Chapter I: Introduction: The snakebite problem
1.1. A glimpse of the venomous snakes of India
1.2 The concept of Big Four and non-Big Four medically important venomous snakes of India:
1.3 Medical aspect of snakebite-the snakebite problem
1.3.1 Snakebite in developed countries
1.3.2. Epidemiology of snakebite in Asia
1.3.3 Epidemiology of snakebite in India
1.4 Key issues pertaining to snakebite in India
Chapter II: Evolution of snakes and systematics of Big Four venomous snakes of India
2.1 Evolution of snakes
2.2 Studies comprising genomics, phenomics, and the fossil records show the origin and evolution of snakes
2.3 Studies on genomic regression of claw keratin, taste receptor, and light-associated genes to shed light on the evolutionary origin of snakes
2.4 Skull evolution and ecological origin of snakes
2.5 Systematics of Big Four venomous snakes of India
2.6 The Big Four venomous snakes of India represent advanced group of snakes
2.6.1. Family Elapidae
2.6.1.1. Genus
Bungarus (Kraits)
2.6.1.2. Genus Naja (Cobras)
2.6.2. Family Viperidae
2.6.2.1. Genus Daboia
2.6.2.2. Genus Echis
Chapter III: Snake venom: Composition, evolution, function, and biomedical applications
3.1 Venom gland and venom delivery apparatus in Viperidae and Elapidae family of snakes
3.2 A comprehensive review on venom composition of Big Four venomous snakes of India
3.2.1 Enzymatic toxins of Big Four snake venoms
3.2.2 A Non-enzymatic toxins of Big Four snake venoms
3.2.3 Non-protein components of snake venoms
3.3 Variation in snake venom composition and its impact on pathogenesis of snakebite and antivenom treatment
3.4 Evolution of toxins genes in snake venom
3.4.1 Toxicofera hypothesis
3.4.2 Independent origin hypothesis
3.5. Mechanism of evolution and diversification of venom proteins
3.5.1 Accelerated evolution of venom protein genes
3.5.2 Selection pressure on rapid adaptive evolution
3.5.3 Diet and snake venom evolution
3.6 Biological functions of venom
3.6.1 Prey-specific venom toxicity
3.6.2 Immobilization and pre-digestion of prey
3.6.3. Prey re-localization
3.7. Indian Snake venom proteins- a treasure house of drug prototypes
Chapter IV: Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja)
4.1. Taxonomic classification of Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja)
4.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian spectacled cobra
4.3 Geographical distribution and reproduction of Indian spectacled cobra
4.4 Biochemical composition of Indian spectacled cobra venom
4.5 Biochemical and proteomic analyses have demonstrated the geographic differences in composition of Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) venom
4.6. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Indian spectacled cobra venom toxins
4.7. Species-specific differences in venom composition between two cobras- N. naja and N. kaouthia from the same geographical location of the country
4.8 Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian spectacled cobra envenomation:
Chapter V: Indian common Krait (Bungarus cerelus)
5.1. Taxonomic classification of Indian common krait
5.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian common krait
5.3. Geographical distribution, habitat, behavior, and reproduction of Indian common krait
5.4. Venom composition of Indian common krait
5.6. Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian common krait envenomation
Chapter VI: Indian Russells viper (Daboia russelii)
6.1 Taxonomic classification of Indian Russells viper
6.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian Russells viper
6.3 Geographical distribution, habitat, and reproduction of Indian Russells viper
6.4 Composition of Indian Russells viper venom (RVV)
6.6. Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian Russells viper envenomation
Chapter VII: Indian Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus)
7.1. Systematic classification of Indian Saw-scaled viper
7.2. Distinctive and characteristics features of Indian Saw-scaled viper
7.3 Geographic distribution, habitat, behavior and reproduction of Indian Saw-scaled viper
7.4. Composition of Indian Saw-scaled viper venom
7.6. Pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical features of Indian Saw-scaled viper envenomation
Chapter VIII: Prevention and Treatment of Big Four Snakebite in India
8.1
Prevention of snakebite: some useful strategies
8.2 First aid for snakebite
8.2.1 First aid for snakebite- WHO recommended guidelines:
8.3 Antivenom production in India
8.3.1 Monovalent Vs polyvalent antivenom
8.3.2. Production of F(ab)2 PAV in India
8.3.3. Quality control of commercial antivenom: WHO guidelines
8.3.3.1 Non-clinical laboratory tests
8.3.3.2 Pre-clinical tests on experimental animal models
8.3.3.3. Clinical tests on volunteers
8.4 Diagnosis and clinical treatment of snakebite
8.5 Management of adverse effects of PAV
8.5.1. Early adverse reactions
8.5.2. Endotoxin-mediated pyrogenic reactions
8.5.3. Late serum reactions
8.5.4 Prevention and treatment of adverse serum reactions
8.6 Geographical and species-specific variation in snake venom composition and its impact on antivenom treatment
Bibliography
Index
