Antigenic cross-reactivity of venoms from medically important Loxosceles (Araneae) species in Brazil

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 113
• Main Authors: Barbaro, K C, Eickstedt, V R, Mota, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.1994
• Subjects: Animals; Antibody Specificity; Antivenins - immunology; Blotting, Western; Brazil; Cross Reactions - immunology; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Mice; Neutralization Tests; Rabbits; Spider Venoms - analysis; Spider Venoms - immunology; Brazil
• ISSN: 0041-0101
• DOI: 10.1016/0041-0101(94)90027-2

Antigenic cross-reactivity between the components of venoms from three spiders of the genus Loxosceles, L. gaucho, L. laeta and L. intermedia, was studied. Species-specific antisera were prepared by immunization of rabbits with each venom. Anti-L. gaucho horse hyperimmune serum provided by the Butantan Institute for treatment of accidents with these spiders was also used. Separation by SDS-PAGE showed the existence of many common components in the three antigens. No individual antigen was observed. Analysis of the antisera by ELISA and Western blotting showed cross-reactivity as well as several common bands between the three venoms. The horse anti-L. gaucho venom serum recognized many common proteins when antigens of the other two species were used. Antigens in the range of 33,000-35,000 mol. wt showed most cross-reactivity. Both horse and rabbit anti-venom sera contained antibodies able to neutralize the lethal and dermonecrotic activities of the venom of the three species studied.