1
|
Nielsen VG. Ruthenium-based antivenom attenuates Crotalus atrox venom mediated coagulopathy in rabbits. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2024; 35:167-172. [PMID: 38477828 DOI: 10.1097/mbc.0000000000001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Western diamondback rattlesnake ( Crotalus atrox ) is a medically important venomous snake in the Southwestern United States, injuring humans, and their companion animals. The goals of this investigation were to utilize a rabbit model of subcutaneous envenomation to assess Crotalus atrox venom coagulopathy and determine the efficacy of a ruthenium-containing antivenom (RA) in attenuating it. METHODS Sedated New Zealand White rabbits had viscoelastic measurements of whole blood coagulation kinetics obtained from ear artery samples. Crotalus atrox venom (4 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously and changes in coagulation determined over three hours and compared to samples obtained prior to envenomation. Other rabbits had site-directed RA injected 5 min after venom injection. RESULTS A significant decrease in the velocity of clot growth and thrombus strength was observed in animals injected with venom alone. Site-directed administration of RA resulted in no change in coagulation over the 3 h following venom injection. The interaction of antivenom administration and time was significantly different in the cases of clot growth velocity and strength. CONCLUSIONS A novel rabbit model was used to define the toxicodynamic profile of coagulopathy of Crotalus atrox venom and demonstrate the efficacy of RA. Future investigation is planned involving other medically important venoms and RA administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vance G Nielsen
- The Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Peres-Damásio P, Silva-Magalhães R, Silva-Araújo AL, Pereira EHT, Silveira AL, Varella LSDRN, Borges MH, Chavez-Olórtegui C, Paiva ALB, Guerra-Duarte C. Partial characterization of Loxosceles anomala (Mello-Leitão, 1917) venom: A brown spider of potential medical concern. Toxicon 2023; 228:107107. [PMID: 37011787 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The spider's genus Loxosceles (also known as "brown spiders") is one of the few ones of medical importance in Brazil, being Loxosceles anomala a species of common occurrence in the Southeast region. This species is usually smaller in size than the other members of the Loxosceles group. A single human accident involving L. anomala was reported to date and the clinical picture shared similar characteristics with accidents caused by other Loxosceles species. Despite the potential relevance of L. anomalafor loxocelism in Minas Gerais state, its venom activity has never been characterized. In this work, we provide a preliminary characterization of L. anomala venom, considering its most relevant enzymatic activities and its venom immunorecognition by current therapeutic antivenoms. The results showed that L. anomala venom is immunorecognised by therapeutic antivenoms and by anti-phospholipase D antibodies. Its venom also shows enzymatic activities (sphingomyelinase activity, fibrinogenolytic) described for other Loxosceles venoms. This work contributes to a better knowledge on the venom content and activities of synanthropic Loxosceles species that have the potential of causing relevant human accidents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamella Peres-Damásio
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Silva-Magalhães
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Silva-Araújo
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Márcia Helena Borges
- Arachnid Proteomics Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chavez-Olórtegui
- Biochemistry and Immunology Department, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Bittencourt Paiva
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Clara Guerra-Duarte
- Molecular Toxinology Lab, Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation - FUNED, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Computer-Aided Analysis of West Sub-Saharan Africa Snakes Venom towards the Design of Epitope-Based Poly-Specific Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14060418. [PMID: 35737079 PMCID: PMC9229730 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that causes over 100,000 deaths each year. The only effective treatment consists of antivenoms derived from animal sera, but these have been deemed with highly variable potency and are usually inaccessible and too costly for victims. The production of antivenoms by venom-independent techniques, such as the immunization with multi-epitope constructs, could circumvent those drawbacks. Herein, we present a knowledge-based pipeline to prioritize potential epitopes of therapeutic relevance from toxins of medically important snakes in West Sub-Saharan Africa. It is mainly based on sequence conservation and protein structural features. The ultimately selected 41 epitopes originate from 11 out of 16 snake species considered of highest medical importance in the region and 3 out of 10 of those considered as secondary medical importance. Echis ocellatus, responsible for the highest casualties in the area, would be covered by 12 different epitopes. Remarkably, this pipeline is versatile and customizable for the analysis of snake venom sequences from any other region of the world.
Collapse
|
4
|
Gerardo CJ, Silvius E, Schobel S, Eppensteiner JC, McGowan LM, Elster EA, Kirk AD, Limkakeng AT. Association of a Network of Immunologic Response and Clinical Features With the Functional Recovery From Crotalinae Snakebite Envenoming. Front Immunol 2021; 12:628113. [PMID: 33790901 PMCID: PMC8006329 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.628113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immunologic pathways activated during snakebite envenoming (SBE) are poorly described, and their association with recovery is unclear. The immunologic response in SBE could inform a prognostic model to predict recovery. The purpose of this study was to develop pre- and post-antivenom prognostic models comprised of clinical features and immunologic cytokine data that are associated with recovery from SBE. Materials and Methods We performed a prospective cohort study in an academic medical center emergency department. We enrolled consecutive patients with Crotalinae SBE and obtained serum samples based on previously described criteria for the Surgical Critical Care Initiative (SC2i)(ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02182180). We assessed a standard set of clinical variables and measured 35 unique cytokines using Luminex Cytokine 35-Plex Human Panel pre- and post-antivenom administration. The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), a well-validated patient-reported outcome of functional recovery, was assessed at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days and the area under the patient curve (PSFS AUPC) determined. We performed Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) modeling to represent relationships with a diagram composed of nodes and arcs. Each node represents a cytokine or clinical feature and each arc represents a joint-probability distribution (JPD). Results Twenty-eight SBE patients were enrolled. Preliminary results from 24 patients with clinical data, 9 patients with pre-antivenom and 11 patients with post-antivenom cytokine data are presented. The group was mostly female (82%) with a mean age of 38.1 (SD ± 9.8) years. In the pre-antivenom model, the variables most closely associated with the PSFS AUPC are predominantly clinical features. In the post-antivenom model, cytokines are more fully incorporated into the model. The variables most closely associated with the PSFS AUPC are age, antihistamines, white blood cell count (WBC), HGF, CCL5 and VEGF. The most influential variables are age, antihistamines and EGF. Both the pre- and post-antivenom models perform well with AUCs of 0.87 and 0.90 respectively. Discussion Pre- and post-antivenom networks of cytokines and clinical features were associated with functional recovery measured by the PSFS AUPC over 28 days. With additional data, we can identify prognostic models using immunologic and clinical variables to predict recovery from SBE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seth Schobel
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Lauren M McGowan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Eric A Elster
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Allan D Kirk
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Proteomic Investigations of Two Pakistani Naja Snake Venoms Species Unravel the Venom Complexity, Posttranslational Modifications, and Presence of Extracellular Vesicles. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12110669. [PMID: 33105837 PMCID: PMC7690644 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Latest advancement of omics technologies allows in-depth characterization of venom compositions. In the present work we present a proteomic study of two snake venoms of the genus Naja i.e., Naja naja (black cobra) and Naja oxiana (brown cobra) of Pakistani origin. The present study has shown that these snake venoms consist of a highly diversified proteome. Furthermore, the data also revealed variation among closely related species. High throughput mass spectrometric analysis of the venom proteome allowed to identify for the N. naja venom 34 protein families and for the N. oxiana 24 protein families. The comparative evaluation of the two venoms showed that N. naja consists of a more complex venom proteome than N. oxiana venom. Analysis also showed N-terminal acetylation (N-ace) of a few proteins in both venoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study revealing this posttranslational modification in snake venom. N-ace can shed light on the mechanism of regulation of venom proteins inside the venom gland. Furthermore, our data showed the presence of other body proteins, e.g., ankyrin repeats, leucine repeats, zinc finger, cobra serum albumin, transferrin, insulin, deoxyribonuclease-2-alpha, and other regulatory proteins in these venoms. Interestingly, our data identified Ras-GTpase type of proteins, which indicate the presence of extracellular vesicles in the venom. The data can support the production of distinct and specific anti-venoms and also allow a better understanding of the envenomation and mechanism of distribution of toxins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD018726.
Collapse
|
6
|
Levine M, Ruha AM, Wolk B, Caravati M, Brent J, Campleman S, Wax P. When It Comes to Snakebites, Kids Are Little Adults: a Comparison of Adults and Children with Rattlesnake Bites. J Med Toxicol 2020; 16:444-451. [PMID: 32394223 PMCID: PMC7554278 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-020-00776-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rattlesnake envenomations are a significant cause of morbidity in the USA. While pediatric rattlesnake envenomations are relatively common, data comparing adult and pediatric patients with rattlesnake envenomations remain limited. METHODS This multi-center retrospective study used the North American Snakebite Registry (NASBR), a sub-registry of the Toxicology Investigator's Consortium (ToxIC). All cases of rattlesnake envenomations between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, which were entered into the NASBR, were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as treatment and outcome measurements, were compared between adult and pediatric patients. RESULTS A total of 420 unique cases were identified, including 94 pediatric patients. Adult patients were more likely to be male (76% vs. 62%; OR 1.98) and sustain upper extremity envenomations (57% vs. 25%; OR 4.4). After adjusting for bite location, adults were more likely to exhibit edema compared with pediatric patients. After controlling for envenomation location, there was no difference in rates of necrosis between adult and pediatric patients. Adults exhibited early hematologic toxicity less frequently than pediatric patients, but there was no difference in the rates of late hematologic toxicity. There were no differences in the rates of hypotension or intubation. CONCLUSION While adult and pediatric patients have some differences in envenomation characteristics and laboratory parameters, adults and pediatric patients had similar rates of systemic toxicity, severity, length of stay, and late hematologic toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Levine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Anne-Michelle Ruha
- Department of Medical Toxicology, Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Brian Wolk
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Martin Caravati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jeffrey Brent
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - Paul Wax
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tasoulis T, Lee MSY, Ziajko M, Dunstan N, Sumner J, Isbister GK. Activity of two key toxin groups in Australian elapid venoms show a strong correlation to phylogeny but not to diet. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:9. [PMID: 31931699 PMCID: PMC6958663 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-1578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The relative influence of diet and phylogeny on snake venom activity is a poorly understood aspect of snake venom evolution. We measured the activity of two enzyme toxin groups – phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) – in the venom of 39 species of Australian elapids (40% of terrestrial species diversity) and used linear parsimony and BayesTraits to investigate any correlation between enzyme activity and phylogeny or diet. Results PLA2 activity ranged from 0 to 481 nmol/min/mg of venom, and LAAO activity ranged from 0 to 351 nmol/min/mg. Phylogenetic comparative methods, implemented in BayesTraits showed that enzyme activity was strongly correlated with phylogeny, more so for LAAO activity. For example, LAAO activity was absent in both the Vermicella and Pseudonaja/Oxyuranus clade, supporting previously proposed relationships among these disparate taxa. There was no association between broad dietary categories and either enzyme activity. There was strong evidence for faster initial rates of change over evolutionary time for LAAO (delta parameter mean 0.2), but no such pattern in PLA2 (delta parameter mean 0.64). There were some exceptions to the phylogenetic patterns of enzyme activity: different PLA2 activity in the ecologically similar sister-species Denisonia devisi and D. maculata; large inter-specific differences in PLA2 activity in Hoplocephalus and Austrelaps. Conclusions We have shown that phylogeny is a stronger influence on venom enzyme activity than diet for two of the four major enzyme families present in snake venoms. PLA2 and LAAO activities had contrasting evolutionary dynamics with the higher delta value for PLA2 Some species/individuals lacked activity in one protein family suggesting that the loss of single protein family may not incur a significant fitness cost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theo Tasoulis
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2308, Australia
| | - Michael S Y Lee
- Earth Sciences Section, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, S.A, 5000, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, S.A, 5042, Australia
| | - Manon Ziajko
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2308, Australia
| | - Nathan Dunstan
- Venom Supplies, Tanunda, South Australia, 5352, Australia
| | - Joanna Sumner
- Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Carlton, VIC, 5053, Australia
| | - Geoffrey K Isbister
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, 2308, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Grabowsky ER, Mackessy SP. Predator-prey interactions and venom composition in a high elevation lizard specialist, Crotalus pricei (Twin-spotted Rattlesnake). Toxicon 2019; 170:29-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
9
|
Evidence for Snake Venom Plasticity in a Long-Term Study with Individual Captive Bothrops atrox. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11050294. [PMID: 31137619 PMCID: PMC6563259 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11050294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Variability in snake venom composition has been frequently reported and correlated to the adaptability of snakes to environmental conditions. Previous studies report plasticity for the venom phenotype. However, these observations are not conclusive, as the results were based on pooled venoms, which present high individual variability. Here we tested the hypothesis of plasticity by influence of confinement and single diet type in the venom composition of 13 adult specimens of Bothrops atrox snakes, maintained under captivity for more than three years. Individual variability in venom composition was observed in samples extracted just after the capture of the snakes. However, composition was conserved in venoms periodically extracted from nine specimens, which presented low variability restricted to the less abundant components. In a second group, composed of four snakes, drastic changes were observed in the venom samples extracted at different periods, mostly related to snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), the core function toxins of B. atrox venom, which occurred approximately between 400 and 500 days in captivity. These data show plasticity in the venom phenotype during the lifetime of adult snakes maintained under captive conditions. Causes or functional consequences involved in the phenotype modification require further investigations.
Collapse
|