Morphological alterations caused by manual venom extraction on the main venom gland of Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus snakes (Serpentes: Viperidae): Long-term implications for antivenom production
Date
2019Author
Rodríguez Abarca, Sylvia
Corrales, Greivin
Chacón, Danilo
Guevara, Maricruz
Esquivel, Carolina
Arroyo, Cynthia
Gómez, Aarón
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The only scientifically validated treatment for snakebite envenomation is the administration of antivenoms. For their production, small quantities of snake venom are injected in animals to elicit a specific antibody response. Snakes are kept in captivity, and their venom is regularly extracted to assure antivenom access. It has already been reported that the pressure exerted upon the venom gland during this extraction can cause tissue damage and fibrosis, leading to a decrease in the venom yield. We described the histopathology of venom glands for B.asper and C. simus snakes used for antivenom production. Based on these reported tissue abnormalities, we quantify the tissue injury by a generated damage-SCORE and fibrosis. A variety of histopathological damages were found such as fibrosis, edema, necrosis, hemorrhage, and formation of anomalous structures, especially in C. simus, which is more prone to suffer severe damage. The level and severity of the damage depend on the frequency and the number of venom extractions. Furthermore, we design an experimental intensive venom extraction scheme with which we could confirm the causality of these effects. In addition to the histopathological damages, the LD50 and biochemical venom composition were also affected giving experimental evidence that the venom extraction not only causes tissue damage but also affects the composition stability and toxicity of the
venom. In order to produce quality and effective antivenoms, an improvement of the management of snake collections could be established, such as rotation groups to assure the quality of the venom yielded. El único tratamiento científicamente validado para el envenenamiento por mordedura de serpiente es la administración de antivenenos. Para su producción, se inyectan pequeñas cantidades de veneno de serpiente en animales para provocar una respuesta de anticuerpos específica. Las serpientes se mantienen en cautiverio y su veneno se extrae regularmente para asegurar el acceso al antídoto. Ya se ha informado que la presión ejercida sobre la glándula del veneno durante esta extracción puede causar daño tisular y fibrosis, lo que lleva a una disminución en la producción de veneno. Describimos la histopatología de las glándulas venenosas de las serpientes B. asper y C. simus utilizadas para la producción de antiveneno. Sobre la base de estas anomalías tisulares informadas, cuantificamos la lesión tisular por un daño-SCORE generado y fibrosis. Se encontraron diversos daños histopatológicos como fibrosis, edema, necrosis, hemorragia y formación de estructuras anómalas, especialmente en C. simus, que es más propenso a sufrir daños graves. El nivel y la gravedad del daño dependen de la frecuencia y la cantidad de extracciones de veneno. Además, diseñamos un esquema experimental de extracción intensiva de veneno con el que pudimos confirmar la causalidad de estos efectos. Además de los daños histopatológicos, la LD50 y la composición del veneno bioquímico también se vieron afectados, lo que proporciona evidencia experimental de que la extracción del veneno no solo causa daño tisular, sino que también afecta la estabilidad de la composición y la toxicidad del veneno. Con el fin de producir antivenenos efectivos y de calidad, se podría establecer una mejora en el manejo de las colecciones de serpientes, como grupos de rotación para asegurar la calidad del veneno producido.
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