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Comparative in-vivo toxicity of venoms from South Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae: Hypnale).
- Source :
-
BMC research notes [BMC Res Notes] 2012 Aug 29; Vol. 5, pp. 471. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Aug 29. - Publication Year :
- 2012
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Abstract
- Background: Envenoming by south Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Genus: Hypnale) is a significant health issue in Sri Lanka and in peninsular India. Bites by these snakes frequently lead to local envenoming, coagulopathy and acute renal failure even resulting in death. Recently the genus was revised and the existence of three species viz H. hypnale, H. nepa and H. zara were recognized. There is, however, a paucity of information on the toxicity of the venoms of these species. Hence, we compared the toxic effects of the three Hypnale venoms using BALB/c mice.<br />Findings: Intraperitoneal median lethal doses (LD50) for H. hypnale, H. zara and H. nepa venoms were 1.6, 6.0 and 9.5 μg protein/g respectively. Minimum haemorrhagic doses for venoms of H. hypnale, H. zara and H. nepa were 3.4, 11.0 and 16.6 μg protein/mouse respectively. The minimum necrotic doses for the same venoms were 15.0, 55.1 and 68.2 μg protein/mouse respectively. Severe congestion and petecheal haemorrhages were observed in lungs, kidneys, liver and the alimentary tract. Histopathogical examination of kidneys revealed proximal tubular cell injury and acute tubular necrosis with intact basement membrane indicating possible direct nephrotoxicity. Hypnale venoms caused pulmonary oedema, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, focal neuronal degeneration in brain and extramedullary haemopoiesis in spleen. H. hypnale venom caused all above histopathological alterations at lower doses compared to the other two.<br />Conclusion: Hypnale venoms cause similar pathological changes with marked differences in the severity of the toxic effects in vivo. Therefore, differences in the severity of the clinical manifestations could possibly be seen among bite victims of the three Hypnale species.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Digestive System drug effects
Digestive System pathology
Humans
India
Intracranial Hemorrhages pathology
Kidney drug effects
Kidney pathology
Lethal Dose 50
Liver drug effects
Liver pathology
Lung drug effects
Lung pathology
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Severity of Illness Index
Snake Bites etiology
Species Specificity
Sri Lanka
Viperidae classification
Crotalid Venoms toxicity
Snake Bites pathology
Viperidae physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1756-0500
- Volume :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC research notes
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22932058
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-471