Dose and time dependence of box jellyfish antivenom

Abstract

BackgroundThe effectiveness of the currently available box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) antivenom has been subject of debate for many years. To assess whether the box jellyfish antivenom has the ability to attenuate venom-induced damage at cellular level, the present study analyzed the dose and time dependence of the antivenom in a cell-based assay.MethodsDifferent doses of antivenom were added to venom and subsequently administered to cells and the cell index was measured using xCelligence Technology (ACEA Biosciences). Similarly, antivenom and venom were incubated over different time periods and cell survival measured as stated above. For both experiments, the cell index was plotted as a measure of cell survival against the dose or incubation time and significance was determined with the use of a one-way ANOVA with a LSD post hoc test.ResultsIncreasing concentrations of antivenom significantly augmented cell survival, with a concentration of approximately five times the currently recommended dose for human envenomation, causing the first significant increase in cell survival compared venom alone. Further, cell survival improved with increasing incubation time of venom and antivenom prior to addition to the cells, indicating that box jellyfish antivenom requires approximately 70 minutes to neutralize C. fleckeri venom.ConclusionThe presented results suggest that the currently recommended dose of antivenom requires adjustment, and more importantly, a human trial to test the effects of higher concentrations is also necessary. Further, antivenom has delayed neutralizing effects (i.e. after 70 minutes) which underlines the eminence of immediate and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims suffering from a C. fleckeri venom-induced cardiovascular collapse.

Cloning and Expression of N-CFTX-1 Antigen from Chironex fleckeri in Escherichia coli and Determination of Immunogenicity in Mice

“…To prepare the samples for injection, the same volume of the adjuvant, oil was added in water (final volume of 1 ml) and then the contents were homogeneous. Finally, 200 μl of each prepared specimen containing 20 μg of the desired antigen were injected intravascular and then indirect ELISA was used to determine the antibody titer in the animal serum ( 12 , 13 ).…”

Proceedings of the Toxicology and Poisons Network Australasia (TAPNA) 2021 Scientific Meeting

“…R. Auld 1 , T. Jiranantakan 1,2,7 , D. Roberts 3,4,7 , C. McDonald 5 , C. Harper 6 and J. Brown 1 Alcohol and Other Drugs.…”

“…Endotoxin, i.e. the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer membrane structure of gram-negative bacteria, induces an acute inflammatory response, similar to early septic shock (3). Although the oral route makes LPS poisoning less likely, as LPS does not usually cross the gut membrane, it is possible that the other ingredients within the capsule might have increased permeability and hence systemic toxicity.…”

Changes in predator exposure, but not in diet, induce phenotypic plasticity in scorpion venom

“…A human cardiac cell line (Sciencell) was used as a vertebrate assay, following Schneider [29]. Vertebrate cells were maintained and assays were performed as previously described by Andreosso et al [36] and Chaousis et al [37]. An xCELLigence SP RTCA system (ACEA Biosciences) with an E-plate seeded with 150 ml cardiac media (Sciencell) and 5000 human cardiac cells was incubated overnight at 378C and 5% CO 2 .…”