Generation of protective immune sera by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom detoxified by controlled iodination

RESUMO

1. Whole soluble venom from the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus was detoxified by controlled iodination. Doses equivalent to 100 LD50 of the native venom were administerd to mice, without signs of intoxication. 2. The non-toxic iodinated derivative were able to stimulate antibodies in rabbits and horses within a short period (6 months) of inmunization. Horse antisera attained titers of 0.5 to 0.9 mg/ml for protection aginst native venom. 3. Horse antisera obrained in horses from native and iodinated venom were run against both native and iodinated venoms, as antigens, in gel immunodiffusion. The precipitation lines showed total identity of the types of sera