African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (7), pp. 189–193, July 2003

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of IgG, Fab, and F(ab')₂ fragments of horse antivenom in the treatment of local symptoms after Cerastes cerastes (Egyptian snake) bite

Salwa S. Abdel Latif^1*, Soheir Wanas¹, George Abdel Malak¹ and Madiha H. Helmy²

¹Egyptian Organization for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA), 51 Wezaret  Elzeraa  St., Agouza, Giza

²Biochemistry Research Institute, Alexandria university, 165 ElHoria Road, El-Hadra region , Egypt.

*Corresponding author: E-mail: salwaseddik@hotmail.com, Fax: (+202) 3369872-7483187-7609177

Accepted 18 June 2003  

The ability of horse antivenoms, consisting of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and its fragments F(ab')₂ and Fab were comparatively studied in mice to neutralize several effects of Cerastes cerastes venom.  The three antivenoms were produced from the same batch of hyperimmune horse plasma. Neutralization was only partial when antivenins were administered intravenously at various time intervals after envenomation. No significant differences were observed among IgG, Fab, and F(ab')₂ antivenoms concerning neutralization of hemorrhagic effects. Fab fragments were slightly more effective in neutralizing edema while IgG and F(ab')₂ antivenoms  were better in neutralizing myonecrosis in experiments involving independent injection of venom and antivenom.Thus these results disagree with the theory that "Fab " fragments are more effective than whole IgG and F(ab')₂ in the neutralization of local symptoms accompanying  C. Cerastes venom.

Key words: Cerastes cerastes, Egyptian snake, IgG, F(ab')₂, Fab.