Effectiveness of Lonomia antivenom in recovery from the coagulopathy induced by Lonomia orientoandensis and Lonomia casanarensis caterpillars in rats

Abstract

In South America, accidental contact with Lepidoptera larvae can produce a diversity of reactions that vary from dermatological problems to severe hemorrhagic syndromes, such as those caused by contact with caterpillars of the genus Lonomia (Saturniidae). Lonomia venom can alter the hemostatic system and lead to renal failure, internal and brain bleeding, and in severe cases, death. The only specific treatment available for these envenomations is the Lonomia Antivenom (LAV) produced by the Butantan Institute, in Brazil, using an extract of Lonomia obliqua scoli as the antigen. LAV has been used to treat exposure to other Lonomia species across South America. However, no experimental studies have been performed to test the efficacy of LAV in neutralizing the venom of species other than L. obliqua found in Southern Brazil. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of LAV in reversing the hemostatic disturbances induced by injecting Lonomia casanarensis (Lca) and Lonomia orientoandensis (Lor) scolus extracts into rats and compared the effects to the case of L. obliqua (Lob) scolus extract-induced envenomation. Lca and Lor caterpillars were collected in Colombia, and some of them were reared to adults for identification. The Minimum Defibrinating Doses (MDD) of Lca and Lor were estimated. Rats were injected (i.d.) with a dose of 3 MDD per rat of each scolus extract and treated (i.v.) with 1.5 mL of LAV or 1.5 mL of saline. Twenty-four hours after the treatment, the fibrinogen levels and platelet counts had recovered to the hemostatic levels in the groups treated with LAV. The groups treated with the saline solution had fibrinogen levels and platelet counts at non-hemostatic levels. Thromboelastometric analyses confirmed these results. In conclusion, the results showed that LAV is effective at neutralizing the envenomation induced by Lca and Lor spine extracts in rats and restoring hemostasis.

Deadly and venomous Lonomia caterpillars are more than the two usual suspects

“…In Colombia alone, three different species were reported as involved in envenomation syndromes: L. descimoni, L. orientocordillera and L. casanarensis . A fourth, L. orientoandensis , has been shown to induce hemorrhagic syndrome in rat [6] and should be considered as a potential health hazard for humans as this widely distributed species occurs in areas where accidents have been notified in both Colombia and Peru. Importantly, species involved in accidents can be endemic with narrow distributions, such as L. casanarensis in the Colombian Llanos region, which emphasizes the need to gain an accurate knowledge of species diversity and distribution to efficiently address envenomation risks and define possible treatments.…”

“…We hypothesize that there may be variation in toxicity accompanying the enormous diversity of the genus, since in Central America, it has been anecdotally documented that contact with Lonomia electra Druce, 1886 does not trigger hemotoxic activity although it does trigger urticaria upon skin contact with the venomous spines (https://entomologytoday.org/2017/03/23/up-close-and-personal-with-venomous-moths/lonomia-electra-skin-irritation/, [37]). Although the widely used treatment, LAV, produced against L. obliqua has proven to be effective for at least two other Lonomia species [6], it would be important to further explore its efficacy against other species. For example, until 2020, accidents in Colombia with species of Lonomia other than L. achelous were successfully treated with the antivenom produced by the Butantan Institute against L. obliqua and in French Guiana the maximum recommended dose (10 vials) of the same antivenom was used [38],[19].…”

Caterpillar Venom: A Health Hazard of the 21st Century

“…Therefore, researchers want to investigate the efficacy and possibility of using the antivenom to treat envenomation by other Lonomia species. Sano-Martins et al (2018) [92] were the first to investigate this and indicated that the Lonomia antivenom can restore the hemostatic disturbances caused by contact with L. orientoandensis and L. casanarensis in Colombia [92]. In Venezuela, the recommended treatment of L. achelous is mainly based on the use of antifibrinolytic medicines or replacement therapy of the whole blood, plasma or cryoprecipitates.…”

Anthelminthic Activity of Assassin Bug Venom against the Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni

“…Only a few studies have reported on the antischistosomal activity of bee, scorpion, frog and snake venoms [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Venoms are injected by animals into the body of their victims using stings, spines or bites [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. These complex fluids include proteolytic enzymes, biogenic amines, neurotoxic peptides, neurotransmitters, and compounds that bind to and disrupt the function of multiple molecular targets in the victim [ 25 ].…”