Neutralization of tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom by serum from other Australian elapids

Sera from four Australian elapids and one boidid (python) were tested for their ability to protect neonatal mice against the toxic action of tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom. Of the five serum samples tested, only serum from Pseudechis australis and Pseudechis porphyriacus were capable of neutralizing the tiger snake venom. In addition, neutralization was shown to be highly variable within serum taken from individual snakes of the same species (P. porphyriacus). Previously, only viperid and colubrid snakes have been shown to possess neutralizing factors against snake venoms.