Question

Anti-venom injection used for treating snake bite are prepared at
A) IVRI , Bareilly
B) NDRI , kamal
C) Haffkine research institute , Mumbai
D) IARI , New Delhi

Answer 1

Snake bite is a well known occupation hazard amongst farmers, plantation workers, and other outdoor workers and results in much morbidity and mortality throughout the world.

Complete answer:
Snake bite is an occupational hazard and it has become a global issue. Venomous animals cause morbidity and mortality. It is found that more than 5 million people per year are bitten by snakes. The major families of venomous snake are
Elapidae include cobra , king cobra , krait, and coral snake
Viperidae includes vipers
Hydrophiidae which includes the seal snake.
In India about more than 200 species of snakes have been identified but only 52 are poisonous.
The normal function of snake venom is to stop the prey and to assist in the digestion. The toxic components present are classified into four main categories: enzymes, polypeptides, glycoproteins, and compounds of high molecular weight. It can be also classified as protein and non- protein compounds and is generally modified from salivary glands. Snake venoms mainly consist of about 90 percent of water. Snake venoms are complex and contain several compounds with varied-sites of action. Most snake venoms display hemorrhagic activity due to their proteolytic action. Snake venoms have multiple effects on coagulation that is many of them contain serine proteases with thrombin-like activity. They help to cleave fibrinogen which results in hypofibrinogenemia. The thrombin-like enzymes are not generally inhibited by heparin. The snake venoms also contain prothrombin, factor X, and factor V activators.
Snake venoms help to lower blood pressure by various mechanisms.
Snake venom was also used as arrow poison because they are digestible and it could be safely used for the hunting games.
The anti-venom injections in India are prepared at Haffkine research institute, Mumbai.

Hence the correct answer is option C.

Note: Among the variety of enzymes encountered in snake venoms, metalloproteinases are the ones which are considered to represent the key toxins in venom induced in pathogenesis.