A new risk in snakebite in southeastern Iran, Bungarus sindanus morphological characterizations, toxicity activity of venom

Snake bite is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries with significant mortality. Due to its climatic and geographical conditions, Iran has diverse range and distribution of various snake species. Recently, there were reports of snake bites with different symptoms from the known species of Iran in the southeast region, Sistan Balochestan province. In the present study, a new snake species was collected in these areas and after examining morphological characteristics and venom extraction, SDS-PAGE profiling, venom HPLC chromatography, and toxicity determination were investigated. By studying the morphological characteristics of the specimens, the Elapid species Bungarus sindanus (Boulenger, ۱۸۹۷) was identified. SDS-PAGE profiles of B. sindanus venom showed multiple bands were observed under ۳۰ kDa and ۶۰–۹۷ kDa. The intravenous median lethal doses (LD۵۰) of B. sindanus was ۰.۲µg/mice (۰.۰۱ µg/g).The present study is the first report on the toxicology and distribution of the Bungarus sindanus snake fauna in the southeastern region of Iran. Considering the different bite symptoms in victims, it emphasizes the need to provide an effective regional antidote against this new risk of snakebite in the region

کلیدواژه ها:

Bungarus sindanus ، morphology ، toxicity ، venom ، Iran