The immunotherapy was recently developed due to the improvement of pur
ification techniques of antivenoms and results of the research in toxi
cology and pharmacology. The utilisation of highly purified IgG fragme
nts leads to a better tolerance and a higher efficacy. Snake envenomat
ions constitute in Africa, as in many tropical countries, an important
public health problem. The annual incidence of snakebites reaches I m
illion and the annual mortality is about 20,000 deaths. Less than 25%
of the antivenom needs are effectively covered and, probably in most o
f envenomations, used at insufficient doses. The treatment of snakebit
es would be improved by better knowledge on snakebite epidemiology, st
andardisation of treatment and training medical staff, and development
of new financial procedures for antivenom supply. (C) 1998 Published
by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.