Serum kinetics of crotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in mice: evidence for a rapid clearance.

We report on an ELISA for the detection of crotoxin with a detection limit of 1-3 pg/ml of sample. Cross-reactivity with other animal venoms occurred only at concentrations above 1 microgram/ml. Serum kinetics of crotoxin were investigated in BALB/c mice after a single 10 micrograms s.c. dose of venom obtained from Crotalus durissus terrificus. Crotoxin levels were 254 +/- 141 ng/ml serum (X +/- S.E.) 15 min after venom injection, 3.9 +/- 0.5 ng/ml serum at 30 min and undetectable thereafter. The rapid clearance of crotoxin from the serum suggests that the test may be unsuitable for the clinical management of envenomation victims.