Although there are specific serums for different types of snakes, the production process for all of them follows the same pattern. Snake venom is introduced into a horse’s body, which reacts by developing antibodies. And it is these antibodies that, after being removed from the horse, form the serum. The product’s efficiency is great and, contrary to what many people think, a snakebite does not mean an almost certain invitation to death. According to data from the Ministry of Health, of the approximately 20,000 people bitten by venomous snakes each year in Brazil, only 0.4% die. But it’s good not to goof off. The few deaths occur precisely because of the incorrect or late use of the serum or even the lack of it. The incorrect use of the product can be avoided with the help of a specialist’s diagnosis, since the venom of different types of snakes needs to be fought with different types of sonorous. The confusion in this regard is only greater because 90.5% of people bitten in the country involve snakes of the same genus, Bothrops. Snakes such as jararaca, jararacuçu, caiçaca, urutu and cotiara belong to him, all with venoms that can be fought with the same type of serum. Then, in number of bites, appear the rattlesnakes (of the genus Crotalus), the surucucu (Lachesis) and the true corals (Micrurus). These threatening species, however, are a minority in Brazil. Of the 256 types of snakes that exist here, only 70 are venomous, that is, capable of injecting their venom. In the country, serums are made by the Butantan Institute, in São Paulo, by the Ezequiel Dias Foundation, in Minas Gerais, and by the Vital Brazil Institute, in Rio de Janeiro. All production is purchased by the Ministry of Health and offered free of charge in hospitals and health centers throughout Brazil.
1. The first step in producing the serum is extracting the venom from a snake — or from a group of snakes of the same genus, if the objective is a “multipurpose” vaccine. To collect the poison from the glands that secrete the substance, just press them with your hands or apply a small shock. In a short time, the serpent replaces its venom
2. A horse receives poison in small, successive doses, which do not harm its health. He then begins to produce antibodies against the venom. Why are horses used? “It could be any animal, but the horse is docile and has a higher yield in the production of antibodies than other mammals”, says biochemist Hisako Higashi, from the Butantan Institute
3. After ten days, blood samples are taken from the horse until it is verified that there are enough antibodies in the animal’s body — which takes, on average, 15 days. When this occurs, up to 16 liters of blood are collected. Then, the plasma is separated, part of the blood where the antibodies are. The remainder is reintroduced into the animal
4. Blood plasma is purified in reactors and diluted. Then the serum is already ready. When a person is bitten by a venomous snake, he needs to receive the saving substance as soon as possible. In the victim’s organism, the serum’s antibodies mix with the poison, neutralizing its action little by little. In general, the patient recovers after one day of treatment.