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Can you get vaccinated against venom? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) by GhastfromthePast@sopuli.xyz to c/askscience@lemmy.world

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Most venoms are proteins or other large molecules. Antivenom is prepared by injecting small amounts of the venom into an animal, and when the animal's immune system produces antibodies that target the venom, we extract them and refine them. So antivenom is just antibodies that target venom.

Can we create a vaccine that makes antivenom antibodies inside a person's body, and have their immune system retain memory of the venom? It could be done by microdosing venom, or with compounds that are similar to the venom, but less harmful.

Edit for clarity: Microdosing is not my main point. I'm talking about whether antivenom can operate like a vaccine.
Current route of antivenom: Venom is injected into another animal in small, controlled amounts -> Animal's immune system produces antibodies -> Antibodies are extracted and refined -> Antibodies are used as treatment for a person who was envenomated
Hypothetical vaccine route of antivenom: Compound similar to venom is injected into people like a vaccine -> Person's immune system produces antibodies that target this compound, and will also target venom -> Person retains lasting immunity against venom, similar to immunity against diseases

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[–] Davel23@fedia.io 6 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

A person exposing himself to small amounts of venom over a long period to grant immunity is a trope in many movies and TV shows, but I don't know how well it would work in real life.

[–] GhastfromthePast@sopuli.xyz 19 points 23 hours ago

Tim Friede intentionally exposed himself to snake venom. Antibodies in his blood could counter 13 different elapid venoms. So it's happened at least once.