Year: 2025
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Objective: envenomation in the Region of the Americas and to synthesize data on treatment outcomes, adverse reactions and long-term sequelae. Methods: species in the Region of the Americas. We extracted data on patient demographics, adverse reactions, clinical complications and long-term sequelae following antivenom therapy. Findings: envenomations occurred more frequently in men (75.2%; 3247/4320 individuals), predominantly affected the lower limbs (76.5%; 2494/3295) and typically resulted in moderate-grade envenoming (44.6%; 1553/3483 individuals). We found that adverse reactions to antivenom therapy were common: 19.6% (589/2998) experienced early reactions and 1.6% (16/992) delayed reactions, although incidence declined in recent years. Individuals experienced clinical complications, such as severe oedema (23.2%; 239/1032), secondary infections (22.8%; 452/1985) and coagulopathies (20.7%; 357/1724). Some patients also experienced permanent sequelae, though these complications were relatively infrequent (3.3%; 50/1512). For studies reporting on deaths, 0.8% (23/3035) of patients died. Conclusion: envenomation. However, challenges persist in treatment outcomes and long-term sequelae. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing research to strengthen antivenom manufacturing, explore adjunct therapies and improve post-envenomation care. Substantial heterogeneity study methods and reported outcomes, precluded the ability to conduct pooled analyses and generalize findings.
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416939279