Clinical and immunological aspects of envenomations by Bothrops snakes: [review]

Accidents caused by snakes, especially in tropical and subtropical countries, still constitute a serious public health problem due to the lack of knowledge of health professionals and the precariousness of health systems in the regions where most accidents occur. Snake venoms contain a range of molecules that may provoke local swelling, pain, renal and respiratory insufficiencies. The study of the effects of each molecule on humans can help the development of complementary therapy. Similarly, the knowledge of clinical aspects of envenomations provides a better identification and implementation of appropriate treatment. In addition, to understand Bothrops envenomations and improve the therapeutic strategy, it is necessary to understand and study the role of important inflammatory mediators, particularly nitric oxide (NO), cytokines and the complement system.

Humoral immune response of patients bitten by the snake Bothrops erythromelas / Resposta imune humoral em pacientes picados pela serpente Bothrops erythromelas

INTRODUCTION: Snake envenomings are a health problem in rural areas of tropical and subtropical countries, but little is known regarding the immune response presented by bitten individuals. The IgM production of patients bitten by Bothrops erythromelas snake was analyzed to identify the effectiveness of treatment in this type of envenomation. METHODS: Bothrops erythromelas venom was submitted to electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose sheet, following incubation with patients' sera. RESULTS: A 38 KDa protein was detected before and 24 h after therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggests that this protein could be used as a marker for individuals envenomed by Bothrops. erythromelas.

INTRODUÇÃO: Envenenamentos ofídicos consistem problema de saúde pública em áreas rurais de países tropicais e subtropicais, mas pouco sabe-se sobre a resposta imune apresentada pelos indivíduos picados, por isso a avaliação da produção de IgM por pacientes picados por Bothrops erythromelas identificando a eficácia do tratamento nesse tipo de envenenamento. MÉTODOS: O veneno de Bothrops erythromelas foi submetido a eletroforese e transferido para nitrocelulose, seguindo incubação com soro de pacientes. RESULTADOS: Foi observada proteína de 38KDa antes e 24 horas após o tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que essa proteína poderia ser utilizada como marcador para indivíduos envenenados pela serpente Bothrops erythromelas.

Alteraciones cardiovasculares inducidas por el veneno de Lachesis muta (Serpientes: Viperidae) y por su enzima fibrinogenolítica / Cardiovascular alterations induced by the venom of Lachesis muta (Serpentes: Viperidae) and for its fibrinogenolytic enzime

Se estudió la actividad fibrinolítica del veneno Lachesis muta stenophyrs y de su enzima fibrinogenolítica. Ratas Wistar cateterizadas e la arteria carótida y vena yugular fueron inoculadas con el veneno crudo o la enzima. Se monitoreó los cambios en la presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca y electrocardiograma. La enzima indujo una mayor reducción del fibrinógeno en el veneno crudo sin causar alteraciones cardiovasculares o histológicas. In vitro el veneno crudo coaguló la sangre mientras que la enzima redujo el fibrinógeno en un 23 por ciento. Los resultados sugieren el uso potencial de la enzima fibrinogenolítica como agente antitrombótico

Use of an ELISA assay to evaluate venom, antivenom, IgG and IgM human antibody levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from patients bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus in Brazil

A sandwich-type ELISA technique for specific and sensitive detection of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom antigens, horse-antivenom, human IgG and IgM antibodies was set up. Sixteen patients, 13 males and 3 females aged between 13 to 63 years (mean 33 ñ 15) bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes were studied. Of the 15 patiens, 6 had previously received anti-Crotalus venom and no seric venom was detected. For the other 9 patients studied, the venom levels ranged from 2 to 108mg/ml according to the severity of each case. Seric antivenom was detected up to 44 days after the bite. IgM human antibody levels against Crotalus venom were higher between 3 and 18 days after specific treatment. IgG human antibody levels against Crotalus venom were detected between 30 and 90 days after envenoming. Venom and antivenom levels in cerebrospinal fluid were not observed 24 h after the bite. This suggests that neither the venom nor the antivenom is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. In addition, when either venom or the antivenom is presented to the immune system cells an immune response is prepared.