Contrary to Popular Belief: All Venoms of Snakes and Spiders are Populated with Bacteria

Bacteria are thriving in all venoms of snakes and spiders, according to a new study by researchers in the UK.

The novel discovery is considered ground-breaking since long-held notions suggest that antimicrobial substances of the poison can kill any microbes.

The said conventional knowledge entails the composition of animal venom in the past has not been fully explored until the new research came along.

The findings may allow our further understanding as to why both lethal and nonlethal venoms can either cause health complications to their victims or even death.

For decades, multiple deaths have been recorded in relation to bites and stings from venomous animals worldwide.

The emerging knowledge that bacteria can also reside in toxic liquids can also bring a paradigm shift to treat venomous bites as an infection as well.

Envenomation and Global Cases

(Photo : WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls a venomous bite an envenomation and claimed that deaths from these lethal bites are considered to be rare, especially from the venomous snake bites of rattlesnakes and other species of the legless reptiles.

In the United States alone, the CDC estimates approximately 7,000 and 8,000 people are gnawed by venomous snakes each year.

Amongst the given sample, only five of these individuals die from envenomation.

The organization explains the mortality rate increases depending if the bites resulted in a severe envenomation or not.

In addition, the chances of death also increase if the bitten person did not seek medical care.

The process of envenomation, from acquisition to death, highlights the dangers of venom.

Previous knowledge of this has shown that a venomous bite contracts infection due to the open wound from the bite. However, the new study shows that the bacterial infection comes from the venom itself.

Around 2.7 million envenomation-related injuries occur annually, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; 75% of these victims were believed to fall under venom toxin-damaged tissue and eventual infection and disease due to the open wound, according to Science Daily.

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Debunking the Myth

In the new paper published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum on Monday, May 23, a researcher team lead by the Northumbria University in London debunked the myth that bacteria are unable to survive animal venoms since these hazardous substances contain sterile sources of antimicrobial compounds.

The UK study also proved that open wound infection from envenomation is a direct cause of some bacteria like the Enterococcus faecalis, which can survive the toxic environment of the venom.

By investigating five snake species and two spider species, the researchers found that bacteria can live in the venom glands of several species of spiders and snakes like the black-necked spitting cobras.

The pathogen's survival is also based on its ability to mutate to resist the toxic liquid.

Implications to Medicine

Victims of envenomation are often treated with antivenom and other related remedies against venomous bites and stings.

Since the new study shed light on the pathogenic aspect of envenomation, its researchers point out a new approach toward the infectious side of venoms.

The research was spearheaded by Sterghios Moschos, an associate professor at Northumbria University, and Steve Trim, a venom biologist and founder of the biotechnology company Venomtech.