Australian tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) and mexican coral snake (Micruris species) antivenoms prevent death from United States coral snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius) venom in a mouse model.
BACKGROUND
Wyeth-Ayerst has discontinued production of Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius). Currently, there is no other approved coral snake antivenom available in the United States.


METHODS
This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled and blinded determination of the ability of a Mexican Micrurus (coral snake) antivenom and an Australian Notechis (tiger snake) antivenom to prevent lethality from a United States Micrurus fulvius fulvius venom in a mouse model. Venom dosing was based on an LD50 determined for this experiment. Our comparison groups included: (1) M. f. fulvius venom + Micrurus antivenom, (2) M. f. fulvius venom + Notechis antivenom, (3) M. f. fulvius venom + protein control, (4) 0.9% normal saline + protein control, (5) saline + Notechis antivenom, (6) saline + Micrurus antivenom. Venom dose was 5 times the determined LD50. The antivenom amounts were capable of neutralizing 10 times the venom injected (50 times the LD50).


RESULTS
The LD50 of M. f. fulvius venom was determined to be 0.85 mg/kg. All mice in both antivenom test groups were protected from lethality for the entire 24-hour observation period. Six of the 7 mice in the venom test group died, with a survival time of 349 +/- 382 minutes (mean +/- s.d.) after the venom injection. All three groups of control mice survived the entire 24-hour observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
Mexican Micrurus antivenom and Australian Notechis antivenom provide protection from lethality in mice envenomated with a United States M. f. filvius venom.
Wisniewski
Michael S
MS
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health Authority, Denver, Colorado 80230-6800, USA
Hill
Robert E
RE
Havey
Joshua M
JM
Bogdan
Gregory M
GM
Dart
Richard C
RC
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D017815:Elapidae; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States
D000997:Antivenins; D004546:Elapid Venoms