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Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology1997; 35(1); 81-90; doi: 10.1016/s0041-0101(96)00077-3

Clinical and laboratory alterations in horses during immunization with snake venoms for the production of polyvalent (Crotalinae) antivenom.

Abstract: Six horses were immunized with the venoms of Bothrops asper, Crotalus durissus durissus and Lachesis muta stenophrys for the production of polyvalent (Crotalinae) antivenom. During the immunization, clinical and laboratory alterations were evaluated in these animals, and the development of humoral immune response was followed. Only moderate local tissue changes (edema, abscesses, fistules and fibrosis) were observed in these animals, whereas no systemic alterations occurred. Regarding laboratory tests, there was a drop in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, together with an increment in total serum protein. Horses developed a moderate leukocytosis, with increments in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes. No significant changes were observed in prothrombin time or platelet count. There were no alterations in serum lactic dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities, whereas minor increments in creatine kinase and alanine aminotransferase activities were observed, together with a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase. All these changes occurred after the injection of 9 mg venom, when sodium alginate was first used as adjuvant. Creatinine levels had a small increment, although no changes were observed in urea levels or in the urea/creatinine ratio. An important individual variability was observed in the humoral immune response, as judged not only by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but also by assessing the neutralization of the indirect hemolytic activity of venoms.
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Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9028011DOI: 10.1016/s0041-0101(96)00077-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study focuses on the reactions of six horses after they were immunized with snake venoms for producing antivenom. The clinical and pathological changes in the horses were assessed along with the development of their immune responses. The findings suggest that the procedure resulted in some changes in their blood chemistry and mild physical changes, but did not produce systemic issues.

Procedure and Objectives

  • The researchers immunized six horses with the venoms of Bothrops asper, Crotalus durissus durissus, and Lachesis muta stenophrys. The aim was to produce a polyvalent (Crotalinae) antivenom.
  • The primary objective of the study was to monitor the clinical and laboratory alterations in these horses over a stable period and track the growth of their immune response.

Clinical Observations and Laboratory Tests

  • From a clinical point of view, the horses exhibited only moderate local tissue changes, including edema, abscesses, fistules, and fibrosis. No systemic alterations were observed.
  • The laboratory tests revealed a drop in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in the horses’ blood. There was also an increase in the total serum protein. These changes indicate that the venom injections did cause adjustments in the horses’ blood composition.

Additional Findings

  • The horses developed moderate leukocytosis, characterized by an increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes, suggesting an immune response.
  • No significant shifts were noticed in the prothrombin time or platelet count. Nor were there alterations in serum lactic dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities. However, there were minor increments in creatine kinase and alanine aminotransferase activities, along with a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase. These findings indicate various metabolic changes that occurred post venom injection when sodium alginate was first used as an adjuvant.
  • Creatinine levels increased slightly, but there were no changes in urea levels or in the urea/creatinine ratio. This signifies potential impact to renal function based on the immunization process.
  • The horses demonstrated significant variability in their humoral immune responses, suggesting individual differences not only in the microwave them, but also in the degree and type of reaction to the venom.

In summary, the immunization of horses with snake venoms for the purpose of producing antivenom leads to moderate clinical alterations and changes in laboratory values. Further research may be needed to fully understand the implications and to optimize the process for antivenom production.

Cite This Article

APA
Angulo Y, Estrada R, Gutiérrez JM. (1997). Clinical and laboratory alterations in horses during immunization with snake venoms for the production of polyvalent (Crotalinae) antivenom. Toxicon, 35(1), 81-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0041-0101(96)00077-3

Publication

Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
ISSN: 0041-0101
NlmUniqueID: 1307333
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Pages: 81-90

Researcher Affiliations

Angulo, Y
  • Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José.
Estrada, R
    Gutiérrez, J M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antibody Formation
      • Antivenins / biosynthesis
      • Blood Cell Count
      • Blood Chemical Analysis
      • Blood Coagulation Tests
      • Crotalid Venoms / adverse effects
      • Crotalid Venoms / immunology
      • Horses
      • Immunization / adverse effects
      • Immunization / veterinary
      • Snake Bites / blood
      • Snake Bites / immunology
      • Snake Bites / physiopathology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 17 times.
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