Preprints with The Lancet is a collaboration between The Lancet Group of journals and SSRN to facilitate the open sharing of preprints for early engagement, community comment, and collaboration. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early-stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision-making or presented without highlighting these facts. For more information, please see the FAQs.
Trends in Snakebite – Beyond the Tipping Point?
11 Pages Posted: 9 Jul 2020
More...Abstract
Background: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a priority neglected tropical disease, which kills in excess of 100,000 people per year. Additionally, most millions of victims still struggle from injuries and long-term health effects. Antivenom, the only cure for SBE, has a number of major related issues, including adverse reactions and limited availability.
Objective: To systematically review and evaluate the pattern of reported cases of snakebite and cure over the years.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The articles were searched from databases like PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct and the Health Research and Development Information Network combining MeSH and free-text terms.
Results: This analysis highlights the key factors contributing to the gross mortality and morbidity associated with snakebite envenoming. The current research taking place to overcome this complex disease and the urgent need to develop improved therapeutics for snake bites are also discussed.
Conclusion: This study will also help to understand the types of research, main findings and the important gap in snakebite envenoming.
Funding Statement: Not applicable.
Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.
Keywords: Snakebite, Antivenom, Envenoming, Victims
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation