antivenin
Quick Summary
Antivenin is a specific type of antitoxin used to neutralize snake venom. Antitoxins are antibodies produced by the body, or by animals like horses, in response to exposure to toxins or poisons. These antitoxins can then neutralize the harmful effects of the toxin.
Antitoxins are crucial for treating diseases such as diphtheria, botulism, and tetanus. When an animal is immunized with a toxin, its blood develops a high concentration of antitoxins, which can be prepared as an antiserum for medical use. If the toxin is venom, the resulting antiserum is called antivenin and is vital for treating snakebites. The effectiveness of antivenin depends on its specificity to the venom and its antibody content.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
cobraNeurotoxins affect breathing, and although antivenin is effective, it must be administered soon after the bite. Thousands of deaths occur each year in South and Southeast Asia.
Read MoreNeurotoxins affect breathing, and although antivenin is effective, it must be administered soon after the bite. Thousands of deaths occur each year in South and Southeast Asia.
Read More- snakebite
…treated with the use of antivenins. Prepared by the immunization of animals (especially horses) against the venoms, the effectiveness of the antivenin depends upon its specificity, its antibody content, and the degree of purification or concentration of the product. Although the use of a specific antivenin is preferable in the…
Read More…treated with the use of antivenins. Prepared by the immunization of animals (especially horses) against the venoms, the effectiveness of the antivenin depends upon its specificity, its antibody content, and the degree of purification or concentration of the product. Although the use of a specific antivenin is preferable in the…
Read More