An overview of Bothrops erythromelas venom

Venom characterization of the Brazilian Pampa snake Bothrops pubescens by top-down and bottom-up proteomics

The envenomation from the Bothrops genus is characterized by systemic and local effects caused by the main toxin families in the venom. In Bothrops pubescens venom we were able to identify 89 protein groups belonging to 13 toxin families with the bottom-up proteomics approach and 40 unique proteoforms belonging to 6 toxin families with the top-down proteomics approach. We also identified multi-proteoform complexes of dimeric L-amino acid oxidase using native top-down mass spectrometry.

Massive acute ischemic stroke after Bothrops spp. envenomation in southwestern Colombia: Case report and literature review

Bothrops spp. envenomation and its relationship with ischemic stroke has complex pathogenesis. Local effects such as edema, pain, redness, necrosis, and systemic manifestations like coagulation disorders, thrombosis, renal failure, and hemorrhage have been reported. Hemorrhagic stroke is a common neurological complication but ischemic stroke is poorly understood. We present here the case of a 50-year-old male with no comorbidities referred from a rural area in southwest Colombia with a Bothrops spp. snakebite on the left hand. On admission, the patient presented with a deterioration of consciousness and required mechanical ventilation assistance. The MRI showed multiple ischemic areas in the bilateral frontaltemporal and occipital regions. Two months later, the patient had a favorable resolution, although central paresis in the III and VI cranial nerves and positive Babinski's sign persisted. As already mentioned, the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke due to snakebite is complex but the procoagulant activity of the venom components, the hypovolemic shock, the endothelial damage, and the thromboinflammation can explain it, and although it rarely occurs, it should be considered as a complication of ophidian accidents caused by Bothrops spp.

Antibiofilm Activity of Acidic Phospholipase Isoform Isolated from Bothrops erythromelas Snake Venom

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is a worldwide public health problem, requiring new therapeutic options. An alternative approach to this problem is the use of animal toxins isolated from snake venom, such as phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂), which have important antimicrobial activities. Bothropserythromelas is one of the snake species in the northeast of Brazil that attracts great medical-scientific interest. Here, we aimed to purify and characterize a PLA₂ from B. erythromelas, searching for heterologous activities against bacterial biofilms. Methods: Venom extraction and quantification were followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in C18 column, matrix-assisted ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, and sequencing by Edman degradation. All experiments were monitored by specific activity using a 4-nitro-3-(octanoyloxy) benzoic acid (4N₃OBA) substrate. In addition, hemolytic tests and antibacterial tests including action against Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcusaureus, and Acinetobacterbaumannii were carried out. Moreover, tests of antibiofilm action against A. baumannii were also performed. Results: PLA₂, after one purification step, presented 31 N-terminal amino acid residues and a molecular weight of 13.6564 Da, with enzymatic activity confirmed in 0.06 µM concentration. Antibacterial activity against S. aureus (IC₅₀ = 30.2 µM) and antibiofilm activity against A. baumannii (IC₅₀ = 1.1 µM) were observed. Conclusions: This is the first time that PLA₂ purified from B. erythromelas venom has appeared as an alternative candidate in studies of new antibacterial medicines.

Thrombotic microangiopathy due to Bothrops erythromelas: a case report in Northeast Brazil

Bothrops erythromelas are serpents that belong to the Viperidae family, which are the main species responsible for human snakebites in Ceara State, Northeast Brazil. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is an uncommon group of disorders characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury (AKI), and occurrence after snakebites have been rarely reported. In this report, we described the case of a 57 year-old-man without comorbidities who was bitten by a Bothrops erythromelas on his right ankle. He presented with pain, edema and local bleeding. Symptomatology and laboratory tests were compatible with the diagnosis of TMA. He received specific antivenom and fluids replacement without any anaphylactic reaction. The conservative treatment was effective and there was no need for red blood cells transfusion or plasmapheresis. The aim of this report was to describe the first case of thrombotic microangiopathy following Bothrops erythromelas envenoming in the Northeast Brazil, providing insights about important mechanistic pathways of Bothrops snakebite-associated TMA and how to change the prognosis of the disease.

Hemorrhagic stroke secondary to Bothrops spp. venom: A case report

The Bothrops spp. venom contain metalloproteinases that contributes to vascular and hemorrhagic effects. This case report describes a 58 years-old patient from the city of Dona Inês, Paraiba, Brazil victim of an ophidian accident by Bothrops spp. The vascular and hemorrhagic effects of venom components have triggered a hemorrhagic stroke. Brazil has about 600 deaths annually due to ophidian accidents. However, as reports have been precarious, the obtaining of epidemiological-clinical data has been affected. This case highlights the importance of prior knowledge of possible neurological and vascular complications in Bothrops spp. venom to increase the effectiveness of an adequate treatment.