Research highlights the shift from traditional horse-based antivenom production to nanobody-based treatments in alpacas and llamas to combat snakebites
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
Research highlights the shift from traditional horse-based antivenom production to nanobody-based treatments in alpacas and llamas to combat snakebites, which the WHO classifies as a neglected tropical disease.
Background
India records approximately 58,000 snakebite-related deaths annually. New research indicates that nanobodies produced in alpacas and llamas show strong activity against 17 out of 18 studied snake species.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndia records 58,000 snakebite deaths annually
- S&TNanobodies are being developed as a broader-spectrum alternative to traditional antivenoms
- PostThe World Health Organization (WHO) classifies snakebites as a neglected tropical disease
- S&TAlpacas and llamas are being used as hosts for producing nanobodies for snakebite treatment
For Mains
Q. Discuss the technological and logistical challenges in addressing snakebites as a neglected tropical disease in India and the potential of biotechnology in providing scalable solutions.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Research gap: Limitations of traditional horse-based antivenom in addressing diverse venom constituents of Indian snake species
- Public health priority: Addressing snakebites as a neglected tropical disease to reduce the 58,000 annual mortality rate
- Biotech innovation: Transitioning to nanobody-based treatments to provide broader-spectrum efficacy across multiple species
Keywords: Neglected Tropical Disease · Nanobodies · Biotechnology · Public Health Infrastructure · Antivenom Production
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