Loxoscelism: Advances and Challenges in the Design of Antibody Fragments with Therapeutic Potential

Karim-Silva, Sabrina; Becker-Finco, Alessandra; Jiacomini, Isabella Gizzi; Boursin, Fanny; Leroy, Arnaud; Noiray, Magali; Moura, Juliana de; Aubrey, Nicolas; Billiald, Philippe; Alvarenga, Larissa M.

doi:10.3390/toxins12040256

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…15 Ongoing studies on monoclonal antibody fragments targeting venom toxins will potentially offer a safe and effective treatment. 16 The clinical manifestations of loxoscelism could be easily mistaken for cellulitis, various types of skin infections, cutaneous anthrax, vasculitis, scorpion sting, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema migrans of Lyme disease or prurigo nodularis. 12,17,18 Even if skin loxoscelism is quite rare, we recommend considering its manifestation in the differential diagnosis of ulcerated skin lesions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncommon differential diagnosis of a breast ulcer: a case study

et al. 2021

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Introduction: Spider bites are common worldwide. Frequently symptoms resolve without any adverse outcome, but in rare cases the bite can cause severe morbidity. The most typical presentation of Mediterranean recluse spider (Loxosceles Rufescens) bite is a dermatonecrotic lesion of the skin (skin loxoscelism). When the only manifestation of a spider bite is an ulcerated skin lesion, clinical suspicion and differential diagnosis strongly depend on its site. We present the case of an ulcerated wound of the breast, diagnosed as a Mediterranean recluse spider bite. Case presentation: A 79-year-old woman presented a 10cm-wide soft tissue ulceration of her left breast. At first, the diagnostic hypothesis of an ulcerated cancer was ruled out. Two family members revealed a recent history of Mediterranean recluse spider bite and the same clinical diagnosis was made for our patient. A wide excision was performed, with complete resolution of symptoms. Discussion: No specific diagnostic criteria for spider bites are available. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Skin loxoscelism could be easily mistaken for cellulitis, various types of skin infections, cutaneous anthrax, vasculitis, scorpion sting, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema migrans of Lyme disease or prurigo nodularis. A thorough anamnestic interview is fundamental to raise the diagnostic hypothesis. When possible, a biopsy is recommended and it is extremely important when the ulcer can mimic a cancer, as is the case in breast tissue. Conclusion: We recommend a wide excision of the wound after failure of conservative treatment, in order to obtain local control and to perform histological examination on a more representative specimen.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncommon differential diagnosis of a breast ulcer: a case study

et al. 2021

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“…However, the use of animals may, in the future, be replaced using in vitro laboratory methods to produce large amounts of neutralizing antibodies. Currently, the most viable strategy for obtaining specific neutralizing antibodies for Loxosceles antivenom is their production via hybridoma cell cultures [64]. Hybridomas are formed by spleen B cells of immunized animals fused to myeloma cells [65].…”

Section: Limitations and Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Health Status of Horses Used for at Least Six Complete Cycles of Loxoscelic Antivenom Production

Miranda,

Antunes,

Minozzo

et al. 2023

Toxins

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Antivenom production against Loxosceles venom relies on horses being immunized and bled for plasma harvest. One horse can partake in several cycles of antivenom production, which will require years of constant venom and adjuvant inoculation and bleeding. The actual impact on the health of horses that participate in several antivenom-producing cycles is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the general health status of horses that underwent at least six cycles of loxoscelic antivenom production. Seven crossbred horses that had partaken in six to eight complete antivenom-producing cycles were used and established as the immunized group (IG). Under the same handling and general management, eleven horses were established as the control group (CG). The horses were evaluated regarding their general clinical status and had their blood sampled, and an ECG recorded. The IG presented lower RBC and PCV, despite keeping values within inferior limits for the species. Renal function was not impaired, and liver-related enzymes were higher than those in the CG, probably due to liver exertion from immunoglobulin synthesis. ECG showed some abnormalities in the IG, such as atrioventricular block and a wandering atrial pacemaker, corroborated by an increase in CK-MB. The cardiovascular abnormalities were mainly found in the horses that participated in several antivenom-producing cycles. The overall results indicate that these horses had some impairment of their general health status. Once available, some alternative, less toxic antigens should replace the venom for immunization of horses used for antivenom production.

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