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PLoS neglected tropical diseases2015; 9(3); e0003609; doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003609

Effective equine immunization protocol for production of potent poly-specific antisera against Calloselasma rhodostoma, Cryptelytrops albolabris and Daboia siamensis.

Abstract: Snake envenomation has been estimated to affect 1.8 million people annually with about 94,000 deaths mostly in poor tropical countries. Specific antivenoms are the only rational and effective therapy for these cases. Efforts are being made to produce effective, affordable and sufficient antivenoms for these victims. The immunization process, which has rarely been described in detail, is one step that needs to be rigorously studied and improved especially with regard to the production of polyspecific antisera. The polyspecific nature of therapeutic antivenom could obviate the need to identify the culprit snake species. The aim of this study was to produce potent polyspecific antisera against 3 medically important vipers of Thailand and its neighboring countries, namely Cryptelytrops albolabris "White lipped pit viper" (CA), Calleoselasma rhodostoma "Malayan pit viper" (CR), and Daboia siamensis "Russell's viper" (DS). Four horses were immunized with a mixture of the 3 viper venoms using the 'low dose, low volume multi-site' immunization protocol. The antisera showed rapid rise in ELISA titers against the 3 venoms and reached plateau at about the 8th week post-immunization. The in vivo neutralization potency (P) of the antisera against CA, CR and DS venoms was 10.40, 2.42 and 0.76 mg/ml, respectively and was much higher than the minimal potency limits set by Queen Soavabha Memorial Institute (QSMI). The corresponding potency values for the QSMI monospecific antisera against CA, CR and DS venoms were 7.28, 3.12 and 1.50 mg/ml, respectively. The polyspecific antisera also effectively neutralized the procoagulant, hemorrhagic, necrotic and nephrotoxic activities of the viper venoms. This effective immunization protocol should be useful in the production of potent polyspecific antisera against snake venoms, and equine antisera against tetanus, diphtheria or rabies.
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Publication Date: 2015-03-16 PubMed ID: 25774998PubMed Central: PMC4361046DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003609Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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.

The study focuses on producing a powerful antidote that can counteract the venom of three specific types of medically important vipers common in Thailand and surrounding regions. Researchers achieved this by immunizing horses with venom from these snakes and observing effective results.

Key Objectives of Research

  • Rendering venom from specific species harmless using “poly-specific antisera” is a critical research aim. Poly-specific antisera are results of targeted immunization and can neutralize multiple species-specific toxins.
  • This offers a significant advantage during treatment as it eliminates the necessity of identifying the species of snake involved in the envenomation incident.
  • Particular focus is on the venom from three medically important snake species – Cryptelytrops albolabris, Calloselasma rhodostoma, and Daboia siamensis.

Methodology and Process

  • The immunization protocol implemented involved injecting horses with a mixture of venom derived from the three aforementioned vipers.
  • The protocol was described as ‘low dose, low volume multi-site’ – indicating the administration of smaller doses across multiple locations.

Research Results and Findings

  • The scientific team observed a fast increase in ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) titers post-immunization.
  • The presence of these suggests that a robust immune response was indeed triggered by the immunization process.
  • The ‘in vivo’ neutralizing power of the antisera was notably higher than minimal potency limits set by the Queen Soavabha Memorial Institute.
  • Key venom activities, ranging from procoagulant and hemorrhagic to necrotic and nephrotoxic, were effectively disabled by the poly-specific antisera.

Conclusion and Future Applications

  • This comprehensive research indicates significant potential in the production of highly effective anti-venom to combat toxins released by venomous snakes during bites or attacks.
  • The overall success of the immunization protocol suggests its potential implementation in producing equine antisera against other ailments such as tetanus, diphtheria, or rabies.

Cite This Article

APA
Sapsutthipas S, Leong PK, Akesowan S, Pratanaphon R, Tan NH, Ratanabanangkoon K. (2015). Effective equine immunization protocol for production of potent poly-specific antisera against Calloselasma rhodostoma, Cryptelytrops albolabris and Daboia siamensis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 9(3), e0003609. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003609

Publication

PLoS neglected tropical diseases
ISSN: 1935-2735
NlmUniqueID: 101291488
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: e0003609

Researcher Affiliations

Sapsutthipas, Sompong
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Leong, Poh Kuan
  • Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Akesowan, Surasak
  • Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pratanaphon, Ronachai
  • Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-industry, Chiang Mai University, Chaing Mai, Thailand.
Tan, Nget Hong
  • Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ratanabanangkoon, Kavi
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Laboratory of Immunology, Chulabhorn Research Institute and Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Thailand.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antivenins / biosynthesis
  • Cross Reactions
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Horses
  • Immune Sera / biosynthesis
  • Immunization
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Mice
  • Thailand
  • Viper Venoms / immunology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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