Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Juan P. et al. Rabbit IgG antibodies against Phospholipase A₂ from Crotalus durissus terrificus neutralize the lethal activity of the venom. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2006, vol.66, n.6, pp.512-516. ISSN 0025-7680.

Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) (South American rattlesnake) venom possesses myotoxic and neurotoxic activities, both of which are also expressed by crotoxin, the principal toxin of this venom.  Crotoxin contains a basic phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and a non toxic acidic protein, crotapotin. We have produced and investigated the ability of IgG antibodies raised in rabbits against PLA₂ to neutralize the lethality of the whole venom.  PLA₂ was isolated by gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-75). Specific antibodies were obtained by subcutaneous and intramuscular inoculation of PLA₂ (700 µg) with Freund adjuvant. Groups of six mice (20 + 2 g) were inoculated with 0.5 ml i.p. of C. d. t. venom (4 µg) or a mixture of venom that had been preincubated with the desired volume of IgG antibodies. Mortality, recorded 24 and 48 h after inoculation, showed that IgG anti-PLA₂ were more effective than anticrotalic serum in neutralizing the lethal activity. These results demonstrate that it could be possible to obtain an anti-venom made by specific antibodies with a high level of protection against the lethal component of C.d.t. venom, and/or the inclusion of these antibodies as a supplement in heterologous anti-venoms.

Keywords : Crotalus durissus terrificus; Phospholipase A₂; Antibodies IgG; Neutralization.

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