Diagnosis of snake envenomation using a simple phospholipase A₂ assay

Diagnosis of snake envenomation is challenging but critical for deciding on antivenom use. Phospholipase A₂ enzymes occur commonly in snake venoms and we hypothesized that phospholipase activity detected in human blood post-bite may be indicative of envenomation. Using a simple assay, potentially a bedside test, we detected high phospholipase activity in sera of patients with viper and elapid envenomation compared to minimal activity in non-envenomed patients.