Received: November 13, 2007.

Accepted: May 15, 2008.

Abstract published online: May 20, 2008.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2008.

EVALUATION OF THE NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY OF Androctonus crassicauda (OLIVIER, 1807) ANTIVENOM AGAINSTLeiurus quinquestriatus (EHRENBERG, 1928) VENOM (SCORPIONES: BUTHIDAE)

OZKAN O (1), ADIGUZEL S (1), INCEOGLU B (2), LANGO J (3), ERTEK M (1), HAMMOCK BD (2)

(1) Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, Ankara, Turkey; (2) Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, California, USA; (3) Department of Chemistry and Superfund Analytical Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

ABSTRACT: The two most venomous species of the family Buthidae, Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassicauda, are found in Africa and in the Middle East. Potency and paraspecific activities of A. crassicauda antivenom (RSHC anti-Ac) were tested against L. quinquestriatus venom. The sera produced by Refik Saydam Hygiene Center (RSHC) showed strong reactivity against the venoms of A. crassicauda and L. quinquestriatus in western blotting and dot-blot analysis. RSHC anti-Ac presents immunoactivity and neutralizing potential against Leiurus quinquestriatus venom. Neutralization capacity of antivenom was found to be 400 µL against 40 minimum lethal doses (MLD) of A. crassicauda scorpion venom and 10 MLD of L. quinquestriatus venom. This study indicates that the RSHC anti-Ac could be used for treatingL. quinquestriatus stings.

KEY WORDS: scorpion, Androctonus crassicauda, Leiurus quinquestriatus, venom, monovalent antivenom, paraspecific activity.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

OZCAN OZKAN, D.V.M., Laboratory Chief, Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. Phone: +90 312 498 21 50 1135. Email: ozcanozkan_62@hotmail.com.