A clinical study conducted in Nepal at three medical facilities demonstrated that a simple DNA swab on fang marks left on people bitten by snakes correctly identified the species of snake 100 percent of the time. The study, presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s (ASTMH) annual meeting, determined that if the snake’s DNA could be isolated from the bite wound, the test can successfully determine the species every time.
The study collected DNA samples from 194 snake bite victims, with 87 bites from venomous snakes. The spectacled cobra was responsible for 42 bites, while the common krait accounted for 22. DNA was successfully extracted from one in four bite wounds; wounds tampered with or treated with home remedies were excluded from the study. Researchers noted behavioral patterns: the common krait bites more often at night and indoors while people are asleep. Cobra and pit viper bites typically caused swelling at the bite site. The DNA swab technique also identified non-venomous snake bites accurately. According to Dr. François Chappuis, chief of tropical and humanitarian medicine at Geneva University Hospitals, these findings could aid regions with frequent snake bites and accelerate more effective bedside diagnostics. The researchers are developing a rapid diagnostic test, similar to a pregnancy test kit, to rule out certain venomous snakes. This test aims to help physicians provide optimal treatment quickly, without waiting for clinical signs of envenomation, which is the current standard.
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