Hemostatic disorders induced by skin contact with Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) caterpillars.

Patients envenomed by Lonomia sp caterpillars initially experience a mild burning pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and skin and mucosal hemorrhages. Some patients can rapidly progress to a severe coagulopathy that presents as visceral or intracerebral hemorrhaging. We studied the hemostatic alterations that occurred in 14 patients who were envenomed by Lonomia obliqua in Southern Brazil and presented at the Hospital São Vicente de Paulo (Passo Fundo, RS), Brazil during the summers of 1993 and 1994 when Lonomia antivenom was not yet available for treatment.

Role of the inflammatory response in the hemorrhagic syndrome induced by the hemolymph of the caterpillar Lonomia achelous.

Introduction: Contact with the caterpillar of Lonomia achelous causes a hemorrhagic syndrome in humans prompted by two processes, an initial mild DIC that is later masked by overwhelming fibrinolytic activity. Although the venom affects both the hemostatic and inflammatory systems separately, it is not clear whether the hematological and hemostatic disturbances may in part be due to an indirect effect via inflammatory mediators. Here we report results on the crosstalk between these systems, particularly the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α on hemostatic parameters.

Fibrin(ogen)olytic enzymes in scorpion (Tityus discrepans) venom.

Several fibrin(ogen)olytic enzymes from Tityus discrepans (Buthidae, Buthoidea) venom (TdV) were partially purified on a Sephadex G-50 column, by affinity and molecular exclusion high-performance chromatography. Fractions SB1-I and SB1-II had fibrinolytic, fibrinogenolytic (Aα-chains degradation) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-like activities. SB1-III was only fibrinogenolytic (fast degradation of Aα-chains and slower degradation of fibrinogen Bβ-chains).

Activity and levels of factor XIII in a Venezuelan admixed population: association with rs5985 (Val35Leu) and STR F13A01 polymorphisms.

Introduction: The single nucleotide polymorphism Val35Leu has been described within the A subunit of gene Factor XIII (FXIII-A) in association with an increase of FXIII activity. In the gene's promoter region STR F13A01 is present, however there is no available data related about its influence on the expression of FXIII.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy and unrelated biologically individuals from northeastern area of Venezuela.

A mouse model to study the alterations in haemostatic and inflammatory parameters induced by Lonomia achelous caterpillar haemolymph.

A mouse model was established to reproduce the haemorrhagic syndrome which occurs in humans after accidental contact with the hairs of the caterpillar Lonomia achelous (LA) and measures the haemostatic and inflammatory alterations that occur as a result of this contact. Mice were injected intradermally with different doses (0.4, 0.