title: Neuromuscular toxicology of the venom of Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti): a histopathological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A bite by Collett's snake, (Pseudechis colletti) can cause rhabdomyolysis in human victims but no signs of neurotoxicity. The pathology of muscle and peripheral nerve has not been described previously. In this study we investigated neuromuscular toxicity in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The venom was inoculated subcutaneously into the anterolateral aspect of one hindlimb of adult rats at a dose replicating that inoculated into an adult human male during an envenoming bite.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The venom caused edema, an increase in muscle wet weight, and the degeneration of 20-35% of the underlying soleus muscle. Muscle fiber regeneration began at 4 days and was complete by 8 weeks. There was little evidence of either post- or presynaptic toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dominant effect of this venom in mammals is myotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Medical Toxicology Centre, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastleupon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Wayne C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scott-Davey
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004546:Elapid Venoms; D009498:Neurotoxins; C026235:Pseudechis venom