title: Humoral immune response of patients bitten by the snake Bothrops erythromelas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Snake envenomings are a health problem in rural areas of tropical and subtropical countries, but little is known regarding the immune response presented by bitten individuals. The IgM production of patients bitten by Bothrops erythromelas snake was analyzed to identify the effectiveness of treatment in this type of envenomation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bothrops erythromelas venom was submitted to electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose sheet, following incubation with patients' sera.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 38 KDa protein was detected before and 24 h after therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result suggests that this protein could be used as a marker for individuals envenomed by Bothrops. erythromelas.
authors.affiliation: Departament of Biology, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil. karlaceatox@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Karla Patricia Oliveira
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Edeneide Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Vanessa Peruhype Magalhães
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Pascoal
authors.forename: Olindo Assis
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Martins-Filho
authors.forename: Valéria Rêgo Alves
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D017837:Bothrops; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D007075:Immunoglobulin M