Comparison of Neutralization of Two Experimental Monovalent Antivenoms of Colombia's Bothrops asper from Different Localities

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Colombia does not produce fabotherapic antivenoms, the aim of current study was comparison of the neutralization of Bothrops asper venom from Atlantic and Andean region with 2 experimental monovalent antivenoms. Materials and Methods: The protein of the venom and antivenoms was quantified by absorbance at 280 nm and characterized by SDS-PAGE. The protein profile venoms were performed by RT-HPLC. It was calculated LD50 for the venoms and ED50 for the antivenoms, using Prism-statMate. An immunization scheme of 3 months was conducted in equine using Andean venom. The complete IgG antivenom was produced with caprylic acid, while the fabotherapic F(ab’)2 antivenom with pepsin. Both antivenoms were tested with Andean venom and Atlantic venom. Electrophoresis was conducted to verify the antivenoms by weight. Results: The protein was 11.5 mg/mL to Andean venom and 13.4 mg/mL to Atlantic venom. The SDS-PAGE showed bands of 15-20 kDa for both venoms. The LD50 to Andean venom was 2.8 and 2.3 mg/kg to Atlantic venom. The RT-HPLC showed similar protein fractions at first 40 min in both venoms. The protein for IgG was 9.8 mg/mL, while for F(ab’)2 it was 11.2 mg/mL. The SDS-PAGE showed bands of 130-200 kDa for IgG whyle of 94-150 kDa for F(ab’)2. The ED50 with Atlantic venom was 1.4 mg/mL using IgG and 1.75 mg/mL using F(ab’)2. The ED50 with Andean venom was 1.6 mg/mL using IgG and 1.9 mg/mL using F(ab’)2. Conclusion: Both antivenoms were efficient to neutralize the venom of Andean and Atlantic venom, without significant differences.