Abstract
Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation has been recognized since antiquity. The syndrome, latrodectism, is characterized by painful muscle rigidity and autonomic disturbances such as tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis. Symptoms typically last for 1-3 days. Treatment has ranged from local folk remedies to administration of specific antivenom. Opioid analgesics combined with muscle relaxants, such as benzodiazepines, are only effective at symptomatic and temporary control. Antivenom is by far the most efficacious therapy available based on symptom resolution, need for subsequent therapy, and hospital admission rates. Fear of allergic type reactions from antivenom administration has limited its use in the United States. A new purified F(ab)2 fragment Latrodectus mactans antivenom, Analatro®, is currently undergoing clinical trials. The product is expected to have similar efficacy and be associated with fewer adverse reactions when compared to the currently available partially purified whole IgG Merck product. This shift in the risk-benefit analysis may ultimately lead to more antivenom administration in significantly envenomated patients.
Keywords: Analatro, antivenom, black widow spider, Fab2, Latrodectus mactans, latrodectism, spider treatment, syndrome, tachycardia, hypertension, Opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants, symptomatic, clinical trials, Arachnophobia.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title:Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) Antivenom in Clinical Practice
Volume: 13 Issue: 10
Author(s): Andrew A. Monte
Affiliation:
Keywords: Analatro, antivenom, black widow spider, Fab2, Latrodectus mactans, latrodectism, spider treatment, syndrome, tachycardia, hypertension, Opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants, symptomatic, clinical trials, Arachnophobia.
Abstract: Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation has been recognized since antiquity. The syndrome, latrodectism, is characterized by painful muscle rigidity and autonomic disturbances such as tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis. Symptoms typically last for 1-3 days. Treatment has ranged from local folk remedies to administration of specific antivenom. Opioid analgesics combined with muscle relaxants, such as benzodiazepines, are only effective at symptomatic and temporary control. Antivenom is by far the most efficacious therapy available based on symptom resolution, need for subsequent therapy, and hospital admission rates. Fear of allergic type reactions from antivenom administration has limited its use in the United States. A new purified F(ab)2 fragment Latrodectus mactans antivenom, Analatro®, is currently undergoing clinical trials. The product is expected to have similar efficacy and be associated with fewer adverse reactions when compared to the currently available partially purified whole IgG Merck product. This shift in the risk-benefit analysis may ultimately lead to more antivenom administration in significantly envenomated patients.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
A. Monte Andrew, Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) Antivenom in Clinical Practice, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2012; 13 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920112802273335
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920112802273335 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes and explores biological data. This field combines biology and information system. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has attracted great attention as it tries to replicate human intelligence. It has become common technology for analyzing and solving complex data and problems and encompasses sub-fields of machine ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Editorial (Thematic Issue: Enantioselective Synthesis in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Developments in Female Hormonal Contraception
Current Women`s Health Reviews Placental Drug Disposition and Its Clinical Implications
Current Drug Metabolism Cardiac Role of the Transcription Factor NF-κB
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Cardiovascular Involvement in Pediatric Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: The Emerging Role of Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Conference Proceedings: Second International Conference on Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Swansea, UK; September 12-13th, 2013
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Intrathecal Apelin-13 Produced Different Actions in Formalin Test and Tail-flick Test in Mice
Protein & Peptide Letters The Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Weighing Benefits and Risks
Current Alzheimer Research Non-uremic Calciphylaxis: A Rare and Late Adverse Reaction of Warfarin
Current Drug Safety Interleukin-1β Plays a Role in the Activation of Peripheral Leukocytes after Blood-Brain Barrier Rupture in the Course of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Current Neurovascular Research Protective Effects of Melatonin and Mitochondria-targeted Antioxidants Against Oxidative Stress: A Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Insights Into Effects of Ellagic Acid on the Nervous System: A Mini Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design Intracranial Non-traumatic Aneurysms in Children and Adolescents
Current Pediatric Reviews Pharmacotherapy of Obesity - Benefit, Bias and Hyperbole
Current Medicinal Chemistry Mitochondrial Targeting for Development of Novel Drug Strategies in Brain Injury
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Selective Inhibition of Phosphodiesterases 4A, B, C and D Isoforms in Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Current and Future Evidences
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diet and Metabolic Syndrome
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Cognitive Impairment and Diabetes
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Multi-Constituent Cardiovascular Pills (MCCP) - Challenges and Promises of Population-Based Prophylactic Drug Therapy for Prevention of Heart Attack
Current Pharmaceutical Design Emerging Pharmacological Treatments to Prevent Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth and Rupture
Current Pharmaceutical Design