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de Miranda ALS, Antunes BC, Minozzo JC, Lima SDA, Botelho AFM, Campos MTG, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Soto-Blanco B. The Health Status of Horses Used for at Least Six Complete Cycles of Loxoscelic Antivenom Production. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:589. [PMID: 37888620 PMCID: PMC10610985 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15100589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antivenom production against Loxosceles venom relies on horses being immunized and bled for plasma harvest. One horse can partake in several cycles of antivenom production, which will require years of constant venom and adjuvant inoculation and bleeding. The actual impact on the health of horses that participate in several antivenom-producing cycles is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the general health status of horses that underwent at least six cycles of loxoscelic antivenom production. Seven crossbred horses that had partaken in six to eight complete antivenom-producing cycles were used and established as the immunized group (IG). Under the same handling and general management, eleven horses were established as the control group (CG). The horses were evaluated regarding their general clinical status and had their blood sampled, and an ECG recorded. The IG presented lower RBC and PCV, despite keeping values within inferior limits for the species. Renal function was not impaired, and liver-related enzymes were higher than those in the CG, probably due to liver exertion from immunoglobulin synthesis. ECG showed some abnormalities in the IG, such as atrioventricular block and a wandering atrial pacemaker, corroborated by an increase in CK-MB. The cardiovascular abnormalities were mainly found in the horses that participated in several antivenom-producing cycles. The overall results indicate that these horses had some impairment of their general health status. Once available, some alternative, less toxic antigens should replace the venom for immunization of horses used for antivenom production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Soares de Miranda
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 30123-970, MG, Brazil; (A.L.S.d.M.); (M.T.G.C.)
| | - Bruno Cesar Antunes
- Department of Health of the State of Paraná, Centro de Produção e Pesquisa de Imunobiológicos (CPPI), Rua Piquiri 170, Piraquara 80230-140, PR, Brazil; (B.C.A.); (J.C.M.)
| | - João Carlos Minozzo
- Department of Health of the State of Paraná, Centro de Produção e Pesquisa de Imunobiológicos (CPPI), Rua Piquiri 170, Piraquara 80230-140, PR, Brazil; (B.C.A.); (J.C.M.)
| | - Sabrina de Almeida Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (S.d.A.L.); (C.C.-O.)
| | - Ana Flávia Machado Botelho
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Campus Samambaia, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil;
| | - Marco Túlio Gomes Campos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 30123-970, MG, Brazil; (A.L.S.d.M.); (M.T.G.C.)
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil; (S.d.A.L.); (C.C.-O.)
| | - Benito Soto-Blanco
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 30123-970, MG, Brazil; (A.L.S.d.M.); (M.T.G.C.)
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Clinical Effects of the Immunization Protocol Using Loxosceles Venom in Naïve Horses. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050338. [PMID: 35622586 PMCID: PMC9148105 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bites of brown spiders (Loxosceles spp.) are responsible for dermonecrotic lesions and potentially systemic envenoming that can lead to death. The only effective therapy is the use of the antivenom, usually produced in horses. However, little is known about the consequences of the systematic use of the Loxosceles venom and adjuvants and of the bleedings on antivenom-producing horses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical changes in horses in their first immunization protocol for Loxosceles antivenom production. Eleven healthy horses, never immunized, were evaluated in three different periods: T0 (before immunization); T1 (after their first venom immunization); and T2 (after their first bleeding). Horses were clinically evaluated, sampled for blood, and underwent electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Several suppurated subcutaneous abscesses occurred due to the use of Freund’s adjuvants and thrombophlebitis due to systematic venipunctures for the bleeding procedures. ECG showed arrhythmias in few horses in T2, such as an increase in T and R waves. In summary, the immunization protocol impacted on horses’ health, especially after bleeding for antivenom procurement.
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Oliveira KC, Spencer PJ, Ferreira RS, Nascimento N. New insights into the structural characteristics of irradiated crotamine. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015; 21:14. [PMID: 26029245 PMCID: PMC4449564 DOI: 10.1186/s40409-015-0013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since ionizing radiation has the potential to alter the molecular structure and affect the biological properties of biomolecules, it has been successfully employed to attenuate animal toxins. The present study aimed to characterize the structural modifications on irradiated crotamine, a toxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, using circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Methods A combination of size exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography was used to purify the peptide using crude venom. The pure toxin was then submitted to 2 kGy gamma irradiation doses from a cobalt-60 source. Native and irradiated crotamine were analyzed using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Wavelength was fixed at 295 nm and fluorescence emission scans were collected from 300 to 400 nm. CD and FTIR techniques were used to identify the secondary structure of both samples. DSC analyses were performed at a starting temperature of 20 °C up to a final temperature of 90 °C. AFM provided a 3D profile of the surfaces of both crotamine forms adsorbed on mica. Results Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the quantum yield of the irradiated form decreased. CD spectra of native and irradiated crotamine solutions showed differences between the samples in wavelength, indicating that irradiation induced a transition of a small portion of the random coil regions towards an α-helical conformation. FTIR and CD showed that the native and irradiated crotamine spectra were different with regard to secondary structure. The thermodynamic analysis showed that irradiation caused changes in the calorimetric profile and CD showed that temperature-induced changes also occur in the secondary structure. Finally, AFM showed the possible formation of insoluble aggregates. Conclusions Our results indicate that irradiation leads to progressive changes in the structure of the toxin, which could explain a decrease in myotoxic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Corleto Oliveira
- Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, SP 05508-000 Brazil
| | - Patrick Jack Spencer
- Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, SP 05508-000 Brazil
| | - Rui Seabra Ferreira
- Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Nanci Nascimento
- Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, SP 05508-000 Brazil
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Waghmare A, Salvi N, Deopurkar R, Shenoy P, Sonpetkar J. Evaluation of health status of horses immunized with snake venom and montanide adjuvants, IMS 3012 (nanoparticle), ISA 206 and ISA 35 (emulsion based) during polyvalent snake antivenom production: Hematological and biochemical assessment. Toxicon 2014; 82:83-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Seabra Ferreira Junior R, Pavan Anderlini R, Augusto Brazil Esteves Sant' Anna O, Carvalho Pimenta D, De Oliveira Orsi R, Barraviera B. New nanostructured silica adjuvant (SBA-15) employed to produce antivenom in young sheep using Crotalus durissus terrificus and Apis mellifera venoms detoxified by cobalt-60. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2010; 73:926-933. [PMID: 20563926 DOI: 10.1080/15287391003745069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Equine antivenom is considered the only treatment for animal-generated envenomations, but it is costly. The study aimed to produce Apis mellifera (Africanized honeybee) and Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) antivenoms using nanostructured silica (SBA-15) as adjuvant and cobalt-60 ((60)Co)-detoxified venoms utilizing young sheep. Natural and (60)Co-irradiated venoms were employed in four different hyperimmunization protocols. Thus, 8 groups of 60- to 90-d-old sheep were hyperimmunized, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum titers collected every 14 d were assessed clinically daily, and individual weight were measured, until d 84. Incomplete Freund's (IFA) and nanostructured silica (SBA15) adjuvants were compared. The lethal dose (LD(50)) for both venoms was determined following intraperitoneal (ip) administration to mice. High-performance liquid chromatography on reversed phase (HPLC-RP) was used also to measure the (60)Co irradiation effects on Apis venom. At the end of the study, sheep were killed in a slaughterhouse. Kidneys were histologically analyzed. LD(50) was 5.97 mg/kg Apis and 0.07 mg/kg C.d.t. for native compared to 13.44 mg/kg Apis and 0.35 mg/kg C.d.t. for irradiated venoms. HPLC revealed significant differences in chromatographic profiles between native and irradiated Apis venoms. Native venom plus IFA compared with SBA-15 showed significantly higher antibody titers for both venoms. Apis-irradiated venom plus IFA or SBA-15 displayed similar antibody titers but were significantly lower when compared with native venom plus IFA. Weight gain did not differ significantly among all groups. (60)Co irradiation decreased toxicity and maintained venom immunogenic capacity, while IFA produced higher antibody titers. SBA-15 was able to act as an adjuvant without producing adverse effects. Hyperimmunization did not affect sheep weight gain, which would considerably reduce the cost of antiserum production, as these sheep were still approved for human consumption even after being subjected to hyperimmunization.
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