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Microbiol Spectr 2022 May 23:e0240821. Epub 2022 May 23.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom.

Animal venoms are considered sterile sources of antimicrobial compounds with strong membrane-disrupting activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, venomous bite wound infections are common in developing nations. Investigating the envenomation organ and venom microbiota of five snake and two spider species, we observed venom community structures that depend on the host venomous animal species and evidenced recovery of viable microorganisms from black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis) and Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) venoms. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022 02;119(5)

Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;

The King Baboon spider, , is a burrowing African tarantula. Its impressive size and appealing coloration are tempered by reports describing severe localized pain, swelling, itchiness, and muscle cramping after accidental envenomation. Hyperalgesia is the most prominent symptom after bites from , but the molecular basis by which the venom induces pain is unknown. Read More