Characterization of a new polyvalent antivenom (Antivipmyn Africa) against African vipers and elapids.

abstract As a response to the antivenom shortage in Sub-Saharan Africa, evident for well overa decade, we developed a new polyvalent anti-ophidian antivenom (Antivipmyn Africa)designed for use in the region. We report a detailed characterization of its biochemicalcomposition (protein content and profiling by size-exclusion chromatography and elec-trophoresis) as well as the specific and para-specific neutralization potencies (as medianeffective dose in the mouse lethality test). Additionally, we studied the neutralization ofhemorrhagic, anti-hemostatic and necrotic activities of Echis ocellatus venom, responsiblefor a majority of severe envenomations in the continent according to existing epidemio-logical data. The antivenom is currently under production and has already been employedin the field in a pragmatic Phase III clinical trial in the Republic of Benin. It is a purifiedlyophilized polyvalent equine F(ab 0 ) 2 -based product obtained by immunization with thevenoms of eleven species of African snakes of the Genera Echis, Bitis, Naja and Dendroaspis.The criteria for its design are discussed, particularly in terms of the implementation ofrealistic public health policies targeting mostly rural populations in the continent. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.