Snake Venom Detection Test Kit

Principles of use
· CLS snake venom detection test kit (SVDK)
· Developed specially for snakes bites in Australia
· Can detect as low as nanogram quantities of venom
· Based on enzyme linked immunosolvent assay (ELISA)
o Wells coated with specific antibodies for the venom antigens
o If venom is present, it is bound to the corresponding well
o Further reactants added indicate the positive wells by producing a blue colour
· 8 Wells
o 5 Wells for 5 common snake venoms
o 1 negative control (must not change colour)
o 1 positive control (must change colour)
o 1 blank well
· Which antivenom to use
o Well 1 positive – Tiger snake antivenom
o Well 2 positive – Brown snake antivenom
o Well 3 positive – Black or Tiger snake antivenom
o Well 4 positive – Black Adder antivenom
o Well 5 positive – Taipian or polyvalent antivenom
o Only well 7 positive – No venom detected
o No well positive or well 7 not positive – Test kit failure


Samples to test on
· Urine
· Blood – unreliable due to high false positive results, resultant from unspecific binding with plasma proteins
· Bite site swab – importance of not washing site
· Swab from fang of dead snake – beware of finger pricks
· Affected bandage or clothing segment


Further notes
· Positive test result does not mean antivenom is required in the absence of clinical signs
· Conversely, negative result doesn’t mean there is no envenomation
· After sufficient antivenom is given, test kit should report negative