[Evaluation of intravenous immunotherapy with purified F(ab’)2 fragments (Viperfav)].

The study focuses on evaluating the efficiency of Viperfav, an immunotherapy treatment for venomous viper bites. The research illustrates that the application of Viperfav greatly decreases the severity of complications and the duration of hospital stays in comparison to conventional symptomatic treatments.

Research Methodology

• A total of 207 cases of viper bites from two French poison centers were studied retrospectively, including 119 severe cases (Grade II and III).
• The data collected spanned from 1992 to 1997 and included cases in both adults and children.
• Before starting treatment, clinical grading and early biological severity criteria were gathered to create a baseline for evaluation.
• After the treatment, the two groups (one treated with Viperfav and the other with conventional symptomatic treatments) were compared, primarily focusing on the level and frequency of complications and sequelae, duration of stay in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and total hospital stay.
• The aim of the research was to draw comparisons between the two different methods of treatments and identify the efficiency of Viperfav.

Research Findings

• The research found no significant differences between the two groups prior to treatment, suggesting a balanced distribution of patient conditions.
• Post-treatment, the Viperfav group showed a considerably lower incidence of complications (4% compared to 21% in the symptomatic treatment group) and sequelae (0% compared to 14%).
• Furthermore, patients from the symptomatic treatment group required ICU stay for more than three days in 28% of cases, while no such instance was recorded in the Viperfav group.
• The total duration of hospital stay was significantly lower in the Viperfav group compared to the symptomatic treatment group (3.3 days vs 8.7 days).

Conclusion

• The study concludes that Viperfav immunotherapy is effective and safe; it quickly counters venom toxicity and significantly improves the prognosis of viper bite patients.
• The collected clinical and biological prognosis factors serve as valuable predictors of moderate to severe envenomings, assisting healthcare providers with early prescription of Viperfav antivenom.