5 research outputs found
Comparative study between ligature with thread or metallic clamping by means of laparoscopy with the purpose of experimental biliary obstruction in swines
Effect of phospholipase A2 inhibitors during infection caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis
Biological and molecular properties of yellow venom of the Amazonian coral snake Micrurus surinamensis
Introduction: The coral snake Micrurus surinamensis, which is widely distributed throughout Amazonia, has a neurotoxic venom. It is important to characterize the biological and molecular properties of this venom in order to develop effective antitoxins. Methods: Toxins from the venom of M. surinamensis were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their neurotoxic effects in vivo were evaluated. Results and Conclusions: Most proteins in the venom had masses < 14kDa, low phospholipase A2 activity, and no proteolytic activity. The toxins inhibited the coagulation cascade. The venom had neurotoxic effects in mice, with a median lethal dose upon intravenous administration of 700 µg/kg. Immunogenic studies revealed abundant cross-reactivity of antielapidic serum with 14kDa toxins and limited cross-reactivity with toxins < 10kDa. These results indicate that antielapidic serum against M. surinamensis venom has weak potency (0.35mg/ml) in mice. © 2017, Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. All rights reserved