IgY-based antivenom against Bothrops alternatus: Production and neutralization efficacy

LEIVA, CARLOS LEÓNIDAS; CANGELOSI, ADRIANA; MARICONDA, VIRGINIA; FARACE, MARIANO; GEOGHEGAN, PATRICIA; BRERO, LUISA; FERNÁNDEZ-MIYAKAWA, MARIANO; CHACANA, PABLO

TOXICON

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2019 vol. 163 p. 84 - 92

0041-0101

AbstractAntivenom for the treatment of bothropic snakebite is a priority for public health institutions from Latin America. An alternative to the conventional antivenom production is based on the use of egg yolk antibodies - IgY-technology - by immunizing laying hens. In this study, we produced, characterized and assessed the efficacy of IgY-based antivenoms against B. alternatus venom. Immunochemical studies (reactivity, avidity and antigen recognition pattern) as well as antivenom efficacy assays were performed. After the 3rd immunization, levels of specific IgY reached a maximum that was maintained throughout the observation period, while avidity indexes of the extracts increased after the successive immunizations. Furthermore, IgY against B. alternatus recognized protein complexes of the venom with high (>40 kDa), medium (20-40 kDa) and low (