Variability of Venom-Neutralizing Properties of Serum from Snakes of the Colubrid Genus Lampropeltis
Abstract
Venom neutralization properties and protein content of serum from 11 taxa of Lampropeltis were studied. Most serum samples contained 6.5% to 9.5% protein. Lampropeltis g. getulus and L. g. floridana serum showed the broadest spectrum of effective neutralization of venoms from 10 crotaline taxa. Lampropeltis t. triangulum, L. t. hondurensis, L. mexicana greeri, and L. alterna effectively neutralized many of the venoms assayed, but were less efficacious than the other Lampropeltis species tested. Most of the serum samples investigated had variably effective neutralization capacities for venoms with strong hemorrhagic activities (Crotalus atrox, C. adamanteus, C. v. viridis). Sera from L. g. holbrooki and L. g. floridana were particularly effective in neutralizing venoms of Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti and A. contortrix mokasen. Only L. g. getulus, L. g. floridana, and L. ruthveni sera neutralized over 100 LD of C. v. helleri venom per ml. Only four serum samples (L. g. getulus, L. g. floridana, L. calligaster, and L. t. triangulum) were effective against type A C. s. scutulatus venom (contained high concentrations of the potent neurotoxin, Mojave toxin). All Lampropeltis sera assayed had effective neutralization potential for type B C. s. scutulatus venom, which has strong hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities and lacks Mojave toxin. All serum samples assayed were ineffective against venom of the elapid Micrurus f. fulvius. Serum from Elaphe g. guttata effectively neutralized several crotaline venoms, while Rhinocheilus lecontei antonii serum had only marginal neutralization capacity for several venoms
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA269704
Entities
People
- Clement F. Dewitt
- Leonard A. Smith
- Scott A. Weinstein
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases