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Long-Term Pulmonary Damage in Surviving Antitoxin-Treated Mice following a Lethal Ricin Intoxication
Yoav Gal1, Anita Sapoznikov1, Shlomi Lazar2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness-Ziona 74100, Israel.
Toxins
|February 23, 2024
Summary
Antitoxin treatment saves mice from lethal ricin exposure, but long-term lung damage, including fibrosis and reduced compliance, can still occur.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Ricin is a potent toxin and potential bioterrorism agent.
- Pulmonary ricin exposure causes severe lung injury, cytokine storm, and high mortality.
- Equine polyclonal antibody (antitoxin) treatment effectively reduces acute lung injury and increases survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term pulmonary consequences in mice that survived lethal-dose ricin exposure following antitoxin treatment.
- To characterize histopathological changes and functional deficits in the lungs 30 days post-exposure.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to a lethal dose of ricin and treated with equine polyclonal antitoxin.
- Pulmonary function (hyperpermeability, compliance) and lung histology were assessed 30 days after exposure.
Main Results:
- Surviving mice exhibited significant long-term pulmonary sequelae.
- Histopathological examination revealed prominent changes and moderate fibrosis.
- Lung hyperpermeability was increased, and lung compliance was decreased in surviving mice.
Conclusions:
- Antitoxin treatment, while life-saving, does not prevent long-term lung damage after lethal ricin exposure.
- Pulmonary fibrosis and impaired lung function are potential long-term consequences in survivors.
- This study highlights the need for further investigation into the chronic effects of ricin intoxication and antitoxin therapy.
