title: [Hematologic values and serum enzymes in horses inoculated with snake venoms for the production of antivenins in Costa Rica].
abstract: Blood components were studied in six horses immunized with snake venoms for the production of polyvalent antivenom in Costa Rica. No significant changes in hemoglobin or hematocrit throughout the immunization period were observed, whereas a significant increment in total serum proteins occurred in the second half of the immunization process, probably due to an increased synthesis of immunoglobulins. There were no significant changes in creatine kinase, but a slight increment was detected in both transaminases, although they did not exceed normal limits. These findings suggest the absence of relevant tissue damage in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and liver. In agreement with these results, horses did not develop signs of systemic poisoning, presenting only minor alterations at the site of venom injection, such as oedema, abscesses and fistulas. The development of anti-phospholipase A2 antibody response showed a prominent individual variability, as previously described.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003364:Costa Rica; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D012910:Snake Venoms; D000637:Transaminases; D003402:Creatine Kinase
vernacular_title: Valores hematológicos y de enzimas séricas en caballos inoculados con venenos de serpientes para la producción de antivenenos en Costa Rica.