Intensive Care of Acute Poisoning - A. V. Hovenko 2010

Main types of acute poisoning and their treatment
Poisoning by animal toxins

There are approximately 5,000 species of venomous animals and reptiles worldwide. Every year, more than 10 million people suffer from their bites or stings. Snakebites alone affect 500,000 people annually, resulting in 30,000 to 50,000 fatalities.

Poisoning by various fish toxins is recorded in 20,000 people per year, with approximately 300 cases resulting in death.

Zootoxins feature a diverse chemical composition, which accounts for their high toxicity and ability to trigger severe pathological syndromes. Tetrodotoxin, found in pufferfish, is considered the most toxic animal poison, causing severe damage to the Peripheral Nervous system.

The primary components of animal venoms are Proteins, the majority of which are Enzymes and Polypeptides.

Phospholipase A activates lecithin, which exhibits hemolytic and cytolytic properties, leading to Blood and tissue damage during snakebites.

L-Amino Acid Oxidase converts Amino Acids into ketones, which activate tissue peptidase, thereby enhancing tissue destruction.

Hyaluronidase helps other toxic components of venoms penetrate Tissues and spread rapidly from the bite site throughout the victim's body.

Proteases exert hemorrhagic and proteolytic effects, significantly amplifying the overall toxic impact of the venom.

Furthermore, animal venom proteins frequently trigger anaphylactic reactions in humans because they act as ideal Antigens.

Certain zootoxin components exhibit anticoagulant activity, disrupting Blood Coagulation and thereby facilitating the spread of the venom.

Upon stinging or biting, some insects release potent organic acids that irritate the Skin and cause toxic dermatitis resembling a chemical burn.

Thus, the combined action of Peptides, polypeptides, and amines leads to tissue damage via enzymatic systems and intracellular structures. The interaction of zootoxins with numerous biochemical systems in the body accounts for their diverse toxic effects.

The toxicity of animal venoms and their effects depend on:

- the AGE AND SEX of the animal,

- its growth and feeding conditions,

- the season of the year,

- its habitat.

Venoms secreted through saliva and the oral mucous membranes generally serve offensive purposes. They cause severe pain and are considerably more toxic than venoms secreted through other body parts, which are used primarily for defense and exhibit lower toxicity.