Cross-Reactivity between Philodryas patagoniensis venom and tetravalent antivenom to Bothrops species

CAROLINA GAY; SILVANA MARUÑAK; JUAN PABLO RODRÍGUEZ; MARÍA ELISA PEICHOTO; LAURA LEIVA; OFELIA ACOSTA

San Luis (Argentina)

Otro; XXXV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental; 2003

Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental

The aim of the present work was to detect if the antibothropic serum is able to neutralize Philodryas patagoniensis venom. This colubrid snake inhabits the northeast region of Argentina and it is considered as not poisonous, but it has caused serious lesions as demonstrated by the literature. According to this, previous studies have demonstrated that its venom exhibits a high hemorrhagic activity. Oucherlony double diffusion showed two immunoprecipitin lines when P. patagoniensis venom was tested with tetravalent antivenom to Bothrops species. Hemorrhagic activity of the colubrid snake venom was assayed in mice by Kondo method. This activity was neutralized when venom was pre-incubated with the antiserum. Results showed that there is cross-reactivity between antigens present in P. patagoniensis venom and antibothropic serum. It has relevance since both, antigens and antibodies, belong to different species.   These preliminary studies let us predict the potential use of the antibothropic serum, which is available in the commerce, for the treatment of Philodryas patagoniensis intoxication.