Table 1.

The strengths and weaknesses of traditional and recombinant antivenom.

Aspect	Traditional Antivenom	Recombinant Antivenom	Reference(s)
Venom Diversity	May effectively neutralize a wide range of snake species and venom types due to the use of whole venoms for immunization.	May struggle to completely neutralize all snake species or venom types due to the specific targeting of venom components or toxins.	[17,27,42,114]
Regulatory Approval	Typically has a more straightforward and well-established regulatory approval process.	May face a more intricate and time-consuming regulatory approval process, potentially causing delays in availability.	[40,53,54]
Stability and Storage	Generally, has a longer shelf life, more stable storage conditions, and consistent dosing.	Could require specific stability and storage conditions, potentially having a shorter shelf life, dose variations, and potential renal elimination.	[77]
Adverse Reactions	Can elicit adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, requiring medical supervision and monitoring.	Carries the potential for adverse reactions, necessitating thorough medical supervision and monitoring.	[16,27,81,115]
Clinical Efficacy and Safety	Well-established clinical efficacy and safety through extensive use and trials.	Clinical efficacy and safety may be less comprehensively established, with uncertainty about long-term effectiveness and safety.	[48,116,117]
Cost	Typically ranges from USD 13 to $1120 per treatment.	Potentially more cost-effective, with estimates of approximately USD 20 to $225 for monovalent and USD 48 to $1354 for polyvalent recombinant antivenoms per treatment.	[51]
Scalability	May be limited by the availability of venom sources and animal immunization.	Offers potential for large-scale production, providing cost-effective solutions for regions with high snakebite incidents.	[52,53]
Production Advancements	Rely on traditional methods and do not integrate modern biotechnological advances.	Benefit from modern biotechnological advancements and targeted toxin identification, potentially enhancing efficacy and reducing adverse reactions.	[35,46,47]