Laboratory evaluation of young ovines inoculated with natural or 60co-irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus venom during hyperimmunization process

Abstract

Laboratory profile of young ovines was studied in order to evaluate and compare their antiserum production from natural and Cobalt-60 irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) venoms. The parameters analyzed included complete blood count, and urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, total proteins, albumin and globulin serum measurements. Three groups of six animals each were used. Group 1 (G1) received natural C.d.t. venom; Group 2 (G2) received irradiated C.d.t. venom; and Group 3 (G3) was used as control and did not receive venom, only adjuvants, using seven venom inoculations. During the experimental period, animals were fortnightly weighed. According to clinical and weight evaluation, sheep in post-weaning phase showed no changes in their physiological profiles but had excellent weight gain. The parameters analyzed were not statistically different (p<5%) among the groups tested. The hyperimmunization process was successfully accomplished with the production of specific antibodies against Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Results bring a new possibility of utilizing ovines in the commercial production of anticrotalic serum, which may be used to treat human and animal envenomation. Its production cost may be reduced by subsequent use of hyperimmunized sheep for human consumption

Snake antivenoms: adverse reactions and production technology

“…Several groups have been seeking alternative methods to prepare toxoids through venom detoxification, which would maintain its immunogenicity and minimize the damage to serum-producing animals (28,29). In the processing field, several authors have proposed the use of affinity chromatography to purify only neutralizing antibodies (30) or IgG isotypes with better neutralizing potency, like horse IgG(T) (14,(31)(32)(33)(34).…”

“…For patients known to be sensitive to equine proteins, avoidance of antivenoms prepared in this manner is mandatory and should reduce the incidence of anaphylactic shocks. Some production laboratories are now successfully using other animals like sheep as sources of sera (7,28,39). Recent studies indicate the use of camels for antivenom production, due to lower in vitro complement activation than found in horses and sheep (40,41).…”

Resposta imune e capacidade de neutralização de anticorpos produzidos em ovinos jovens imunizados com veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus nativo e irradiado com Cobalto 60

“…These results confirm data obtained by several authors. 8,20,21,22 Venom neutralizing capacity and potency…”

Universities and neglected diseases: it is not enough to have the knowledge, it must be applied

“…As to antivenom production, it has been standardized for about 100 years and continues to be produced in the same way (2).…”