Antivenoms: Life-saving drugs for envenomings by animal bites and stings

Abstract

Envenomings from animal bites and stings affect millions annually, with snakebites alone causing 1.8 to 2.7 million cases and 81,000 to 138,000 deaths globally. Survivors often face permanent physical and psychological aftereffects. Historically minimal attention from health authorities is changing due to a concerted international effort led by numerous organizations, raising awareness and prompting the WHO to classify snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease in 2017. This led to a resolution for member states to address the issue, with plans for a strategic road map by the WHO.Addressing snakebite envenoming requires multifaceted interventions, including scientific research, development of new antivenoms, public health system strengthening, and community engagement. Antivenoms, the only effective treatment, face quality and accessibility challenges, exacerbated by regulatory deficiencies and economic issues leading to low production profitability. New recombinant antibody technologies are emerging, yet significant gaps remain in effective antivenom production and standardization.This special issue of Toxicon discusses advancements and challenges in the antivenom field, covering historical developments, production technologies, and economic analyses. It aims to foster understanding of antivenom complexities to enhance the quality and accessibility of these critical medical interventions, ultimately reducing the human suffering associated with envenomings.