Characterization of the coagulotoxic profile of Crotalus durissus terrificus and Crotalus durissus collilineatus snake venoms

• Grant number: 20/08246-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal researcher: Karen de Morais Zani
• Grantee: Luccas Daniel Padueli
• Home Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The venom of venomous animals is composed of a wide range of enzymes, biologically active peptides and other toxins that have a varied toxic effect on the body, including coagulation, fibrinolysis and altered platelet functions. In extreme cases, it can even lead to multiple organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thus demonstrating a need to conduct research and determine what are the mechanisms of action for venoms as well as what are their active and significant toxins for the pharmacological and health industry as a whole. The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that more than 5.4 million accidents per year occur with snakes, with about 2.7 million poisonings, causing 81,000 to 138,000 deaths per year and about three times the number of amputations or other permanent disabilities caused by snake poisonings. According to data from the Ministry of Health, in Brazil, there are about 19,000 to 22,000 snakebites per year, with crotalic accidents having an occurrence rate of about 7.7% with an approximate lethality of 1.9%, the highest in the case of Brazilian snakes. The most effective and most used way to treat poisoning by snakes is the use of antiophidic serum, in which antibodies are able to neutralize the toxic effects of the venom and promote rapid neutralization and blocking of the catalytic sites of its toxic components. The intraspecific variability of the venom of snakes of the Crotalus durissus spp species is also an important point to be detailed for the production of more specific and reactive sera. Taking into account the characteristics exposed here and the seriousness that snake accidents of the genus Crotalus show in Brazil and in the world, there is a need to determine the coagulotoxic profiles of venoms from snakes of this genus so that it is possible to produce better and more specific antivenoms.