ABSTRACT

Hypotension, hypovolemia, hemoconcentration, and shock are symptoms which often occur in viperid and crotalid snake bite. Whether this is due to the direct action of specific venom constituents or it is the result of autopharmacological reactions triggered by venom components, is not completely clear. Well-studied toxins such as the mast cell degranulating peptide from bee venom have attracted renewed attention, when specific affinity for nerve cell structures was discovered. Venom kallikreins are single-chain glycoproteins with varying carbohydrate contents. In experimental animals injection of venom kallikreins produce a dose-dependent transient decrease in arterial blood pressure. Proteins with cobra venom factor activity seem to be present in cobra venoms only, such as from Nqja nqja Naja kaouthia, Naja n. atra, Naja haje , and Naja nigricollis. A complement inhibitor has been isolated from Nega haje venom which inhibits the classical as well as the alternative pathway.