Systemic snakebite envenoming causes histone-induced thrombocytopenia

Jeremy J. Schofield
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, U.K.

Snakebites are classified as a priority neglected tropical disease with urgent need for new therapies by the WHO. Schofield presents the presentation aims of cytotoxic histones being released into circulation following cell death in systemic envenoming and thrombocytopenias being caused by circulating histones and not by the venoms directly. Additional to anti-venom strategies, using a potential therapeutic target in reducing hemostatic abnormalities and improving outcomes will be discussed.