Comparative toxicological characterization of venoms of Cerastes cerastes and Macrovipera mauritanica from Morocco and neutralization by monospecific antivenoms

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the biological and toxicological activities of the Cerastes cerastes and Macrovipera mauritanica venoms as well as their fractions, and the immunological activity of two monospecific experimental antivenins produced in the horse. Our data demonstrated the hemorrhagic, necrotic, edematous, myotoxic, coagulant, proteolytic, hemolytic, and phospholipasic activities of the studied venoms and their toxic fractions. Microscopically, intradermal and muscle sections showed edema, disruption of muscle fibers, and inflammatory infiltrates. Both monospecific antivenoms were effective in neutralizing the activities studied. However, they remained ineffective against edema-forming and clotting activities in range of antivenoms used.

Keywords:

• Venom
• Cerastes cerastes
• Macrovipera mauritanica
• toxicological activities
• monospecific antivenom
• neutralization
• cross reactivity
• immunotherapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Pasteur Institute of Morocco for the financial support.