title: Species-specific detection of venom antigens from snakes of the Bothrops and Lachesis genera.
abstract: Venom-insoluble adsorbents were employed to absorb out the cross-reacting antibodies from monovalent polyclonal antivenoms. The absorbed antivenoms were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against homologous and heterologous venoms and showed species-specificity throughout a range of venom concentrations. The same absorbed antisera were used in immunoblots under non-reducing conditions as probes to reveal species-specific antigens. In all cases studied this was achieved. The range of mol. wts of specific antigens was between 20,000 and 120,000, approximately. Venoms added to human serum experimentally were specifically detected by their homologous absorbed antivenom antibodies. The work here described could be important in the development of diagnostic assays for envenomings involving snakes from the Bothrops and Lachesis genera.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, U.K.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Heneine
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catty
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000997:Antivenins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D007136:Immunoglobulins