Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Histopathological analysis and in situ localisation of Australian tiger snake venom in two clinically envenomed domestic animals.
- Journal:
- Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Jacoby-Alner, T E et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Western Australia · Australia
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two pets, a cat and a dog, who were both bitten by a tiger snake and unfortunately died from the effects of the venom. The researchers examined samples from their hearts, lungs, kidneys, and muscles shortly after they passed away. They found that the snake venom caused serious damage in these organs, including blood clots in the heart and lungs, which had not been noted before. The venom was specifically located in the lung, kidney, and muscle tissues of both animals. Overall, the findings confirmed that the venom can cause significant harm and that it affects specific parts of the body.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess histopathological changes in clinically envenomed tiger snake patients and identify tissue specific localisation of venom toxins using immunohistochemistry. SAMPLES: One feline and one canine patient admitted to the Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre (MPEC), Murdoch University with tiger snake (Notechis sp.) envenoming. Both patients died as a result of envenomation. Non-envenomed tissue was also collected and used for comparison. METHODOLOGY: Biopsy samples (heart, lung, kidney andskeletal muscle tissue) were retrieved 1-2 h post death and processed for histopathological examination using Haemotoxylin and Eosin, Martius Scarlet Blue and Periodic Acid Schiff staining. Tissues were examined by light microscopy and tissue sections subjected to immunohistochemical staining using in-house generated monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against Notechis venoms. RESULTS: Venom-induced pathological changes were observed in the lungs, kidneys and muscle tissue of both patients. Evidence, not previously noted, of procoagulant venom effects were apparent, with formed thrombi in the heart, lungs (small fibrillar aggregates and larger, discrete thrombi) and kidneys. Immunohistochemical assays revealed venom present in the pulmonary tissue, in and around the glomerular capsule and surrounding tubules in renal tissue and scattered throughout the Gastrocnemius muscle tissue. CONCLUSION: This work has shown pathological evidence of procoagulant venom activity supporting previous suggestions that an initial thrombotic state occurs in envenomed patients. We have shown that venom toxins are able to be localised to specific tissues, in this case, venom was detected in the lung, kidney and muscle tissues of clinically envenomed animals. Future work will examine specific toxin localisation using monoclonal antibodies and identify if antivenom molecules are able to reach their target tissues.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21824487/