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IgE antibodies against snake venoms
A Alonso1, L M Scavini, G A Marino
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, Clinical Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Atopic patients experiencing a second Bothrops snake bite developed acute hives and angioedema. This allergic reaction is likely due to specific IgE antibodies against the snake venom, not toxic effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Herpetology
Background:
- Atopic individuals may exhibit unique reactions to environmental triggers.
- Snake bites, particularly from Bothrops species, can cause diverse clinical manifestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunological basis of acute allergic reactions in atopic patients following repeated Bothrops snake bites.
- To differentiate allergic responses from toxic effects of snake venom.
Main Methods:
- Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for IgE antibodies.
- Ouchterlony and Boyden assays for IgG antibodies.
- DEAE-cellulose column fractionation of Bothrops alternata venom.
Main Results:
- Atopic patients bitten twice by Bothrops snakes experienced immediate hives and angioedema.
- Specific IgE antibodies against Bothrops alternata venom were detected.
- Cross-reactivity was observed among different Bothrops species venoms.
Conclusions:
- Acute hives and angioedema after a second Bothrops bite in atopic patients are likely IgE-mediated allergic reactions.
- These reactions should be distinguished from the delayed toxic effects of snake venom.