[Neurotoxins from snake venom]

Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2008 Apr;27(4):310-6. doi: 10.1016/j.annfar.2008.02.010. Epub 2008 Apr 11.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Many snakes are able to quickly immobilize prey, thanks to their venom neurotoxins. Most of these snakes belong to families Elapidae or Hydrophidae but neurotoxins were also isolated from families Viperidae and Colubridae. Ophidian neurotoxins can be classified into several categories: neurotoxins which inhibit synaptic transmission (postsynaptic and presynaptic neurotoxins) and neurotoxins which facilitate it excessively (dendrotoxin and fasciculin). Their toxicity is dose-dependent, and venom effects are extremely fast. The clinical feature is a potentially fatal neurological syndrome, the so called cobraic syndrome. Because death by respiratory arrest may occur quickly with cobraic syndrome, immunotherapy is a true emergency, because toxins irreversible fixing makes immunotherapy effect uncertain after a few hours passed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neurotoxins*
  • Snake Venoms* / classification

Substances

  • Neurotoxins
  • Snake Venoms