Individual variability of venom from the European adder (Vipera berus berus) from one locality in Eastern Hungary

Abstract

We have revealed intra-population variability among venom samples from several individual European adders (Vipera berus berus) within a defined population in Eastern Hungary. Individual differences in venom pattern were noticed, both gender-specific and age-related, by one-dimensional electrophoresis. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that these individual venoms have different degradation profiles indicating varying protease activity in the specimens from adders of different ages and genders. Some specimens shared a conserved region of substrate degradation, while others had lower or extremely low protease activity. Phospholipase A activity of venoms was similar but not identical. Interspecimen diversity of the venom phospholipase A-spectra (based on the components' molecular masses) was detected by MALDI-TOF MS. The lethal toxicity of venoms (LD) also showed differences among individual snakes. Extracted venom samples had varying neuromuscular paralysing effect on chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparations. The paralysing effect of venom was lost when calcium in the physiological salt solution was replaced by strontium; indicating that the block of twitch responses to nerve stimulation is associated with the activity of a phospholipase-dependent neurotoxin. In contrast to the studied V. b. berus venoms from different geographical regions so far, this is the first V. b. berus population discovered to have predominantly neurotoxic neuromuscular activity. The relevance of varying venom yields is also discussed. This study demonstrates that individual venom variation among V. b. berus living in particular area of Eastern Hungary might contribute to a wider range of clinical manifestations of V. b. berus envenoming than elsewhere in Europe.

Insights into individual variations in nematocyst venoms from the giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai in the Yellow Sea

“…Moreover, the molecular masses of the identified proteases by gelatin zymogram were relatively high at 28–139 kDa, with no zymolytic bands found below 25 kDa. The zymolytic banding pattern of jellyfish venom was absolutely different from that observed in most snake venoms 33,38,39 . Snake venom metalloproteinases exhibit an obvious phenotypic shift from a P-III-rich to P-I-rich type profile during ontogenetic stages from juvenile to adult 40 .…”

Variability in venom composition of European viper subspecies limits the cross-effectiveness of antivenoms

“…berus venom is devoid of neurotoxic activity, yet some V . berus subspecies of eastern Europe have been shown to cause neurological effects on animal models and humans 10 , 30 . This further suggests that not only heterotypic but also intratypic variations in the composition of viper venoms can occur.…”

“…Interestingly, although PLA 2 s have been detected also in V . berus venoms 7 , 9 , 10 , there is general consensus in considering this adder as not neurotoxic 11 . This suggests that the PLA 2 s within V .…”

In Dogs Bitten by the European Adder (Vipera Berus), Do Corticosteroids and Supportive Treatment Improve Clinical Outcome Compared to Supportive Treatment Alone?

“…The studies by Brandeker et al (2015) and Lervik et al (2010) refer to the finding of a negative association between steroid administration and survival in dogs bitten by Vipera palaestinae (Segev et al, 2004). Whilst this finding is interesting, viper venom varies between species and individuals (Malina et al, 2017, White, 2005) and findings from this study are subject to bias due to more severely affected dogs being more likely to be administered steroids. The study by Segev et al (2004) also fails to specify route of corticosteroid administration, dose rates and timing of administration in relation to bite.…”