Potency assay of liquid preparation of enzyme refined monospecific Russell's viper antivenoms

Enzyme immunoassay technique (EIA) was used to assess the performance of liquid preparation of enzyme refined monospecific Russell's viper antivenoms manufactured by Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, stored at +4 C and room temperature at two township hospitals. The antivenoms stored at +4 C with a shelf life of less than 1/2 year, time expired precipitated antivenoms and batches of antivenom stored at room temperature with a shelf life of one year have lost venom neutralising activity and also venom antigen was detected in the urine. The poor performance of liquid antivenom probably results from batch to batch variation and incorrect storage of antivenom.

Detection of Russell's viper venom antigen in human snake bite victims during the course of antivenom therapy

Venom levels before and after administration of 40 ml of liquid and lyophilised monovalent antivenom in 67 cases of human Russell's viper bite were measured by Enzyme- Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A venom level of 60 ng/ml or more was detected in most patients (41/46) who presented with nonclotting blood. In 13 out of 16 cases treated with 40ml of liquid preparation and 10 out of 25 cases treated with the same dose of lyophilised antivenom, venom level of 60 ng/ml or more were not neutralised within 2 hr, of therapy, indicated that 40 ml antivenom was not sufficient in treating 50

of the patients with nonclotting blood. The neutralizing ability of lyophilised preparation is superior to that of the liquid antivenom used in the study.