The Ophidism Research Program at University of Antioquia

Among the many services and programs at University of Antioquia there is one that is particularly striking because of its relevance.

From the Book of Genesis Satan has been embodied in a serpent, the animal that God cursed above all the livestock and all the wild animals on Earth for teasing Adan and Eve (Genesis 3, 14). However, according to Greek mythology, the snake represented harmony and conflict resolution as stated by Ovid’s tale: "[...] Mercury saw two snakes struggling on Mount Cithaeron so he threw his wand in the middle to separate them, then the snakes entwined around Mercury’s wand so that the top of their bodies shaped a bow with their heads face to face and no sign of enmity [...]. " This passage seems to suggest this is the origin of modern medicine symbol, which consists of two snakes coiled on a stick.

University of Antioquia has strengthened the liaison between health and snake through the Ophidism Research Program which for 25 years has studied the most common poisonous animals in Colombia as well as biochemical and molecular structure of poisons and toxins in order to find alternatives that allow delaying the damage caused by poisons coming from snakes, spiders and scorpions.

In addition to traditional areas, the program focuses in studies that allow demonstrating the scientific efficacy of the use of plant and animal-based products traditionally used by some Colombian communities to treat some side effects of poisoning. This study suggests that about a dozen out of more than 100 species of plants and other natural products evaluated could be potentially helpful for the treatment of poisoning. "We are planning to start pre-clinical trials from plants analyzed in the laboratory in order to evaluate three species which have demonstrated to be effective and could become a real alternative to reduce side effects, prevent damage to vital organs and delay poisoning symptoms until the victim can be treated with an appropriate antiophidic serum” claims biologist Juan Carlos Alarcón, head of the Ophidism Research Program.

While the program does not manufacture antidotes these natural alternatives may help decrease morbidity and mortality rates of such a public health issue as most victims of snake attacks live in rural areas far from any health center. Also, as the supply of antiophidic serum in Colombia depends on availability at agencies such as the National Institute of Health (INS), and companies like Bioclon and Probiol, these studies may lead to efficient primary care options since these accidents increasingly occur because of factors such as the cold wave affecting the country. According to professor Alarcón, in Colombia every two hours a person is bitten by a snake, therefore in 2010 the Colombian Ministry of Public Protection issued a public health alert due to increasing snake attacks across the country.

Ophidism Research Program has a serpentarium located in downtown Medellín which has more than 159 endemic poisonous snakes as well as a vivarium that emulates moist tropical environment which is the home of the Lachesis, one the world’s largest snakes. In addition, the program provides both the community and the business sector with training on issues related to biological features of these species as well as prevention and treatment of accidents involving venomous animals.

The serpentarium is planning to emulate other natural environments such as deserts and premontane forests. Therefore it requires greater financial support that allows improving the quality of life of animal, investing training for both the community and the business sector, and strengthening of research.