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Rattlesnake and Scorpion Antivenoms from the Egg Yolks of Immunized Hens

Bio/Technology volume 8, pages 934–938 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

Antivenoms used to treat poisonous bites and stings are usually derived from horse sera. Consequently, they contain horse immunoglobulins, which frequently cause complement mediated side effects, and other proteins that can cause serum sickness and, occasionally, anaphylactic shock. Here we describe a new, avian source of antivenoms that precludes these complications, and an efficient and gentle means for preparing antivenoms composed solely of venom-specific antibodies. We demonstrate that antivenoms purified from the egg yolks of laying hens immunized with Crotalus atrox rattlesnake venom and Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus scorpion venom neutralize the lethal effects of these venoms in vivo. Antivenoms purified from chicken eggs may be phar-maceutically safer and more economical to produce than current horse antivenoms.

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Author notes

  1. Sean B. Carroll: Corresponding author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1525 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706

    Bruce S. Thalley & Sean B. Carroll

Authors
  1. Bruce S. Thalley
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  2. Sean B. Carroll
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Thalley, B., Carroll, S. Rattlesnake and Scorpion Antivenoms from the Egg Yolks of Immunized Hens. Nat Biotechnol 8, 934–938 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1090-934

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