title: Serum levels and urine detection of Centruroides sculpturatus venom in significantly envenomated patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Envenomation by Centruroides sculpturatus can cause systemic signs and symptoms requiring treatment. The toxicokinetics of C. sculpturatus venom has not been described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Venom components were separated for cross-reactivity testing. Serum and urine collected from three patients envenomated by C. sculpturatus had venom levels determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Western blot analysis indicated recognition of C. sculpturatus venom by Alacramyn, an equine F(ab')(2) antivenom developed against Centruroides scorpion venoms, including C. sculpturatus. Serum venom levels in ng/mL with post-envenomation times in minutes (min) were as follows: 85-year-old woman = 8.2 (approximately 150), 2.8 (515), 1.6 (1,200); 14-month-old girl = 29.7 (approximately 50), 5.0 (729); 3-year-old girl = 11.1 (approximately 313), urine venom level of 9.0 (approximately 490).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is sufficient venom cross-antigenicity among different Centruroides species to allow this ELISA technique with Alacramyn to determine serum and urine C. sculpturatus venom concentrations in envenomated patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. pchase@aemrc.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chase
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boyer-Hassen
authors.forename: Jude
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Vazquez
authors.forename: Andreas A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Theodorou
authors.forename: Frank Gardner
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alagon