Kit to identify attacks by pit vipers is the subject of research that brings advances to the health of AM

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The kit facilitates identification and speeds up delivery of the correct treatment to the patient.

A kit for the rapid identification of accidents caused by pit vipers is the subject of research carried out by professor of the Pharmacy course at Nilton Lins University, Marco Aurélio Sartim, selected by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas to participate in the project “Research Opportunities in Europe for Active Doctoral Researchers in Brazil”.

According to Sartim, annually in Amazonas an average of 2,000 occurrences of people attacked by snakes are recorded and of this total, more than 90% are cases caused by this species.

Also according to the researcher, the kit developed by the Technical University of Denmark, in partnership with the biotechnology startup Venom Aid, facilitates the identification and accelerates the application of the correct treatment in the patient, since it replaces the method currently used, which is based on monitoring and observation of the victim’s symptoms to determine which antivenom to apply.

“This correct and immediate diagnosis will be essential for the treatment of patients, especially in the municipalities of the interior of Amazonas, where there is a shortage of resources and qualified professionals to carry out the identification”,

highlighted.

Sartim explained that the kit is a laboratory test developed over five years that consists of evaluating a sample of the patient’s blood and is being tested by him and his team, with snake victims treated at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT -HVD), in Manaus.

Exchange

In addition to the social advancement for the health of the State and the region, the researcher highlighted the importance of research for Nilton Lins University, for scientists, Amazonian doctors and future academics in the area.

“The internationalization of the university’s actions and the exchange of technology and information between Nilton Lins and Danish institutions will certainly make it possible in the future to develop other products, tests and serums aimed at other types of venomous animals that will directly benefit the population and the development of more effective public policies”,

stated.

*With advisory information

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