Antigenic cross-reactivity and immunogenicity of Bothrops venoms from snakes of the Amazon region

Abstract

Snakebites are still a critical public health problem in developing countries or isolated areas. In Brazil, the North Region has a high distribution coefficient worsened by the significant number of eventually unreported cases, due to difficulties in access to health services, to the natural geographic barriers and the vast territory. In the Rio Negro area, the species Bothrops atrox, Bothrops brazili, Lachesis muta muta and Bothriopsis taeniata are thought to be the major species responsible for snakebites. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the antigenic cross-reactivity and expression of toxins and the immunogenicity of Bothrops venom species of the Amazon and to evaluate the general efficacy of the therapeutic sera. The in vivo assays demonstrated that the defibrinating activity of B. taeniata venom was absent but that the lethal and hemorrhagic properties were more intense than in the B. atrox venom. The results evidence venom variability among the two B. atrox populations from two distinct Amazonian regions, which may reveal a subjacent speciation process. The results point to new aspects that may guide the improvement of anti-Bothropic therapeutic serum.

Exploring the proteomes of the venoms of the Peruvian pit vipers Bothrops atrox, B. barnetti and B. pictus

“…Some of these proteins are of importance to the individual snake in the context of its environment and selective pressures. Furthermore, the species possesses and preserves characteristics that, at some moment during its evolution, are or were essential for survival [48]. Snake venoms contain proteins belonging to several structural classes, such as peptides without enzymatic activity, small neurotoxins, phospholipases A 2 and a number of enzymes.…”

Experimental Bothrops atrox envenomation: Efficacy of antivenom therapy and the combination of Bothrops antivenom with dexamethasone

“…atrox venom [9,10], but other studies have shown that the Bothrops antivenom can neutralize the toxins of this venom [11–14]. All these studies were performed using a prior incubation of the venom with the antivenom, which does not represent the actual situation where the treatment with antivenom follows the envenomation after the onset of the primary venom-induced effects.…”

In vitro comparison of enzymatic effects among Brazilian Bothrops spp. venoms

“…In the present study, we evaluated the PLA 2, proteolytic, and LAAO activities of the venoms of five different Bothrops species: B. jararaca, B. jararacussu, B. moojeni, B. neuwiedi, and B. alternatus. Such enzymatic variations are highly relevant, given that the venom of these species is used in the production of bothropic antivenom in Brazil (Furtado et al, 2010). It is noteworthy that, with the exception of B. neuwiedi, all of the snakes evaluated are on the list of venomous snakes of highest medical significance in the Americas (World Health Organization, 2010).…”

“…However, some researchers consider the groups B. microphtalmus and B. taeniatus to be members of the Bothrocophias and Bothriopsis genera, respectively (Campbell and Lamar, 2004;Gutberlet and Campbell, 2001). The species Bothrops moojeni belongs to the B. atrox group, together with the species Bothrops asper; Bothrops leucurus and Bothrops marajoensis (Furtado et al, 2010).…”

“…The antivenom is prepared by hyper-immunizing healthy horses using the venom of five species: B. jararaca; B. jararacussu; B. alternatus; B. moojeni; and B. neuwiedi (Furtado et al, 2010). Multiple species are used because there are differences among the species regarding the components of the venom (Furtado et al, 2010;Neiva et al, 2009;Nunez et al, 2009). The goal of the present study is to demonstrate the qualitative and quantitative differences among these species in terms of the complexity and diversity of proteinases, PLA 2 s, and LAAOs found in the venom of these five species.…”