Professor Eliane Candiani Arantes leads the Animal Toxins Lab at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, part of the University of São Paulo (USP). Her team investigates toxins extracted from the venom of the Crotalus durissus terrificus snake and the Tityus serrulatus scorpion. Additionally, they explore the poorly understood venoms of scorpions native to the Amazon region.
Dr. Manuela Berto Pucca leads the Immunology and Toxinology Lab at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences within São Paulo State University (UNESP). Her work centers on venomous creatures, exploring the intricate nature of their venoms, as well as advancing the creation of next-generation antivenom therapies.
They are joint authors of a newly released publication.
Frontiers in Public Health
article
This edition highlights the increasing incidence of scorpion sting cases overwhelming Brazil’s healthcare infrastructure. In this new addition of the Frontier Scientist series, they discuss their studies and professional journeys.
What inspired you to become a researcher?
Arantes: Learning and exchanging information has always been enjoyable for me, and engaging in research harmoniously combines both pursuits. Exploring venomous creatures is thrilling and ever-evolving, consistently offering fresh difficulties and producing insights that can enhance the lives of numerous individuals.
During my years from 12 to 15, I was fortunate enough to have a science instructor who went beyond merely describing the natural world; she unveiled its enchantment. Each lesson seemed like entering an undiscovered cosmos, with each query capable of unlocking new pathways. It was then that I realized learning about science wasn’t sufficient for me—I aspired to experience it firsthand. To me, science transforms a basic “why?” into a force potent enough to reshape destinies.
In our latest initiatives, my team has concentrated on elucidating the expressions of snake venoms possessing therapeutic qualities or impacts on blood clotting mechanisms, along with scorpion venom components that demonstrate immunosuppressant activity. Furthermore, we aim to enhance their prospects for development into viable medicinal treatments.
At UNESP, inside the Immunology and Toxinology Laboratory, we investigate an incredible variety of venomous creatures such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, and specific kinds of frogs. Although these substances rank among the deadliest in existence, they hold potential as potent therapeutic agents once thoroughly examined.
Are there any common misconceptions about this area of research? How would you address them?
Pucca: Indeed, one common belief is that venomous creatures are our adversaries. This isn’t true; they typically respond in self-defense rather than attack aggressively. Such organisms form an integral part of nature and serve crucial ecological functions, such as regulating pests and sustaining biological diversity. A further misunderstanding is the notion that encounters with these venoms are uncommon or confined solely to wilderness areas. Actually, in places like Brazil, incidents involving snake bites and scorpion stings represent notable public health challenges that frequently go unacknowledged in mainstream discussions.
Arantes: To challenge these misconceptions, we need to bring science closer to society—through education, dialog, and respect for both scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom. Understanding that these animals are not threats, but part of the ecosystem we all share, is a crucial first step toward coexistence—and better public health.
What would you like people to know if they get stung by a scorpion?
Arantes: Firstly, remain composed yet respond swiftly. Should anyone get stung, do not delay waiting for symptoms to intensify; proceed directly to the closest medical center right away. Within Brazil, the SUS offers complimentary treatment for scorpion sting victims, with antivenom (soro antiescorpiônico) accessible at designated hospitals and urgent care facilities across the nation. This antidote proves particularly efficacious when applied promptly, notably in instances classified as moderate to critical.
At home, avoid applying tourniquets, slicing open the bite area, or attempting to extract the venom by sucking. Such old-fashioned techniques can be useless and even dangerous. Instead, wash the affected region with soap and water, use a cold pack to reduce swelling, and seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, focus on preventing scorpion encounters since these creatures flourish in messy, damp settings. Maintain cleanliness around your space, block off wall fissures, install drain covers, and inspect footwear, towels, and clothing prior to usage.
Addressing the causes of increased incidents is far from simple, but are there any realistic and achievable solutions?
Pucca: Let’s begin with the fundamentals. In some locations, I’ve operated where encountering scorpions is an everyday concern, particularly in underprivileged and densely populated regions. Communities coexist alongside Tityus serrulatus, often without understanding just how swiftly these creatures propagate—one scorpion has the potential to initiate an entire population boom. However, there are measures we can take. Basic steps like clearing away clutter, enhancing garbage disposal systems, and blocking off gaps in walls and drainage channels can make a significant difference.
Arantes emphasizes the importance of increased educational efforts. It’s crucial for individuals to understand self-protection methods, recognize warning signs, and know the appropriate steps should they get stung. The key point is that prevention can be achieved if we treat this matter with due seriousness. Additionally, he stresses the necessity of reinforcing our public healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote and under-resourced regions.
Which areas of research would you be interested to see explored in the coming years?
Arantes points out that one of the critical requirements is updating the process for producing antivenom. Currently, the majority of antivenoms are created using a technique that dates back more than 100 years; this involves injecting snake venom into horses and subsequently drawing and refining antibodies from their blood. While these treatments have the potential to be life-saving, they may lead to severe adverse reactions and pose challenges when distributing them to isolated or underprivileged regions.
Pucca: There is an urgent necessity to allocate resources towards developing advanced antivenom technologies, particularly focusing on fully human antibodies. Such innovations could lead to safer, more efficient, and widely available remedies. Additionally, our efforts extend beyond merely treating conditions; we are also exploring the healing applications of venoms themselves. Over millennia, nature has refined these compounds—now, we are only starting to grasp their potential as agents for recovery rather than solely causing damage.
What do you believe makes your study significant?
Arantes: Our team’s investigations enhance therapies for venomous bites from snakes and scorpions, broaden our knowledge of molecules that have potential medical benefits, and alter these compounds to better suit medicinal applications.
Pucca: Our efforts extend well past the laboratory. While working in Brazil’s Amazon region, I have had the chance to engage closely with Indigenous groups such as the Yanomami tribe. Here, where medical services are scarce, an injury from a venomous creature can turn deadly without prompt and proper treatment. This drives our mission to create advanced antivenoms—ones that are safer, more potent, and readily available to those most affected. By bridging this healthcare divide, we aren’t just expanding scientific understanding; we’re paying tribute to individuals whose struggles were often overlooked.
In what ways has adopting an open science approach enhanced the scope and influence of your work?
Pucca: The advent of open science has revolutionized how my research engages with society. Through freely sharing our findings, outcomes, and papers, we can now connect with experts beyond academia—such as healthcare providers, policy makers, and those most impacted by the issues studied.
Arantes: This has increased the prominence of overlooked topics, particularly in Brazil. By offering open access, scholars from less privileged organizations—who might otherwise lack entry to subscription-based publications—are able to cooperate, expand upon our research, and implement local changes. Such an effect is significant.
More information:
Manuela B. Pucca and colleagues highlight in their article “Scorpions Are Taking Over: The Silent and Escalating Public Health Crisis in Brazil”
Frontiers in Public Health
(2025).
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1573767
Provided by Frontiers
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