Toxicon: XPub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100090
Marcos H. Salazar , Herlinda Clement , Ligia L. Corrales-García , Jairo Sánchez , John Cleghorn , Fernando Zamudio , Lourival D. Possani , Hildaura Acosta , Gerardo Corzo
{"title":"Heterologous expression of four recombinant toxins from Panamanian scorpions of the genus Tityus and Centruroides for production of antivenom","authors":"Marcos H. Salazar , Herlinda Clement , Ligia L. Corrales-García , Jairo Sánchez , John Cleghorn , Fernando Zamudio , Lourival D. Possani , Hildaura Acosta , Gerardo Corzo","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The development of more effective antivenoms remains a necessity for countries where scorpionism is a public health problem. Also, the regionalization of antivenoms may be important for some countries with special scorpionism characteristics.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Production of antibodies capable of neutralizing the lethal effect of the venom of three scorpion species from Panama.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The primary structures of two neurotoxins from <em>T. pachyurus,</em> one from <em>T. cerroazul</em> and another from <em>C. bicolor</em> were elucidated using N-terminal amino acid degradation and Sanger gene cloned sequencing. The obtained mRNA transcripts were cloned and expressed using <em>E. coli</em> vectors. Different bacterial expression conditions were tested and the best culture conditions for each expressed protein is reported. The expressed scorpion toxins were purified by chromatographic methods and used as immunogens in rabbits.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The antibodies produced under the reported immunization scheme show better neutralization (ED<sub>50</sub>) than other reported commercial antivenoms used to neutralize similar species scorpion venoms under similar LD<sub>50</sub> conditions.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The information reported here shows the proof of concept for selecting recombinant immunogens with the ability to produce antibodies for neutralizing the lethal effects of the most important medical species of scorpions in Panama.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b6/5f/main.PMC8728522.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39678911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100092
Kannon C. Pearson, Rebecca D. Tarvin
{"title":"A review of chemical defense in harlequin toads (Bufonidae: Atelopus)","authors":"Kannon C. Pearson, Rebecca D. Tarvin","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Toads of the genus <em>Atelopus</em> are chemically defended by a unique combination of endogenously synthesized cardiotoxins (bufadienolides) and neurotoxins which may be sequestered (guanidinium alkaloids). Investigation into <em>Atelopus</em> small-molecule chemical defenses has been primarily concerned with identifying and characterizing various forms of these toxins while largely overlooking their ecological roles and evolutionary implications. In addition to describing the extent of knowledge about <em>Atelopus</em> toxin structures, pharmacology, and biological sources, we review the detection, identification, and quantification methods used in studies of <em>Atelopus</em> toxins to date and conclude that many known toxin profiles are unlikely to be comprehensive because of methodological and sampling limitations. Patterns in existing data suggest that both environmental (toxin availability) and genetic (capacity to synthesize or sequester toxins) factors influence toxin profiles. From an ecological and evolutionary perspective, we summarize the possible selective pressures acting on <em>Atelopus</em> toxicity and toxin profiles, including predation, intraspecies communication, disease, and reproductive status. Ultimately, we intend to provide a basis for future ecological, evolutionary, and biochemical research on <em>Atelopus</em>.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100092"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a4/fb/main.PMC8801762.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39614363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100086
Julien Potet , David Beran , Nicolas Ray , Gabriel Alcoba , Abdulrazaq Garba Habib , Garba Iliyasu , Benjamin Waldmann , Ravikar Ralph , Mohammad Abul Faiz , Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro , Jacqueline de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett , Jose Luis di Fabio , María de los Ángeles Cortés , Nicholas I. Brown , David J. Williams
{"title":"Access to antivenoms in the developing world: A multidisciplinary analysis","authors":"Julien Potet , David Beran , Nicolas Ray , Gabriel Alcoba , Abdulrazaq Garba Habib , Garba Iliyasu , Benjamin Waldmann , Ravikar Ralph , Mohammad Abul Faiz , Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro , Jacqueline de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett , Jose Luis di Fabio , María de los Ángeles Cortés , Nicholas I. Brown , David J. Williams","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Access to safe, effective, quality-assured antivenom products that are tailored to endemic venomous snake species is a crucial component of recent coordinated efforts to reduce the global burden of snakebite envenoming. Multiple access barriers may affect the journey of antivenoms from manufacturers to the bedsides of patients. Our review describes the antivenom ecosystem at different levels and identifies solutions to overcome these challenges.</p><p>At the global level, there is insufficient manufacturing output to meet clinical needs, notably for antivenoms intended for use in regions with a scarcity of producers. At national level, variable funding and deficient regulation of certain antivenom markets can lead to the procurement of substandard antivenom. This is particularly true when producers fail to seek registration of their products in the countries where they should be used, or where weak assessment frameworks allow registration without local clinical evaluation. Out-of-pocket expenses by snakebite victims are often the main source of financing antivenoms, which results in the underuse or under-dosing of antivenoms, and a preference for low-cost products regardless of efficacy. In resource-constrained rural areas, where the majority of victims are bitten, supply of antivenom in peripheral health facilities is often unreliable. Misconceptions about treatment of snakebite envenoming are common, further reducing demand for antivenom and exacerbating delays in reaching facilities equipped for antivenom use.</p><p>Multifaceted interventions are needed to improve antivenom access in resource-limited settings. Particular attention should be paid to the comprehensive list of actions proposed within the WHO Strategy for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100086"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a7/bb/main.PMC8578041.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39630669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100082
Mitchel Otieno Okumu , James Mucunu Mbaria , Joseph Kangangi Gikunju , Paul Gichohi Mbuthia , Vincent Odongo Madadi , Francis Okumu Ochola , Mercy Seroney Jepkorir
{"title":"Artemia salina as an animal model for the preliminary evaluation of snake venom-induced toxicity","authors":"Mitchel Otieno Okumu , James Mucunu Mbaria , Joseph Kangangi Gikunju , Paul Gichohi Mbuthia , Vincent Odongo Madadi , Francis Okumu Ochola , Mercy Seroney Jepkorir","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100082","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100082","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lethality and cytotoxicity assays of snake venoms and their neutralization by antivenom require many mice for the experiments. Recent developments have prompted researchers to seek alternative strategies that minimize the use of mice in line with Russel and Burch's 3Rs philosophy (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). <em>Artemia salina</em> is an animal model widely used for toxicity screening. However, its use in snake venom toxinology is limited by a lack of data. The present study compared the toxicity of venoms from <em>Bitis arietans</em>, <em>Naja ashei,</em> and <em>Naja subfulva</em> using mice and <em>Artemia salina.</em> In the <em>Artemia salina</em> test at 24 h and the dermonecrotic test in mice, the toxicity of the venoms was in the order <em>Naja ashei ~ Naja subfulva</em> > <em>Bitis arietans</em>. In the lethality test in mice, the toxicity of the venoms was in the order <em>Naja subfulva</em> > <em>Naja ashei > Bitis arietans</em>. These findings suggest that the toxicity of the venoms in <em>Artemia salina</em> and the dermonecrotic bioassay in mice have a similar trend but differ from the lethality test in mice. Therefore, it may be relevant to further explore the <em>Artemia salina</em> bioassay as a potential surrogate test of dermonecrosis in mice. Studies with more venoms may be needed to establish the correlation between the <em>Artemia salina</em> bioassay and the dermonecrotic assay in mice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100082"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100082","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39392747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100084
Terence P. Scott , Sanjib K. Sharma , Ryan M. Wallace , Louis H. Nel , Samir K. Adhikari , Bernadette Abela-Ridder , S.M. Thumbi
{"title":"Assessing the practicalities of joint snakebite and dog rabies control programs: Commonalities and potential pitfalls","authors":"Terence P. Scott , Sanjib K. Sharma , Ryan M. Wallace , Louis H. Nel , Samir K. Adhikari , Bernadette Abela-Ridder , S.M. Thumbi","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100084","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100084","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Both rabies and snakebite primarily affect underserved and impoverished communities globally, with an estimated 200,000 people dying from these diseases annually, and the greatest burden being in Africa and Asia. Both diseases have been neglected and have thus been denied appropriate prioritization, support, and interventions, and face many of the challenges common to all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In line with the call for integrated approaches between NTDs in the recent NTD Roadmap, we sought to build upon previous conceptualizations for an integrated approach by identifying the commonalities between snakebite and rabies to explore the feasibility of an integrated approach. While multiple areas for potential integration are identified, we highlight the potential pitfalls to integrating rabies and snakebite programs, considering the nuances that make each disease and its intervention program unique. We conclude that health system strengthening, and capacity building should be the focus of any integrated approach among NTDs, and that by strengthening overall health systems, both rabies and snakebite can advocate for further support from governments and stakeholders.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100084"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/15/38/main.PMC8482506.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39496464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Local inflammatory mediators alterations induced by Daboia siamensis venom","authors":"Suchitra Khunsap , Kanyanat Promruangreang , Sunutcha Suntrarachun , Jureeporn Noiphrom , Orawan Khow","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The ability of Russell's viper (<em>Daboia siamensis</em>) venom (total RVV) and phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (purified PLA<sub>2</sub>) to induce the local pathological effects were investigated by the local inflammatory events and the release of inflammatory mediators. Both 0.5 μg of total RVV/mouse and 0.15 μg of purified PLA<sub>2</sub>/mouse were administered via intra-peritoneal injection. After 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h incubation time, the peritoneal cavity was flooded with normal saline and the total leukocytes were collected. The eicosanoids (lipid mediators) and the leukocyte expression of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) were investigated by ELISA assay and western blotting, respectively. The amounts of total leukocytes were increased from 30 min to 2 h, then decreased at 4 h, by both total RVV and purified PLA<sub>2</sub>. Both treatments also induced the expression of COX-2 which was increased at 2 h and then decreased at 4 h, whereas only purified PLA<sub>2</sub> induced the expression level of a COX-1 protein which was increased at 30 min, then constantly expressed until 4 h. In addition, total RVV and purified PLA<sub>2</sub> caused the release of the eicosanoids; PGE<sub>2</sub>, TXB<sub>2</sub>, and LTB<sub>4</sub>, which reached the peak after 2 h. The findings of this study indicate that purified PLA<sub>2</sub> has the potential effects to induce the local inflammation relating the amounts of leukocytes cells, lipid mediators and COX-2 more than the total RVV.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100085"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/d0/cc/main.PMC8517603.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39569202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100087
Gina Durán, Gabriela Solano, Aarón Gómez, Daniel Cordero, Adriana Sánchez, Mauren Villalta, Melvin Sánchez, Cecilia Díaz, José María Gutiérrez, Guillermo León
{"title":"Assessing a 6-h endpoint observation time in the lethality neutralization assay used to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of snake antivenoms","authors":"Gina Durán, Gabriela Solano, Aarón Gómez, Daniel Cordero, Adriana Sánchez, Mauren Villalta, Melvin Sánchez, Cecilia Díaz, José María Gutiérrez, Guillermo León","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The lethality neutralization assay in mice is the gold standard for the evaluation of the preclinical efficacy and specification fulfillment of snake antivenoms. However, owing to the animal suffering involved, this assay is a candidate to be replaced by <em>in vitro</em> alternatives or, at least, improved by the reduction of the number of animals used per experiment, the introduction of analgesia, and the refinement of the test. Since these tests are usually run for 24 or 48 h, one possibility to refine it is to shorten the endpoint observation time of the assay and so limiting the duration of suffering. To assess the effect of this modification of the standard procedure on the analytical properties of the assay, we compared the median lethal dose (LD<sub>50</sub>) and median effective dose (ED<sub>50</sub>) values, estimated through observation times of 6, 24 and 48 h. We used African and Latin American snake venoms and several batches of two polyspecific antivenoms. A significant correlation was found between LD<sub>50</sub> and ED<sub>50</sub> values estimated at the three observation times. Although some LD<sub>50</sub> and ED<sub>50</sub> values were significantly different at these time points, results of 6 h were robust enough to be used in the characterization of new antivenoms, the verification of specification compliance, and the parallel comparison of formulations. Our observations support the modification of the standard procedures used for assessing neutralizing ability of antivenoms by carrying out the observations at 6 h instead of 24 or 48 h, with the consequent reduction in the suffering inflicted upon mice during these assays. However, the shortening of the observation time in the lethality tests must be validated for each venom and antivenom before its introduction in the routine procedures.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100087"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8634039/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39710313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100081
Anita Malhotra , Wolfgang Wüster , John Benjamin Owens , Cameron Wesley Hodges , Allwin Jesudasan , Gnaneswar Ch , Ajay Kartik , Peter Christopher , Jose Louies , Hiral Naik , Vishal Santra , Sourish Rajagopalan Kuttalam , Shaleen Attre , Mahmood Sasa , Carlos Bravo-Vega , Kris A. Murray
{"title":"Promoting co-existence between humans and venomous snakes through increasing the herpetological knowledge base","authors":"Anita Malhotra , Wolfgang Wüster , John Benjamin Owens , Cameron Wesley Hodges , Allwin Jesudasan , Gnaneswar Ch , Ajay Kartik , Peter Christopher , Jose Louies , Hiral Naik , Vishal Santra , Sourish Rajagopalan Kuttalam , Shaleen Attre , Mahmood Sasa , Carlos Bravo-Vega , Kris A. Murray","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100081","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Snakebite incidence at least partly depends on the biology of the snakes involved. However, studies of snake biology have been largely neglected in favour of anthropic factors, with the exception of taxonomy, which has been recognised for some decades to affect the design of antivenoms. Despite this, within-species venom variation and the unpredictability of the correlation with antivenom cross-reactivity has continued to be problematic. Meanwhile, other aspects of snake biology, including behaviour, spatial ecology and activity patterns, distribution, and population demography, which can contribute to snakebite mitigation and prevention, remain underfunded and understudied. Here, we review the literature relevant to these aspects of snakebite and illustrate how demographic, spatial, and behavioural studies can improve our understanding of why snakebites occur and provide evidence for prevention strategies. We identify the large gaps that remain to be filled and urge that, in the future, data and relevant metadata be shared openly via public data repositories so that studies can be properly replicated and data used in future meta-analyses.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100081"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/86/b4/main.PMC8426276.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39416934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100083
Thays Crosara Abrahão Cunha , Ana Claudia Gontijo Couto , Eduardo Januzzi , Rafael Tardin Rosa Ferraz Gonçalves , Graziella Silva , Cassia Regina Silva
{"title":"Analgesic potential of different available commercial brands of botulinum neurotoxin-A in formalin-induced orofacial pain in mice","authors":"Thays Crosara Abrahão Cunha , Ana Claudia Gontijo Couto , Eduardo Januzzi , Rafael Tardin Rosa Ferraz Gonçalves , Graziella Silva , Cassia Regina Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100083","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100083","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The use of botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A) is an alternative for the management of orofacial pain disorders. Although only Botox has labeled, there are other commercial brands available for use, among them: Dysport, Botulift, Prosigne, and Xeomin. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible differences in the antinociceptive effect evoked by different commercially available formulations of BoNT-A in an animal model of inflammatory orofacial pain induced by formalin injection. Male C57/BL6 mice (20–25 g) were submitted to the pre-treatment with five different commercial brands of BoNT-A (Botox, Botulift, Xeomin, Dysport, or Prosigne; with doses between 0.02 and 0.2 Units of Botulinum Toxin, in 20 μL of 0.9% saline) three days prior the 2% formalin injection. All injections were made subcutaneously into the right perinasal area. After formalin injections, nociceptive behaviors like rubbing the place of injection were quantified during the neurogenic (0–5 min) and inflammatory (15–30 min) phases. The treatment using Botox, Botulift, and Xeomin were able to induce antinociceptive effects in both phases of the formalin-induced pain animal model, however, Dysport and Prosigne reduced the response in neither of them. Our data suggest that the treatment using different formulations of BoNT-A is not similar in efficacy as analgesics when evaluated in formalin-induced orofacial pain in mice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100083"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100083","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39420653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toxicon: XPub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100073
Bethany Moos , David Williams , Isabelle Bolon , Denise Mupfasoni , Bernadette Abela-Ridder , Rafael Ruiz de Castaneda
{"title":"A scoping review of current practices on community engagement in rural East Africa: Recommendations for snakebite envenoming","authors":"Bethany Moos , David Williams , Isabelle Bolon , Denise Mupfasoni , Bernadette Abela-Ridder , Rafael Ruiz de Castaneda","doi":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Community empowerment and engagement is one of the four strategic aims highlighted in the WHO strategy to prevent and control snakebite envenoming. Inappropriate health-seeking behaviours contribute to adverse outcomes, and community engagement is key in driving behavioural change. WHO has highlighted East Africa as a geographical area of concern for snakebite envenoming. The overall aim of the project is to develop a community engagement toolkit for snakebite envenoming and other NTDs. The objective of this scoping review was to identify current practices in recent community engagement in rural East Africa; the applicability of these results to snakebite envenoming are discussed. <em>PubMed, Web of Science</em>, <em>PsycINFO</em> and <em>Google Scholar</em> were searched from 1 January 2017 to 3 September 2020. Search terms were used to identify publications which related to rural communities and health or disease, for both humans and animals. After reviewing the full papers for all geographical areas, 112 publications were included, 30 of which were conducted in East Africa. Papers included nine different countries and covered a broad range of health topics; notably, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, and maternal and child health. Only one publication considered animal health. The most common form of engagement was in the context of a group meeting, lecture, presentation, discussion or question and answer session (63.3%). A variety of locations within the community were used to engage with people, the most common being an individual's household (23.3%). Communication factors was the key influencer for engagement, both positively and negatively. Key barriers to engagement include local languages and health beliefs, literacy levels, mobile phone ownership and the level of mobile Internet coverage, burden of agricultural work and weather conditions. This study provides an extensive overview of recent public health community engagement in East Africa, which will serve as a useful resource for any group seeking to plan an intervention in remote and rural areas in East Africa. Furthermore, it serves as a guide to help tailor community engagement to snakebite envenoming.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37124,"journal":{"name":"Toxicon: X","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100073"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100073","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39303385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}