Common Antigens in Snake Venoms

Abstract

Differences among venoms of snake species geographically and phylogenetically remote from each other were observed by pioneer workers on snake venoms. Fayrer (1872) noted differences in the effects of various Indian snake venoms on animals. Mitchell and Reichert (1886) found significant differences in the concentrations of globulins and peptones in venoms of the rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and cobra (Naja naja). They also found these venoms differed in their pharmacologic effects and in the tissue changes produced. Wolfenden (1886) reported on chemical differences between venoms of the cobra and Russell’s viper (Vipera russellii), concluding that they depended on modifications of the protein molecule. It soon became apparent that the composition of snake venoms could not be adequately defined by the biochemical techniques of the day, and the venom components were generally classified by their pharmacologic effects as neurotoxins, hemorrhagins, cytolysins, etc. Soon after Sewall’s (1887) demonstration of the immunogenic properties of snake venom and the development of bacterial antitoxins, therapeutic antisera to snake venoms were developed on a more or less empiric basis with imperfect understanding of the nature and complexity of the venoms.KeywordsSnake VenomCobra VenomCoral SnakeNaja NajaPrecipitin ReactionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.