Press/Media: Research
Lancaster University press release.
| Title | First effective treatment found for spitting cobra snakebite |
|---|---|
| Degree of recognition | International |
| Media name/outlet | Lancaster University |
| Primary Media type | Web |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| Date | 1/05/24 |
| Description | Scientists have discovered a groundbreaking new snakebite treatment to prevent the devastating tissue damage caused by African spitting cobra venom. Spitting cobra venom is incredibly potent and causes dermonecrosis, which presents as rapid destruction of skin, muscle and bone around the site of the snakebite, and can lead to permanent injuries and disfigurements, including limb loss and amputations in extreme cases. Professor Nicholas Casewell and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine colleagues including Dr Steven Hall - who is now at Lancaster University- discovered that using the repurposed small molecule drug varespladib to block one of the two major dermonecrosis-causing toxins in spitting cobra venom prevents skin and muscle damage. |
| Producer/Author | Lancaster University |
| Persons | Steve Hall |