ANYSNAKES
Advancing Management of Systemic Envenoming by testing multiple Antivenoms
How safe and effective are up to seven different antivenoms for the treatment of severe snakebite in sub-Saharan Africa, and what are the optimal doses of these antivenoms?
What is this study about?
Venomous snakes are a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as causing significant long-term physical damage and psychological problems. A major challenge is the lack of effective antivenoms to treat snakebites.
There are three main types of snakes in sub-Saharan Africa: snakes whose venom (injected through their bite) causes problems with blood clotting, those whose venom affects the brain and central nervous system and finally those whose venom leads to cell and tissue death (known as necrosis). The long-term effects of snakebites can last for life and bring severe disability.
The ANYSNAKES study aims to measure how different antivenoms may improve the ability of the blood to clot and reduce other signs of severe snakebite. The study will also determine how often the antivenoms lead to allergic reactions or problems with the brain and central nervous system, to determine the most appropriate dose of each antivenom and work out how they compare with each other. We will measure the level of antivenom in each patient’s blood and compare this to the venom from the snake bite.
Type of study
Randomised trial
Who is funding the study?
The trial is funded by the Wellcome Trust.
When is it taking place?
The trial will open in 2024 and run for five years.
Where is it taking place?
ANYSNAKES will take place in approximately 10 centres across sub-Saharan Africa.
Who is included?
We aim to recruit approximately 2,100 participants aged two years or older with evidence of systemic envenoming following a snakebite will be enrolled in this study:
-1000 presenting with blood clotting problems (coagulopathy)
-1000 presenting with shock
-100 presenting with brain and central nervous system problems (neurotoxicity)
They will be treated with different antivenoms, depending on the type of snakes in their local area and what effects the venom has had on them clinically when they come to hospital.