Short report: treatment of snake envenomations by a new polyvalent antivenom composed of highly purified F(ab)2: results of a clinical trial in northern Cameroon

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1999 Dec;61(6):1017-8. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.61.1017.

Abstract

A clinical trial was conducted in 2 health centers in northern Cameroon to assess the safety and efficacy of a new polyvalent antivenom composed of highly purified and pasteurized F(ab')2 (FAV-Africa). Forty-six patients with objective signs of envenomation, including 67% with hemorrhage, were included in the study. Each patient received at least 20 ml of FAV-Africa by direct, slow intravenous injection; 172 10-ml ampules were administered. All patients were clinically cured after treatment. Two patients (4.3%) showed minor immediate adverse events that may have been related to FAV-Africa (induration, light-headedness); no other treatment-related adverse event occurred. No patient had serum sickness. This trial confirms the safety of FAV-Africa administered by intravenous injection and its efficacy in the treatment of snake envenomations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antivenins / administration & dosage
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use*
  • Cameroon
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Snake Bites / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viper Venoms
  • Viperidae*

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Viper Venoms