IgG antibodies to Loxosceles sp. spider venom in human envenoming

Toxicon. 1992 Sep;30(9):1117-21. doi: 10.1016/0041-0101(92)90057-c.

Abstract

The presence and specificity of IgG antibodies produced by patients with loxoscelism were studied. The loxoscelism diagnosis was supported mainly by clinical parameters. A search for IgG antibodies anti-Loxosceles gaucho venom in patients with loxoscelism submitted to serumtherapy showed antibodies in four out of 20 patients. The IgG antibodies were detected as early as 9 days and as late as 120 days after bite. The highest IgG antibody titer was 1:640 and the lowest was 1:80. Immunoblotting tests showed that human anti-L. gaucho IgG antibodies recognize preferentially the components responsible for the dermonecrotic and lethal activities of the venom. A comparison of the clinical picture, the level of serum IgG antibodies and the dose of antivenom administered suggest that there is no relationship between these parameters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antivenins / immunology*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Spider Bites / immunology*
  • Spider Venoms / immunology*

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Spider Venoms