Snake envenoming is a neglected tropical disease and results in numerous deaths, psychological problems and economic burden. Antivenoms aren't readily available in resource poor countries. The CRE will investigate the effects of venom and antivenom to improve understanding of human envenoming. It will also develop tests for early diagnosis of envenoming and undertake clinical trials of antivenom. These studies will be translated back into clinical practice to improve treatment of snake bites.
Molecular Toxinology Of Australian Box Jellyfish Venoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,110.00
Summary
Box jellyfish are an ongoing cause of illness and death for coastal communities and tourist regions in northern Australia. As well as creating a significant medical problem, the resulting closure of beaches during boxjellyfish 'season' results in an enormous loss of tourism income and threatens Australia's reputation as a safe destination. The jellyfish venoms contain toxins with potentially lethal effects on humans. For the first time, using pure venoms derived from the specialised stinging cel ....Box jellyfish are an ongoing cause of illness and death for coastal communities and tourist regions in northern Australia. As well as creating a significant medical problem, the resulting closure of beaches during boxjellyfish 'season' results in an enormous loss of tourism income and threatens Australia's reputation as a safe destination. The jellyfish venoms contain toxins with potentially lethal effects on humans. For the first time, using pure venoms derived from the specialised stinging cells (i.e. nematocytsts), we will isolate and characterize the major toxins from four species of box jellyfish. Their mechanism of action will be determined and the effect of various treatments such as antivenom will be investigated. This will also lead to the discovery of toxins with potentially novel targets and modes of action and increase our understanding of proposed treatments and prevention of stings.Read moreRead less
Discovering New Pathways To Improved Biotherapeutic Treatment Of Snakebite Envenoming.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Snakebite is a public health emergency affecting up to 5.4 million people a year, causing up to 125,000 deaths. This multidisciplinary project will develop a new generation of medicines for treating snakebites, using innovative design approaches supported by cutting edge science and novel production ideas. Directly focused on improving antivenom effectiveness in the treatment of snakebites in Australia, Africa and Papua New Guinea, the results will make Australia a world leader in this field.
The study builds on strong existing NHMRC funded collaborative links between Sri Lanka and Australia in research which has reduced mortality and provided better evidence for treatment of poisoning. Current measurements of kidney damage are slow to change and insensitive. We will study new ways to measure acute kidney toxicity in people with poisoning and snakebite. We aim to determine whether these new measures are better predictors of the short and long term effects on the kidney.
Neuromuscular Junction Toxicity After Anticholinesterase Pesticide Poisoning And Envenomation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,351,392.00
Summary
The study builds on strong existing NHMRC funded collaborative research links between Sri Lanka and Australia in research which have reduced mortality and provided better evidence for treatment of pesticide poisoning. We will study the paralysing effects of acute insecticide poisoning and snakebite on the human nervous system. We aim to determine whether these can be predicted early in the course of the illness and the long term effects. We also aim to see if any particular insecticides cause mo ....The study builds on strong existing NHMRC funded collaborative research links between Sri Lanka and Australia in research which have reduced mortality and provided better evidence for treatment of pesticide poisoning. We will study the paralysing effects of acute insecticide poisoning and snakebite on the human nervous system. We aim to determine whether these can be predicted early in the course of the illness and the long term effects. We also aim to see if any particular insecticides cause more problems than others.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Factor Replacement Therapy In Snake Bite Coagulopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,730.00
Summary
This proposal seeks funding to undertake a controlled trial of clotting factor replacement in snake bite coagulopathy after the administration of a neutralising dose of antivenom. The aim is to determine if factor replacement will result in a rapid return of clotting function in patients and therefore reduce the potential risk of major bleeding. This study will have international implications because globally snakebite coagulopathy is a major cause of morbidity and death like in Australia.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Antivenom For Red-bellied Black Snake Envenoming
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,444.00
Summary
Muscle damage can result from snake bite, is irreversible and there is no specific treatment except antivenom. Red-bellied black snake bite provides a unique opportunity to study antivenom use in muscle damage in snake bite because this snake occurs across large population areas of NSW and Queensland. The study will determine if antivenom is effective and safe in red bellied black snake bite and whether it is therefore useful for other important snakes that cause muscle damage worldwide.
Improving Health Outcomes In Drug Overdose And Envenoming: Risk Assessment And Interventional Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,209.00
Summary
The research aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms and treatments for poisoning and envenoming. Observational studies measuring toxin levels will be done to investigate the effects of drug overdose and terrestrial and marine envenoming. Clinical trials will be done to investigate the benefit and safety of antivenom in snake/spider envenoming, antidotes and other treatments for drug overdose, including decontamination such as activated charcoal. Clinical studies will involve multipl ....The research aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms and treatments for poisoning and envenoming. Observational studies measuring toxin levels will be done to investigate the effects of drug overdose and terrestrial and marine envenoming. Clinical trials will be done to investigate the benefit and safety of antivenom in snake/spider envenoming, antidotes and other treatments for drug overdose, including decontamination such as activated charcoal. Clinical studies will involve multiple hospitals across Australia.Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Intravenous Antivenom Versus Placebo In The Treatment Of Redback Spider Bite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,440.00
Summary
Redback spiderbite is the most common significant envenoming in Australia and bites by the closely related widow spiders are a major global problem. Despite widespread use of redback spider antivenom, no controlled study has tested its effectiveness. This study aims to test the efficacy of antivenom versus placebo in a large multicentre, randomised controlled trial - RAVE-II. It is of critical importance to determine if an expensive treatment with a known risk of allergic reactions is effective.
Does Fresh Frozen Plasma In Russells Viper Bite Coagulopathy Reduce The Dose And Duration Of Antivenom Therapy?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,344.00
Summary
This proposal seeks funding to undertake a trial of clotting factor replacement with low dose antivenom therapy in snake bite coagulopathy in Sri Lanka. The aim is to determine if factor replacement will result in a rapid return of clotting function, allow a smaller dose of antivenom and therefore reduce the potential risk of major bleeding and reactions to antivenom. This study will have international implications because globally snakebite coagulopathy is a major cause of morbidity and death .