Many snake venoms contain secretory phospholipases (sPLA2’s) which break down the surfactants in the lungs. Explain how such venoms would lead to respiratory failure. What sorts of changes in the measurements by a spirometer would you see? Which respiratory disease would this most closely mimic?

Many snake venoms contain secretory phospholipases (sPLA2’s) which break down the surfactants in the lungs. Explain how such venoms would lead to respiratory failure. What sorts of changes in the measurements by a spirometer would you see? Which respiratory disease would this most closely mimic?