Visualizing non infectious and infectious Anopheles gambiae blood feedings in naive and saliva-immunized mice.

Background: Anopheles gambiae is a major vector of malaria and lymphatic filariasis. The arthropod-host interactions occurring at the skin interface are complex and dynamic. We used a global approach to describe the interaction between the mosquito (infected or uninfected) and the skin of mammals during blood feeding.

Phospholipase A2 diversity and polymorphism in European viper venoms: paradoxical molecular evolution in Viperinae.

We report the diversity and polymorphism of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) transcripts from snakes belonging to nine European viper subspecies. This diversity results in the expression of a combination of six PLA(2) species--ammodytin I1, ammodytin I2, ammodytin L, ammodytoxin, vaspin A and vaspin B--with 19 known isoforms of the first five of these species. Most of the European viper venoms studied contained either a myotoxin or a neurotoxin, and all contained ammodytin I1 and ammodytin I2.

Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic analyses of Androctonus australis hector venom in rats: optimization of antivenom therapy.

This paper reports the simultaneous determination of toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic properties of Androctonus australis hector venom, in the absence and presence of antivenom (F(ab')(2) and Fab), in envenomed rats. After subcutaneous injection of the venom, toxins showed a complete absorption phase from the site of injection associated with a distribution into a large extravascular compartment. The injection of Fab and F(ab')(2) induced the neutralization of venom antigens in the blood compartment, as well as the redistribution of venom components from the extravascular compartment to the blood compartment.

Epidemiological data, clinical admission gradation and biological quantification by ELISA of scorpion envenomations in Algeria: effect of immunotherapy.

An epidemiological and biological survey of scorpion envenomation was conducted in Algeria. Analysis of 182 medical files showed that 70% of the patients were stung by Androctonus australis. Most accidents occurred during the morning (40%) or the evening (30%).

Toxicity evolution of Vipera aspis aspis venom: identification and molecular modeling of a novel phospholipase A(2) heterodimer neurotoxin.

We report the simultaneous presence of two phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) neurotoxins in the venom of Vipera aspis aspis, the first such observation. One is monomeric and identical to ammodytoxin B of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes. Its presence may result from gene flux after interbreeding between V.