Toxicity of crude and detoxifiedTityus serrulatusvenom in anti-venom-producing sheep.
Specific anti-venom used to treat scorpion envenomation is usually obtained from horses after hyperimmunization with crude scorpion venom. However, immunized animals often become ill because of the toxic effects of the immunogens used. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxic and immunogenic activities of crude and detoxifiedTityus serrulatus(Ts) venom in sheep during the production of anti-scorpionic anti-venom. Sheep were categorized into three groups: G1, control, immunized with buffer only; G2, immunized with crudeTsvenom; and G3, immunized with glutaraldehyde-detoxifiedTsvenom. All animals were subjected to clinical exams and supplementary tests. G2 sheep showed mild clinical changes, but the other groups tolerated the immunization program well. Specific antibodies generated in animals immunized with eitherTscrude venom or glutaraldehyde-detoxifiedTsvenom recognized the crudeTsvenom in both assays. To evaluate the lethality neutralization potential of the produced sera, individual serum samples were pre-incubated withTscrude venom, then subcutaneously injected into mice. Efficient immune protection of 56.3% and 43.8% againstTscrude venom was observed in G2 and G3, respectively. Overall, the results of this study support the use of sheep and glutaraldehyde-detoxifiedTsvenom for alternative production of specific anti-venom.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Marina G
MG
Ferreira
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Clara G
CG
Duarte
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Maira S
MS
Oliveira
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Karen L P
KL
Castro
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Maílson S
MS
Teixeira
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Lílian P G
LP
Reis
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
José A
JA
Zambrano
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Evanguedes
E
Kalapothakis
Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA 45662-900, Brazil.
Ana Flávia R M
AF
Michel
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Benito
B
Soto-Blanco
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Carlos
C
Chávez-Olórtegui
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31275-013, Brazil.
Marília M
MM
Melo
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005976:Glutaral / Q000737:chemistry*; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary*; D051379:Mice; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D012605:Scorpions / Q000737:chemistry*; D012756:Sheep
D000997:Antivenins; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D005976:Glutaral
Tityus serrulatus; anti-venom; glutaraldehyde detoxification; scorpion; sheep