Comparative functional characterization and in vitro immunological cross-reactivity studies on Daboia russelii and Craspedocephalus malabaricus venom

Abstract

Background Snake venom is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic constituents, including proteins and peptides. Several studies showed that antivenom efficacy differs due to intra- and inter-species venom variation. Methods In the current study, comparative functional characterization of major enzymatic proteins present in Craspedocephalus malabaricus and Daboia russelii venom was investigated through various in vitro and immunological cross-reactivity assays. Results The enzymatic assays revealed that hyaluronidase and phospholipase A2 activities were markedly higher in D. russelii. By contrast, fibrinogenolytic, fibrin clotting and L-amino acid oxidase activities were higher in C. malabaricus venom. ELISA results suggested that all the antivenoms had lower binding potential towards C. malabaricus venom. For D. russelii venom, the endpoint titration value was observed at 1:72 900 for all the antivenoms. In the case of C. malabaricus venom, the endpoint titration value was 1:2700, except for Biological E (1:8100). All these results, along with the avidity assays, indicate the strength of venom–antivenom interactions. Similarly, the western blot results suggest that all the antivenoms showed varied efficacies in binding and detecting the venom antigenic epitopes in both species. Conclusions The results highlight the need for species-specific antivenom to better manage snakebite victims.