ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2003
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2003 International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Efficacy of IgG, Fab, and F(ab')2 fragments of horse antivenom in the treatment of local symptoms after Cerastes cerastes (Egyptian snake) bite
Salwa S. Abdel Latif1*, Soheir Wanas1, George Abdel Malak1 and Madiha H. Helmy2
1Egyptian Organization for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA), 51 Wezaret Elzeraa St., Agouza ,Giza
2Biochemistry Research Institute, Alexandria university, 165 ElHoria Road, El-Hadra region , Egypt.
Accepted 18 June 2003
Abstract
The ability of horse antivenoms, consisting of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and its fragments F(ab')2 and Fab were comparatively studied in mice to neutralize several effects of Cerastes cerastes venom. The three antivenoms were produced from the same batch of hyperimmune horse plasma. Neutralization was only partial when antivenins were administered intravenously at various time intervals after envenomation. No significant differences were observed among IgG, Fab, and F(ab')2 antivenoms concerning neutralization of hemorrhagic effects. Fab fragments were slightly more effective in neutralizing edema while IgG and F(ab')2 antivenoms were better in neutralizing myonecrosis in experiments involving independent injection of venom and antivenom.Thus these results disagree with the theory that "Fab " fragments are more effective than whole IgG and F(ab')2 in the neutralization of local symptoms accompanying C. Cerastes venom.
Key words: Cerastes cerastes, Egyptian snake, IgG, F(ab')2, Fab.