Serum proteins and electrophoretic profile in horses undergoing crotalid venom hyperimmunization.
Abstract: Indisputably, the use of antivenoms for the treatment of snakebite envenoming is beneficial for the victims. However, there are few studies addressing the effect of long-term hyperimmunization in inoculated horses. It is known that the injection of snake venoms and adjuvants leads to local and systemic reactions in horses, but little is known about the response of inflammatory proteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum proteins and the electrophoretic profile of horses undergoing crotalid venom hyperimmunization. Twenty horses were divided into two groups: an inoculated group, comprising ten horses that were already being used for production of a Crotalus sp. antivenom, and a control group, comprising ten animals that had never been used for hyperimmunization. All animals were clinically healthy and without laboratory abnormalities. Total protein and albumin concentrations were measured in serum. Serum globulins were obtained by calculation. Plasma fibrinogen estimates were determined by the heat precipitation method. Serum proteinograms were obtained using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results revealed a significant increase in the concentrations of total serum proteins, globulins, and β-globulins in the inoculated group, exceeding the reference values. There were slight increases in the α-1- and α-2-globulin subfractions in serum-producing horses, with no statistical significance. We also observed that horses used to produce hyperimmune plasma developed hypoalbuminemia, although the decrease in albumin production was not statistically significant. Our findings suggest that the continuous use of horses to produce crotalid antivenom may lead to a chronic inflammatory stimulus, with changes in plasma levels of inflammatory proteins.
©2022 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2022-09-21 PubMed ID: 36196141PubMed Central: PMC9522620DOI: 10.1294/jes.33.31Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the changes in serum proteins and electrophoretic profiles of horses undergoing extended periods of hyperimmunization with crotalid venom. The study establishes that persistently using horses for crotalid antivenom production might predispose them to chronic inflammation, altering their plasma levels of inflammation proteins.
Research Methodology
- The study involved twenty horses divided into two groups – the inoculated group (10 horses) and the control group (10 horses).
- The inoculated group horses were already being used for the production of Crotalus sp. antivenom while the control group horses had never been used for hyperimmunization.
- All horses were clinically healthy and did not display any laboratory abnormalities.
- Concentrations of total protein and albumin were measured in the horses’ serum. Serum globulins were obtained through calculation. Plasma fibrinogen estimates were determined via the heat precipitation method.
- Serum proteinograms were obtained using agarose gel electrophoresis.
Findings
From the results gathered during the study, the researchers noticed several key points:
- The concentrations of total serum proteins, globulins, and β-globulins were significantly higher in the inoculated group, exceeding the reference values.
- There were slight increases in α-1- and α-2-globulin subfractions in serum-producing horses, although this increase was not statistically significant.
- Horses used to produce hyperimmune plasma developed hypoalbuminemia, but the decrement in albumin production was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
The study suggests that continuous use of horses to produce crotalid antivenom results in a chronic inflammatory stimulus. This can cause changes in plasma levels of inflammatory proteins in those horses, which points to the potential physiological impact of recurring hyperimmunization. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications and potential harm to the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Ramos MGDSN, Campos SDE, Strauch MA, Ott LC, Macieira DB, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.
(2022).
Serum proteins and electrophoretic profile in horses undergoing crotalid venom hyperimmunization.
J Equine Sci, 33(3), 31-35.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.33.31 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24.230-340, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24.230-340, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Instituto Vital Brazil, Niterói, 24.430-210, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Universidade de Vassouras, Vassouras, 27.700-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24.230-340, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24.230-340, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24.230-340, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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