Biological characterization of the Bothrops brazili snake venom and its neutralization by Brazilian Bothrops antivenom produced by the Butantan Institute

Abstract

We evaluated the ability of the Bothrops antivenom produced by the Butantan Institute to neutralize the lethal, hemorrhagic, myotoxic and phospholipase A2 activities induced by B. brazili venom from Rondônia state, Brazil, and verified its cross-reactivity against this venom. This antivenom neutralized the cited biological activities. It also showed cross-reactivity with this venom, and preferentially recognized components with a relative mass above 66 kDa. Our results suggest that Brazilian Bothrops antivenom can be used in B. brazili envenomation in this region.