title: Venom of Bothrops asper from Mexico and Costa Rica: intraspecific variation and cross-neutralization by antivenoms.
abstract: Bothrops asper is the species that induces the highest incidence of snakebite envenomation in southern Mexico, Central America and parts of northern South America. The intraspecies variability in HPLC profile and toxicological activities between the venoms from specimens collected in Mexico (Veracruz) and Costa Rica (Caribbean and Pacific populations) was investigated, as well as the cross-neutralization by antivenoms manufactured in these countries. Venoms differ in their HPLC profiles and in their toxicity, since venom from Mexican population showed higher lethal and defibrinogenating activities, whereas those from Costa Rica showed higher hemorrhagic and in vitro coagulant activities. In general, antivenoms were more effective in the neutralization of homologous venoms. Overall, both antivenoms effectively neutralized the various toxic effects of venoms from the two populations of B. asper. However, antivenom raised against venom from Costa Rican specimens showed a higher efficacy in the neutralization of defibrinogenating and coagulant activities, thus highlighting immunochemical differences in the toxins responsible for these effects associated with hemostatic disturbances in snakebite envenoming. These observations illustrate how intraspecies venom variation may influence antivenom neutralizing profile.
authors: Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
authors: Alvaro
authors: A
authors: Segura
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Herrera
authors: Mauren
authors: M
authors: Villalta
authors: Mariángela
authors: M
authors: Vargas
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Uscanga-Reynell
authors: Samuel Ponce
authors: SP
authors: de León-Rosales
authors: María Eugenia
authors: ME
authors: Jiménez-Corona
authors: José Francisco
authors: JF
authors: Reta-Mares
authors: José María
authors: JM
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: León
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D017837:Bothrops / Q000276:immunology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003364:Costa Rica; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D003402:Creatine Kinase