Phage display as a novel promising antivenom therapy: a review.

In this work, we present recent advances in the use of phage display technology for the preparation of antivenoms for animal toxin neutralization. Even though classical antivenoms have been used since the early 20th century, envenomation remains a global public health problem. Recently, the phage display technique has been used in an attempt to circumvent some of the difficulties associated with traditional preparations of antivenom.

Serrumab: a novel human single chain-fragment antibody with multiple scorpion toxin-neutralizing capacities.

In Brazil, scorpion envenomation is an important public health problem. The yellow scorpion, Tityus serrulatus (Ts), is considered the most dangerous species in the country, being responsible for the most severe clinical cases of envenomation. Currently, the administration of serum produced in horses is recognized and used as a treatment for accidents with scorpions.

Human antibody fragments specific for Bothrops jararacussu venom reduce the toxicity of other Bothrops sp. venoms.

Approximately 20,000 snakebites are registered each year in Brazil. The classical treatment for venomous snakebite involves the administration of sera obtained from immunized horses. Moreover, the production and care of horses is costly, and the use of heterologous sera can cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Analysis of phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase, and proteinase enzymatic activities of the Lachesis muta rhombeata venom.

The study of venom components is an important step toward understanding the mechanism of action of such venoms and is indispensable for the development of new therapies. This work aimed to investigate the venom of Lachesis muta rhombeata and evaluate enzymes related to its toxicity. Phospholipase A2 (PLA(2)), L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), and proteinase activities were measured, and the molecular weights were estimated.

Serrumab: a human monoclonal antibody that counters the biochemical and immunological effects of Tityus serrulatus venom.

In Brazil, the species Tityus serrulatus is responsible for the most severe cases of scorpion envenomation. There is currently a need for new scorpion anti-venoms that are more effective and less harmful. This study attempted to produce human monoclonal antibodies capable of inhibiting the activity of T.

Expression of complement system regulatory molecules in the endometrium of normal ovulatory and hyperstimulated women correlate with menstrual cycle phase.

The present study describes the temporal expression of complement regulatory molecules membrane cofactor protein (MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF), CR1, and CD59 in the human endometrium throughout the normal menstrual cycle and in patients submitted to ovarian hyperstimulation. During its proliferative phase, the endometrium expresses MCP, with increased expression during the secretory phase. Phase-dependent expression also was observed for DAF and CD59, mainly in the secretory phase.

Investigation of the role of complement and complement receptors in the modulation of B cell activation by a Paracoccidioides brasiliensis cell wall fraction.

F1 fraction from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a potent activator of the complement system. Considering that complement receptors CR1 and CR2 are involved in the regulation of B cell response, we evaluated the in vitro effect of the F1 in the activation of B lymphocytes, as well as the participation of complement receptors in this process. Murine splenocytes were cultured in order to evaluate the expression of CD40, CD45RB and CD69 on B lymphocyte, and IgG and IgM were quantified in the culture supernatant.

Complement levels in Brazilian children during and after meningococcal meningitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the functional activity of the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system and the levels of C3, C4, and factor B during the first episode of meningococcal infection and during the convalescence period.

Patients And Methods: Ten Brazilian children ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years, admitted from 1991 to 1993 with a clinical-laboratory diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis, were studied during acute infection (up to 7 days from diagnosis) and during the convalescence period (1 to 6 months after the acute episode). C3, C4, and Factor B were measured using nephelometry, and the lytic activity of classical and alternative pathways were evaluated by a kinetic method and expressed as the time needed to lyse 50% of an erythrocyte suspension (T1/2, expressed in seconds).