released. These snakes tend to... 

Neurotoxic venoms of cobras, mambas, and coral snakes Inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. - This hydrolase normally breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine within nerve synapses. 

Zagreb antivenin European viper venom antisera Polyvalent Crotalidae antivenin Micrurus fulvius antivenin Australian polyvalent antivenins Adder bites One or more species of viper Any one of four species of pit viper (including Western diamond back and South American rattlesnake Eastern coral snake Micrurus fulvius) Any one or combination of black snake, brown snake, death adder, taipan and tiger snake... 

Snake bite (coral snake) Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius), equine At least 3-5 vials (30-50 mL) IV initially within 4 hours after the bite. Additional doses may be required. Neutralizes venom of eastern coral snake and Texas coral snake. Serum sickness occurs in almost all patients who receive > 7 vials. 

Elapidae venom is composed of different components that vary among species. The venom of North American species contains fractions that are primarily neurotoxic. The venom results in a bulbar-type cranial nerve paralysis. In contrast to Crotalinae species, venom from North American elapids lacks most of the enzymes and spreading factors that cause local tissue destruction. Elapids from countries other than the United States can contain venom components different than that of North American coral snakes. 

Venomous snakes have developed various features that warn off would-be predators. The coral snakes have venom sufficiently powerful to harm a human being and are brightly colored with bands of black, yellow and red. Some harmless snakes have developed similar body markings which send the same messages to local predators and people alike. In southern North America and tropical South America there are many species of snake that mimic the genuinely dangerous coral snakes. 

N. Tan and P. Gnanajothy. The biological properties of venoms of some American coral snakes (genus Micrurus). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 707B 471 (1992). 

Passive transient protection for toxic effects of venoms of coral snake in U.S... 

I. Pharmacology. To produce the antivenom, horses are hyperimmunized with venom from Micrurus fuMus, the eastern coral snake. The lyophilized protein preparation from pooled equine sera contains antibodies to venom fractions as well as residual serum proteins. Administered intravenously, the antibodies distribute widely throughout the body where they bind the target venom. 

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