A recent study from the University of Queensland is raising concerns about the effectiveness of antivenom used too treat bites from Eastern Brown Snakes (Pseudonaja textilis). The findings have prompted a review of hospital records to assess treatment outcomes [[2]].

The research, led by Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the habitat, examined the blood-clotting toxins present in the venom of all Australian brown snake species.The study revealed important differences in venom composition between snakes from different regions [[2]].

Venom variability adn Antivenom Efficacy

“We discovered not all brown-snake venoms are the same – meaning that lifesaving antivenom may need an urgent upgrade,” said professor fry.he explained that some venoms create strong, stable blood clots, while others produce rapid but fragile clots that break down quickly. “Both venoms can kill but they do it in wholly different ways,” he added [[2]].

Using thromboelastography to assess blood coagulation, the team found that Eastern brown Snakes from southern Australia possess a ‘taipan-like’ venom that induces strong, stable blood clots. In contrast, venom from northern populations and other brown snake species triggered the formation of fragile blood clots at a rapid pace [[2]].

“Our data shows the effect on blood of an Eastern Brown Snake bite in northern areas and a bite in southern Australia are chalk and cheese,”

professor Fry noted that the current Australian brown snake antivenom is produced using a venom pool of unspecified geographic origin. He suggests that if the antivenom lacks both northern and southern Eastern Brown Snake venom components, its effectiveness could be inconsistent [[2]].

Hospital Record Review and Future Research

The researchers plan to analyze hundreds of hospital charts, recoding reported bites by geography to identify potential differences in clotting patterns between the strong and weak clotting types of brown snakes. “Our next step is to go back through hundreds of hospital charts to ascertain if there is a difference, wich we can do because the southern strong-clot lineage lives where no other brown snake occurs,” Professor Fry stated [[2]].

The team will also test existing human and veterinary antivenoms to determine if variations in venom biochemistry correlate with differences in antivenom efficacy. Professor Fry emphasized the potential for “precision toxicology,” allowing for the selection of the most appropriate antivenom for each snakebite victim [[2]].

Furthermore, Professor Fry’s team is sequencing venom genes to identify the mutations responsible for the observed differences between northern and southern Eastern Brown Snakes. The research indicates that dietary differences, with southern populations consuming more reptiles and northern populations consuming more mammals, may drive venom evolution [[2]].