Author Summary
Snake envenomation is a serious public health threat in
the rural areas of Asia and Africa. To date, the only proven
treatment for snake envenomation is antivenom therapy.
Owing to the difficulties in the diagnosis of the biting
species, there is a need to develop polyvalent antivenoms
that could cross-neutralize venoms of medically important
venomous snakes in the various regions. Recently, Thai
Red Cross Society from Thailand has developed a new
polyvalent antivenom for treatment of cobra and krait
venoms. The polyvalent antivenom, termed ‘‘Neuro Polyvalent
Snake Antivenom (NPAV),’’ is raised against venoms
of two Thai cobras and two Thai kraits. Our results
indicated that the polyvalent antivenom can effectively
neutralize venoms from many Southeast Asian cobras,
kraits and king cobra but is less effective against Indian
cobra venoms. Studies using anesthetized rats showed
that NPAV can effectively protect against cobra venominduced
cardio-respiratory depressant and neuromuscular
blocking effects, confirming that the antivenom can
effectively neutralize the major lethal toxins of common
cobra venoms. This new antivenom may find potential
application in the treatment of elapid bites in Southeast
Asia, especially Malaysia, a neighboring nation of Thailand.