title: Effect of gamma irradiation on toxicity and immunogenicity of Androctonus australis hector venom.
abstract: An investigation was made of the radiosensitivity of the toxic and immunological properties of Androctonus australis hector venom. This venom was irradiated with two doses of gamma rays (1 and 2 kGy) from a 60Co source. The results showed that venom toxicity was abolished for the two radiation doses (1 and 2 kGy) with, respectively, 10 and 25 times its initial LD50 value. However, irradiated venoms were immunogenic, and the antibodies elicited by them were able to recognize the native venom by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antisera raised against these toxoids (1 and 2 kGy) had a higher neutralizing capacity and immunoreactivity against all components of native venom than did the antiserum produced against the native venom. The antiserum of rabbits immunized with 2-kGy-irradiated venom was more efficient than 1-kGy-irradiated toxoid antiserum. Indeed, in vivo protection assays showed that the mice immunized with 2-kGy-irradiated venom resisted lethal doses (i.p.) of A. australis hector venom.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire ey Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences Biologiques, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumédienne Bab Ezzouar, Algérie.
authors.forename: Lila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abib
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laraba-Djebari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011817:Rabbits; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D007106:Immune Sera; D012604:Scorpion Venoms