Improving access to medical care for victims of poisonous snakebites in Bangladesh\r
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The Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine at Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main (UKF) and the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) in Bangladesh, along with Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital, are conducting studies in order for a snake antivenom for green pit viper to be introduced in Bangladesh. This improves access to medical care for snakebite patients.\r
CMCH and UKF have collaborated since 2003 as part of a research cooperation arrangement; their research, educational and training activities are improving the medical care of snakebite patients.\r
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Background information\r
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In Bangladesh, 700,000 people are bitten by snakes every year. Many of them are treated successfully with an Indian polyvalent antivenom. However, this antivenom is not effective for snakebites from the green pit viper or Russell's viper, so that currently no effective antivenom is available in the country. A suitable antivenom has been used successfully for these snakebites in other countries, including Thailand, however. To introduce this antivenom in Bangladesh, preclinical efficacy studies must first be conducted with the venom of local green pit viper and Russell's viper. Furthermore, a clinical study is required on the safety, efficacy, dose-finding and cost-effectiveness of this antivenom in patients from Bangladesh who have sustained green pit viper snakebites.\r
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Activities\r
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•\tConducting a preclinical study to confirm the efficacy of the Thai antivenom for snakebites from Russell's viper and green pit viper, which occur in Bangladesh, to neutralise the venom\r
•\tConducting an interview-based study in rural communities with high incidence and their health facilities \r
•\tConducting an awareness-raising campaign in rural communities with high incidence \r
•\tConducting studies on clinical safety, efficacy, dose-finding and cost-effectiveness for the two antivenoms for patients in Bangladesh\r
•\tTraining junior researchers and research assistants \r
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Results \r
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People who have sustained a snakebite by a green pit viper or Russell's viper in Bangladesh can be treated with an appropriate antivenom that has been comprehensively tested for its efficacy and safety, among other aspects. In addition, the partners in Bangladesh are able to conduct preclinical safety and efficacy tests of antivenom batches before they are procured by the Ministry of Health in accordance with WHO guidelines. Finally, the rural population and the health workers have a raised awareness of appropriate treatment of snakebites. \r