Abstract
BackgroundLoxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. We perform a comparative analysis for the presence of antibodies capable of recognizing Loxosceles venom in a group of patients diagnosed with loxoscelism and in a group of people without loxoscelism.MethodsThe detection of L. laeta venom, Sicarius venom and recombinant phospholipases D from Loxosceles (PLDs) in sera from people with loxoscelism (Group 1) and from healthy people with no history of loxoscelism (Group 2) was evaluated using immuno-dot blot, indirect ELISA, and Western blot.ResultsWe found naturally heterophilic antibodies (IgG-type) in people without contact with Loxosceles spiders or any clinical history of loxoscelism. Either serum pools or single sera from Group 1 and Group 2 analyzed by dot blot tested positive for L. laeta venom. Indirect ELISA for venom recognition showed titles of 1:320 for Group 1 sera and 1:160 for Group 2 sera. Total IgG quantification showed no difference in sera from both groups. Pooled sera and purified IgG from sera of both groups revealed venom proteins between 25 and 32 kDa and the recombinant phospholipase D isoform 1 (rLlPLD1), specifically. Moreover, heterophile antibodies cross-react with PLDs from other Loxosceles species and the venom of Sicarius spider.ConclusionsPeople without contact with the spider venom produced heterophilic antibodies capable of generating a cross-reaction against the venom of L. laeta and Sicarius spiders. Their presence and possible interference should be considered in the development of immunoassays for Loxosceles venom detection.
Highlights
Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom
In order to determine whether venom detection by the Group 2 pool of samples was due to the presence of individual serum that could present specific antibodies against L. laeta venom, we evaluated the detection of each individual’s serum using dot blot
Strong detection was observed with mouse anti-L. laeta venom immune serum and monoclonal anti-rLlPLD1
Summary
Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. Loxoscelism is a clinical picture of poisoning produced by Loxosceles spiders venom that has a considerable impact on the population living in the Americas, from the United States to Chile [1, 2]. In countries such as Brazil, it is a serious public health problem, with a high number. The diagnosis of loxoscelism is usually clinical and presumptive This often depends on capture of the arachnid by the patient for later taxonomic identification in the laboratory, which helps guide an effective diagnosis [10]. The designing of these diagnostic assays may involve the careful attention in specificity, sensitivity, dynamic range, reproducibility and accuracy, and require the identification of factors that may interfere with the assay leading to erroneous results [14]
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