The Natural Toxins Laboratory of the Foundation Institute for Advanced Studies (IDEA), attached to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MINCyT), is advancing a project to create an in vitro diagnostic kit focused on differentiating the species involved in scorpion envenomation in Venezuela. This initiative, led by researcher Aurora Álvarez and funded by FONACIT, is primarily focusing its efforts on the northern coastal and western regions of the country.
The initiative addresses the country's extensive biodiversity, where scorpions are found in regionally distributed areas with notable variations between states such as Miranda, Zulia, and Bolívar, resulting in distinct symptoms. To solve this problem, the research team is developing a device that functions as a rapid test based on laminar flow immunochromatography methodology.
The procedure involves placing a sample of the patient's serum on a stand so that healthcare personnel can accurately identify the species responsible for the bite. This was explained by the Ministry of Science and Technology in a press release.
"The ultimate goal is to scale this prototype from the Idea Foundation to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mincyt) for its future distribution in hospitals and the national network of dispensaries," the researcher explained regarding this advance for technological sovereignty.
The specialist also indicated that the device represents a significant step forward compared to previous methods. "We have this unique device in the country. While we have been fortunate enough to have other methodologies and identification techniques developed previously, such as ELISA, this new device is designed to allow for effective and specific treatment for each patient."
