Snake venoms from Angola: Intra-specific variations and immunogenicity

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Simoes de Oliveira, PRS (Author) Other; de Franca, FS (Author) Other; Villas Boas, IMV (Author) Other; Teixeira da Rocha, MMT (Author) Other; Sant'Anna, SS (Author) Other; Maria de Lourdes Bastos (Author) FFUP; Tambourgi, DV (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Toxicon

Vol. 148

Pages: 85-94

ISSN: 0041-0101

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-YC1

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.013

Abstract (EN): Snakebite is a public health problem in many countries of world. These accidents are considered a Neglected Tropical Disease and are responsible for a high morbidity and mortality index in the South and Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Angolan snake venoms are poorly investigated and no specific antivenom against them is available in the country. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate biochemical and immunogenic properties of male and female venoms from Naja nigricollis, Bitis arietans and Bids gabonica snakes. These animals were collected during an expedition covering 1350 km of Angola, including the Provinces of Cuanza Sul, Benguela, Huila and Malanje. Results showed that Angolan snake venoms present distinctive immunogenic properties and large intra-specific variations, associated to the gender and the geographic origin of the animals. Thus, it is possible to suggest that for the preparation of a therapeutic antivenom, intra-species variability should be taken into account, in order to obtain an efficient serum to neutralize the toxic effects of the Angolan snake venoms.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10