Study on development ofVipera lebetinasnake antivenom in chicken egg yolk for passive immunization

Abstract

Chicken egg yolk antibodies against Vipera lebetina venom were evaluated for their antivenom potential. White leghorn hens were immunized with detoxified V. lebetina venom (g-irradiated venom). The detoxified venom (200 mg) was mixed with an equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant and was injected intramuscularly into the hens. The antibodies showed high activity (1.6 LD 50 /mL) in egg yolks after 12 d of venom injection. The eggs were collected after 12 days, and the egg yolks were removed and washed with purified water to remove any contamination with egg whites. The purification was performed using a method described by Maya Devi et al., followed by gel filtration (Sephadex G-50). The purity and molecular weight of antivenom antibodies (IgY) were determined using electrophoresis, and the molecular weight was found to be approximately 185 kDa. The potency of IgY was 6 LD 50 /mL (mice), i.e., 1 mL of IgY could neutralize 43.8 mg of standard V. lebetina venom). Our results showed that chicken egg yolk antibodies were effective in neutralizing the lethality and several pharmacological effects of V. lebetina venom and could be used for developing effective antivenom.

Alpha-type phospholipase A2 inhibitors from snake blood

“…These antivenoms neutralize the toxicity and lethality of specific venoms, but their administration is often related with significant clinical side effects [84, 85]. Additionally, the production of antivenoms is associated with high costs related to animal maintenance and also comes across animal welfare concerns, which instigates the search for innovative products for snakebite therapy [82, 86].…”

Comparative study on Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Chicken IgY to Horse IgG in Rabbits

“…IgY has been clinically used as an effective tool for the treatment and control of various infections especially in veterinary medicine (Spillner et al, 2012;Zolfagharian and Dounighi, 2015). Even though, the IgY has been considered as an promising alternative to conventional IgG to some extent, the pharmacokinetics behavior and safety are not well explored in mammals.…”

Study of the Activity of Phospholipase A2 in Venom of the Transcaucasian Macrovipera Lebetina Obtusa

“…These antivenoms neutralize the toxicity and lethality of specific venoms, but their administration is often related with significant clinical side effects [21,22]. Additionally, the production of antivenoms is associated with high costs related to animal maintenance and also comes across animal welfare concerns, which instigates the search for innovative products for snakebite therapy [23,24]. The study of the activity of phospholipase A2 is of great importance in determining the quality of snake venom and the standardization of zootoxin.…”