Geographical variation of Indian Russell's viper venom and neutralization of its coagulopathy by polyvalent antivenom

Indian Russell's viper venoms of four different geographical locations were found to vary in composition, coagulopathy and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity. Venom from Kerala showed highest procoagulant activity followed by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Karnataka whereas PLA(2) activity was highest in venom from West Bengal. The commercial polyvalent antivenom differentially neutralized the aforesaid activities of the crude venoms. Antivenomics study showed the presence of non-immunodepleted and partially immunodepleted proteins in the crude venoms. Thus, Indian Russell's viper venom from different region varies in composition and accentuates the need to design regiospecific antivenoms to confront the problem of envenomation more effectively.