Neutralization of different activities of venoms from nine species of Bothrops snakes by Bothrops jararaca antivenom.
Antivenoms are the usual treatment in cases of systemic envenoming by Bothrops snakes. However, the neutralization of each venom component by the antivenom is not well established. Bothrops jararaca antivenom, produced in rabbits, recognizes the venoms of nine different Bothrops species with high ELISA antibody titres. Western blot analysis showed that almost all antigens present on both homologous and heterologous venoms are recognized. Neutralization tests were performed using whole antivenom or its IgG fraction. The antivenom was able to neutralize the haemorrhagic, coagulant and necrotizing activities of the heterologous venoms in the same antivenom/venom proportion as for the homologous venom. Myotoxic activity was only partially neutralized. Neutralization of the proteolytic activity of heterologous venoms required higher amounts of antivenom than for the homologous venom. Phospholipase and oedema-inducing activities were completely neutralized only in the homologous system.
Ferreira
M L
ML
Laboratory of Immunopathology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
Moura-da-Silva
A M
AM
Mota
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D013045:Species Specificity
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010741:Phospholipases A