Possible antidote found for black widow spider bite

“For the first time we present human antibodies that show neutralization of black widow spider venom in a cell-based assay”

Health.- Professor Michael Hust, a biologist at the The Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany presented a new studypublished in ‘Frontiers in Immunology’, on human antibodies that could neutralize the toxin from the bite of the black widow spider.

“For the first time we present Human antibodies that show Neutralization of black widow spider venom in a cell-based assay. It is the first step to “replace the horse serums that are still used to treat severe symptoms after a bite”the expert said, according to Europa Press.

Many patients bitten by black widow spiders do not receive complete treatment because the antidote is made from horse-derived proteins, which are foreign to the human body and can cause undesirable side effects. This includes serum sickness, a reaction to proteins in animal-derived antiserums and a very severe allergy that can lead to death.

They set out to replace the horse-derived antivenom “with recombinant human antibodies to get a better product for patients and avoid using horses for serum production,” Hust added.

For this, the researchers focused on the European black widow spider, which is found mainly in the Mediterranean. Using genetic technology, the researchers generated dozens of human antibodies that could neutralize alpha-latrotoxin, the venom generated by a black widow spider.

Antibodies engineered in this way can be reproduced with the same quality because the DNA sequence of the human antibody is known. Animal welfare could also be improved because horses do not need to be immunized or bled to produce black window antitoxins.

What causes its bite?

The black widow spider, Scientifically known as Latrodectus mactans, it is famous for its dangerous sting. Recognizable by the distinctive red hourglass shape on its abdomen, The black widow is found in various regions of the worldThe venom of this spider contains a powerful neurotoxin called alpha-latrotoxin, which affects the nervous system.

Symptoms may take time to appear. There may even be just redness in the area at first.

He The first symptom is usually a pin-prick-like pain. But later, between 15 minutes and 1 hour after the attack, muscle pain begins to be felt throughout the body.

In addition, other more serious symptoms such as chest pain may occur. (if the bite is on the upper part of the body) or on the abdomen (if the bite occurred in the lower part of the body).