Neutralizing capacity of a new monovalent anti-Bothrops atrox antivenom: Comparison with two commercial antivenoms

Abstract

Three horse-derived antivenoms were tested for their ability to neutralize lethal, hemorrhagic, edema-forming, defibrinating and myotoxic activities induced by the venom of Bothrops atr-ox from Antioquia and Choco (Colombia). The following antivenoms were used: a) polyvalent (crotaline) antivenom produced by Institute Clodomiro Picado (Costa Rica), b) monovalent antibothropic antivenom produced by Institute Nacional de Salud-INS (Bogota), and c) a new monovalent anti-B. atrox antivenom produced with the venom of B. atrox from Antioquia and Choco. The three antivenoms neutralized all toxic activities tested albeit with different potencies. The new monovalent anti-B. atrox antivenom showed the highest neutralizing ability against edema-forming and defibrinating effects of B. atrox venom (41 +/- 2 and 100 +/- 32 mu l antivenom/mg venom, respectively), suggesting that it should be useful in the treatment of B. atrox envenomation in Antioquia and Choco.