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Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology2009; 53(6); 602-608; doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.01.011

Paraspecific neutralization of the venom of African species of cobra by an equine antiserum against Naja melanoleuca: a comparative study.

Abstract: Venoms of snakes belonging to the same Genera tend to share biochemical, toxinological and antigenic characteristics. Accordingly, paraspecific neutralization of venom lethality by experimental antisera and commercial antivenoms has been reported. We studied the spectrum of neutralization of lethality of an experimental monovalent equine antiserum against the strongly neurotoxic African forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) when tested against venoms of most species of African Naja, both neuro and cytotoxic as described by some authors. We report a comparison of the median lethal doses (LD50) of the venoms and the paraspecific median effective doses (ED50) of the antiserum calculated using three methods: Spearman-Kärber and Probit (currently recommended by the World Health Organization), and non-linear regression. An ample--but not complete--spectrum of paraspecific neutralization of lethality was observed against both spitting and non-spitting species of African Naja with a clearly more efficient neutralization of the more potent venoms, the implications of which are discussed. The median lethal and effective doses calculated by the three methods are remarkably consistent and may warrant consideration of non-linear regression methods for the calculation of venom lethality and antivenom potency by venom/antivenom researchers and producers.
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Publication Date: 2009-08-13 PubMed ID: 19673073DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.01.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • 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.

This research article investigates the effectiveness of an experimental antiserum, derived from horses, against the venom of the African forest cobra, and its paraspecific neutralization potential against other African cobra species’ venom. It reports that while the antiserum can neutralize many venom varieties, some remain unaffected, with notably better results against more potent toxins.

Overview of the Research

  • The research primarily investigates the paraspecific neutralization ability of an experimental monovalent equine antiserum. This antiserum is developed against the venom of the African forest cobra, Naja melanoleuca.
  • The scientists examine this antiserum’s performance against venoms from most species of African Naja, characterized by their neurotoxic and cytotoxic attributes.
  • An exploration and comparison regarding the median lethal doses (LD50) of the different venoms and the median effective doses (ED50) of the antiserum are reported in the study.
  • Researches used three statistical methods to calculate these doses, namely the Spearman-Kärber and Probit method (currently recommended by the World Health Organization), as well as non-linear regression.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the antiserum showed a broad, yet incomplete, ability to neutralize the lethality of various venoms from both spitting and non-spitting species of African Naja.
  • The antiserum was observed to neutralize more potent venoms more efficiently.
  • The median lethal and effective doses calculated by the three methods used were largely consistent.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The findings suggest that the antiserum could be a beneficial treatment method, offering protection against a broad range of African Naja venom, especially those with more lethal potential.
  • However, as the antiserum does not neutralize all types of venom, this highlights the need for continued development and refinement of antivenoms to address those venoms that remain unaffected.
  • The consistency observed between the three different calculation methods suggests non-linear regression could be a valid method for venom and antivenom potency calculations. Thus, the researchers recommended its consideration by other scientists and antivenom producers.

Cite This Article

APA
Casasola A, Ramos-Cerrillo B, de Roodt AR, Carbajal Saucedo A, Chippaux JP, Alagón A, Stock RP. (2009). Paraspecific neutralization of the venom of African species of cobra by an equine antiserum against Naja melanoleuca: a comparative study. Toxicon, 53(6), 602-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.01.011

Publication

Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
ISSN: 0041-0101
NlmUniqueID: 1307333
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 602-608

Researcher Affiliations

Casasola, Andrea
  • Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico.
Ramos-Cerrillo, Blanca
    de Roodt, Adolfo R
      Carbajal Saucedo, Alejandro
        Chippaux, Jean-Philippe
          Alagón, Alejandro
            Stock, Roberto P

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Antivenins / immunology
              • Elapid Venoms / immunology
              • Elapidae / immunology
              • Horses
              • Immune Sera / immunology
              • Lethal Dose 50
              • Mice
              • Neutralization Tests
              • Regression Analysis

              Citations

              This article has been cited 15 times.
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