An affinity purified ovine antivenom for the treatment of Vipera berus envenoming.
A novel antivenom for treating patients with Vipera berus bite has been developed. Sheep are immunised monthly with relatively small amounts of Vipera berus (common adder) venom and the resultant antisera pooled. The immunoglobulin fraction is precipitated with sodium sulphate then cleaved with papain to produce Fab fragments. Finally, those Fab fragments that are directed specifically against components in the venom are purified by affinity chromatography on columns comprising V. berus venom coupled to cyanogen bromide activated Sepharose 4B. The resultant product is some three times more effective than the non-purified Fab in protecting mice against the lethal venom effects.
Smith
D C
DC
Therapeutic Antibodies Inc., St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K.
Reddi
K R
KR
Laing
G
G
Theakston
R G
RG
Landon
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D051379:Mice; D012756:Sheep; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*
D000997:Antivenins; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014757:Viper Venoms