Serum levels and urine detection of Centruroides sculpturatus venom in significantly envenomated patients.
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.
Chase
Peter
P
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. pchase@aemrc.arizona.edu
Boyer-Hassen
Leslie
L
McNally
Jude
J
Vazquez
H L
HL
Theodorou
Andreas A
AA
Walter
Frank Gardner
FG
Alagon
Alejandro
A