Bothriechis Bothriechis lateralislateralis

The Side-striped The Side-striped Palm-pitViperPalm-pitViperBy Jang Garcia and Tyler OngBy Jang Garcia and Tyler Ong

Biology of ToxinsBiology of Toxins

April 30, 2008April 30, 2008

Picture yourself on Picture yourself on spring break…spring break…

You’re on your free-day hike You’re on your free-day hike through the mountains of Costa through the mountains of Costa Rica, and you happen upon an Rica, and you happen upon an exciting frog specimen. exciting frog specimen.

You try to catch the frog, but as you try to You try to catch the frog, but as you try to grab the amphibian from some low grab the amphibian from some low shrubbery you feel a quick sharp pain on shrubbery you feel a quick sharp pain on your outstretched hand. your outstretched hand.

Right after recoiling from the bite Right after recoiling from the bite sensation, you notice two small puncture sensation, you notice two small puncture marks on your hand. marks on your hand.

Not caring about the frog anymore you Not caring about the frog anymore you investigate further as to what bit you only investigate further as to what bit you only to find a slender green snake with to find a slender green snake with paravertebral stripes.paravertebral stripes.

Bothriechis lateralisBothriechis lateralisThe Side-striped The Side-striped Palm-pitViperPalm-pitViper

Bothriechis lateralisBothriechis lateralisThe Side-striped The Side-striped

Palm ViperPalm Viper The viper, The viper, Bothriechis lateralisBothriechis lateralis, is , is one of many palm viper species one of many palm viper species found in the cloud forests of Costa found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. These vipers are venomous Rica. These vipers are venomous and are considered to be a danger and are considered to be a danger to humans.to humans.

It is one of only nine known species It is one of only nine known species of palm vipers. of palm vipers.

TaxonomyTaxonomy Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia Phylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata Subphylum: VertebrataSubphylum: Vertebrata Class: ReptiliaClass: Reptilia Order: SquamataOrder: Squamata Suborder: SerpentesSuborder: Serpentes Family: ViperidaeFamily: Viperidae Subfamily: CrotalinaeSubfamily: Crotalinae Genus: Genus: BothriechisBothriechis Species: Species: B. lateralisB. lateralis

Bothriechis Bothriechis lateralislateralis

Common names: side-striped palm-Common names: side-striped palm-pitviper, side-striped palm viper, pitviper, side-striped palm viper, green palm viper, yellow lined palm green palm viper, yellow lined palm viperviper

Geographic range: Mountains and Geographic range: Mountains and foothills of Costa Rica and western foothills of Costa Rica and western Panama.Panama.

Habitat: This species is found from Habitat: This species is found from the cloud forests of the mountains the cloud forests of the mountains through lower mountain rainforests, through lower mountain rainforests, as well as coffee plantations in as well as coffee plantations in nearby regions.nearby regions.

Bothriechis Bothriechis lateralislateralis

Lifestyle: Palm vipers are arboreal and Lifestyle: Palm vipers are arboreal and often found on palm fronds. They remain often found on palm fronds. They remain coiled and still to avoid detection by both coiled and still to avoid detection by both prey and predators. When prey comes prey and predators. When prey comes near or if they are threatened they strike near or if they are threatened they strike quickly. quickly.

Diet: Birds, rodents, and frogs are Diet: Birds, rodents, and frogs are B. B. lateralis’ lateralis’ main prey items.main prey items.

Size: Usually less than 80cm.Size: Usually less than 80cm.

Bothriechis Bothriechis lateralislateralis The palm viper injects its venom The palm viper injects its venom

through retractable hollow fangs.through retractable hollow fangs. The venom is a cocktail of toxins The venom is a cocktail of toxins

that serve many different functions that serve many different functions in killing prey, and deterring in killing prey, and deterring predators. predators.

Viper VenomViper Venom Not much is known about all the Not much is known about all the

components of the venom, but it is components of the venom, but it is known that the palm viper’s venom known that the palm viper’s venom contains mainly hemotoxic compounds.contains mainly hemotoxic compounds.

Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red blood cells, interfere with blood blood cells, interfere with blood clotting, and can cause tissue clotting, and can cause tissue degeneration (usually localized).degeneration (usually localized).

Viper Venom = Viper Venom = HemotoxinsHemotoxins

Hemotoxins causes death much slower Hemotoxins causes death much slower than neurotoxins in most cases. Usually than neurotoxins in most cases. Usually prey items stop fleeing or fighting due to prey items stop fleeing or fighting due to shock cased by the venom. shock cased by the venom.

Death caused by hemotoxins is usually Death caused by hemotoxins is usually due to severe and sudden drops in blood due to severe and sudden drops in blood pressure or strokes. Either of which are pressure or strokes. Either of which are caused by proteins that induce systemic caused by proteins that induce systemic coagulation or uncontrolled bleedingcoagulation or uncontrolled bleeding..

Viper Venom = Viper Venom = HemotoxinsHemotoxins

Symptoms in humans include severe pain Symptoms in humans include severe pain and swelling in the bite area. Nausea, and swelling in the bite area. Nausea, disorientation, and headache may be disorientation, and headache may be delayed for several hours.delayed for several hours.

Hemotoxins are used in diagnostic Hemotoxins are used in diagnostic studies of the coagulation system. Lupus studies of the coagulation system. Lupus anticoagulants is detected by changes in anticoagulants is detected by changes in a laboratory assay based on venom of a laboratory assay based on venom of the Russell's viper.the Russell's viper.

Viper BitesViper Bites Envenomation from a Envenomation from a Bothriechis Bothriechis

lateralis lateralis is serious but not usually fatal for is serious but not usually fatal for humans.humans.

Following a envenomation, most Following a envenomation, most individuals exhibit symptoms individuals exhibit symptoms characterized by characterized by severe pain, swelling, severe pain, swelling, tissue damage, low blood pressure, and or tissue damage, low blood pressure, and or hemorrhaging. Nausea, disorientation, hemorrhaging. Nausea, disorientation, and headache can also occur.and headache can also occur.

Worst case scenario: loss of a limb, stroke, Worst case scenario: loss of a limb, stroke, and even death.and even death.

4 hours after envenomation

9 hours after envenomation

LandmassesLandmasses Population Population (x10(x1066))

Total Total number of number of

bitesbites

No. of No. of envenomatioenvenomatio

nsns

No. of No. of fatalitiesfatalities

EuropeEurope 730730 25,00025,000 8,0008,000 3030

USA and USA and CanadaCanada

270270 45,00045,000 6,5006,500 1515

Central and Central and South AmericaSouth America

400400 300,000300,000 150,000150,000 5,0005,000

AfricaAfrica 760760 1,000,0001,000,000 500,000500,000 20,00020,000

AsiaAsia 3,5003,500 4,000,0004,000,000 2,000,0002,000,000 100,000100,000

OceaniaOceania 20*20* 10,00010,000 3,0003,000 200200

TotalTotal 5,8405,840 5,400,0005,400,000 2,682,5002,682,500 125,345125,345

Global Evaluation of Snakebites in 1998

Global Distribution of Global Distribution of Terrestrial Snakebite Terrestrial Snakebite

MorbidityMorbidity

TreatmentTreatment Should a viper bite occur, prompt Should a viper bite occur, prompt

professional medical care is the best professional medical care is the best response. response.

Determining whether a bite poses a Determining whether a bite poses a serious threat to the victim depends serious threat to the victim depends on many variables some of which on many variables some of which include the size age and condition of include the size age and condition of both the viper and the victim, the both the viper and the victim, the amount of venom injected, the time amount of venom injected, the time from envenomation to treatment and from envenomation to treatment and the types of treatment available.the types of treatment available.

World class hospital/housing projects in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

TreatmentTreatment If professional medical attention is not If professional medical attention is not

immediately available: immediately available: GET VICTIM TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM ASAP! GET VICTIM TO NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM ASAP! Keep the victim calm and as still as possible. Keep the victim calm and as still as possible. Do not wash wound. This can wash away surface venom Do not wash wound. This can wash away surface venom

traces that can be used to identify the venom and traces that can be used to identify the venom and expedite treatment. expedite treatment.

Apply a constricting bandage tight enough to slow Apply a constricting bandage tight enough to slow circulation but not enough to stop pulse. circulation but not enough to stop pulse.

Do not incise the wound or attempt to suck the venom Do not incise the wound or attempt to suck the venom from the wound.from the wound.

Do not give the victim anything to drink or any Do not give the victim anything to drink or any pharmaceuticals unless instructed to do so by a medical pharmaceuticals unless instructed to do so by a medical professional. professional.

Emergency room inside the hospital

This is the best room in the place. Note: the fan in here has two blades.

AntiveninAntivenin The best way to treat an envenomation is The best way to treat an envenomation is

to administer the proper antivenin to the to administer the proper antivenin to the victim as soon as possible.victim as soon as possible.

Antivenin is generated through Antivenin is generated through envenomation of usually sheep or horse envenomation of usually sheep or horse to generate an immune response. The to generate an immune response. The antibodies generated area then purified antibodies generated area then purified from the animals serum and then from the animals serum and then administered to a patient who has been administered to a patient who has been envenomated.envenomated.

Bothriechis Bothriechis LateralisLateralis

Synonyms: Synonyms: Side-striped Palm Pit ViperSide-striped Palm Pit Viper

Classification: Classification: SnakeSnake (animal group), (animal group), ViperidaeViperidae (family), (family), BOTHRIECHISBOTHRIECHIS (genus)(genus)

Indicated antivenom:Indicated antivenom:

1.1.

AntivenomAntivenom

Polyvalent AntivenomPolyvalent Antivenom, , Instituto Clodomiro, Costa Instituto Clodomiro, Costa RicaRica

Type of Type of antibodyantibody

paraspecificparaspecific

Number of holding Number of holding centerscenters

33

Countries of holding centers: Countries of holding centers: GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, UNITED KINGDOMGERMANY, SWITZERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM

AntiveninAntivenin

Antivenin binds and neutralizes venom Antivenin binds and neutralizes venom toxins through agglutination reactions as toxins through agglutination reactions as well as stimulating an immune response well as stimulating an immune response specific to the toxins.specific to the toxins.

Individuals that have been given antivenin Individuals that have been given antivenin can experience an immediate anaphylactic can experience an immediate anaphylactic reaction or a delayed hypersensitivity reaction or a delayed hypersensitivity (serum sickness), but these risks do not (serum sickness), but these risks do not out weigh the affects of untreated venom out weigh the affects of untreated venom in ones system.in ones system.

Jang on his way to recovery

Note: Jang has a view from an un-boarded window.

PreventionPrevention Always be aware of your surroundings and Always be aware of your surroundings and

where you are stepping and putting your hands.where you are stepping and putting your hands. Inform yourself as to which plants animals pose Inform yourself as to which plants animals pose

a threat to humans in your area and when and a threat to humans in your area and when and where said animals are found.where said animals are found.

In CaptivityIn Captivity Proper handling and training by a professional Proper handling and training by a professional

can help prevent a bite. can help prevent a bite. When professionals handle palm vipers, they When professionals handle palm vipers, they

usually use specialized equipment designed to usually use specialized equipment designed to minimize risk when handling snakes such as minimize risk when handling snakes such as snake sticks and tongs.snake sticks and tongs.

ReferencesReferences ""Appendix: Antivenom Tables" (2003). Appendix: Antivenom Tables" (2003). Clinical ToxicologyClinical Toxicology 4141 (3): 317-27. doi:10.1081/CLT-120021117 (3): 317-27. doi:10.1081/CLT-120021117

Bazaa, A. et al (2005) Snake venomics: Comparative analysis of the venom proteomes of the Tunisian snakes Bazaa, A. et al (2005) Snake venomics: Comparative analysis of the venom proteomes of the Tunisian snakes Cerastes cerastes, Cerastes vipera and Macrovipera lebetina. Proteomics 5, 4223–4235Cerastes cerastes, Cerastes vipera and Macrovipera lebetina. Proteomics 5, 4223–4235

www.fougera.comwww.fougera.com

Green Palm Viper (Green Palm Viper (Bothriechis lateralisBothriechis lateralis) at Cloud Forest Alive. Accessed 27 November 2006) at Cloud Forest Alive. Accessed 27 November 2006

McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume). (volume).

Niewiarowski S, Kirby EP, Brudzynski TM, Stocker K. (1979) Thrombocytin, a serine protease from Bothrops Niewiarowski S, Kirby EP, Brudzynski TM, Stocker K. (1979) Thrombocytin, a serine protease from Bothrops atrox venom. 2. Interaction with platelets and plasma-clotting factors. Biochemistry. 18(16):3570-7.atrox venom. 2. Interaction with platelets and plasma-clotting factors. Biochemistry. 18(16):3570-7.

http://www.who.int/bloodproducts/publications/en/bulletin_1998_76(5)_515-524.pdfhttp://www.who.int/bloodproducts/publications/en/bulletin_1998_76(5)_515-524.pdf

Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8. pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.

Sullivan JB, Wingert WA, Norris Jr RL. Sullivan JB, Wingert WA, Norris Jr RL. North American Venomous Reptile Bites. Wilderness Medicine: North American Venomous Reptile Bites. Wilderness Medicine: Management of Wilderness and Environmental EmergenciesManagement of Wilderness and Environmental Emergencies , 1995; 3: 680-709. , 1995; 3: 680-709.

www.toxinfo.org/www.toxinfo.org/antivenomsantivenoms/ indication/BOTHRIECHIS_LATERALIS.html/ indication/BOTHRIECHIS_LATERALIS.html

Wikipedia.orgWikipedia.org