Optimization of antiscorpion venom production

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The present study was carried out to produce highly efficient antivenom from a small number of telsons in a short time. Venom solution was prepared through maceration of telsons from Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (ED 50 ) in mice was 0.5 ml (95% confidence interval; 0.40-0.58), according to probit analysis. It was concluded that 0.5 ml antivenom neutralized a venom dose 35-fold higher than the venom LD 50 . Thus, highly potent antivenom could be produced from about 238 telsons in 51 days.

A study on the genetic diversity of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807; Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Turkey

“…Lethal scorpions mostly belong to the family Buthidae, among which species of the genera Androctonus, Leiurus, and Mesobuthus are responsible for envenomation in Turkey (7,8). Androctonus crassicauda is the most significant scorpion species in Turkey due to scorpionism and antivenom production (8,9).…”

Evaluation of the neutralizing capacity of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) antivenom against Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1928) venom (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

“…Antivenom was prepared from the same pool of hyperimmune serum obtained from horses immunized against A. crassicauda venom, according to an immunization protocol described by Ozkan et al (27) (27). One dose of RSHC anti-Ac was normalized to neutralize 2 MLD of A. crassicauda venom in rats when tested subcutaneously (1,27).…”

“…One dose of RSHC anti-Ac was normalized to neutralize 2 MLD of A. crassicauda venom in rats when tested subcutaneously (1,27).…”

“…Also known as the "yellow scorpion" (37) L. quinquestriatus is found in a large desert region spanning Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Quatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen (5,6,8,13,21,26,35,41,42,45). Likewise, A. crassicauda is a highly relevant species in the Middle East (11,14,18) and is encountered in Azerbaijan, Armenia, southeast Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Egypt (Sinai Peninsula), Saudi Arabia and Yemen (25,27,33,41,42).…”

“…However, the antivenom's role in the treatment of scorpion stings remains controversial and its effectiveness depends on its potency (4,11,39). In Turkey, scorpion antivenom has been produced at the Refik Saydam Hygiene Center (RSHC) since 1942 by immunizing horses with macerated A. crassicauda telsons (27,41,42). In addition to its efficacy against A. crassicauda envenomations, RSHC anti-Ac has been reported to be useful following the stings of other scorpion species as well (28,41,43).…”