Microorganisms Found Living the Venom Gland of Snakes

Microorganism are found in venom glands

Some bacteria have evolved to live in one of the most hostile environments. Imaginatively speaking, these amounts of bacteria are living inside the venom glands of snakes, spiders and scorpions. As well as highlighting how adaptable microorganisms are, the finding also suggests that antibiotics should be used more to help treat snakebites.

People who have been bitten by snakes often experience infections, but this was thought to be an incidental consequence of having an open wound that has been inside the snake’s mouth. The venom itself is highly toxic so was assumed to be sterile.

However, Steven Trim of Venomtech and Sterghios Moschos of Northumbria University, both in the UK, suspected that there might be microbes living in the venom glands. With their colleagues, they checked five snake species, two spiders and two scorpions and found viable bacteria in all. It means doctors treating bites should assume patients are at risk of infection.

It is a striking feat of adaptation. The venom gland is probably the most hostile biological environment other than stomach acid. The team found evidence that the bacteria had adapted to life in such an extreme home, including being richer in genes for protein involved in maintaining their membranes, which might help them to survive by keeping out the venom.