An in vitro potency assay using nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding works well with antivenoms against Bungarus candidus and Naja naja.

In order to facilitate/expedite the production of effective and affordable snake antivenoms, a novel in vitro potency assay was previously developed. The assay is based on an antiserum's ability to bind to postsynaptic neurotoxin (PSNT) and thereby inhibit the PSNT binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The assay was shown to work well with antiserum against Thai Naja kaouthia which produces predominantly the lethal PSNTs.

A novel in vitro potency assay of antisera against Thai Naja kaouthia based on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding.

Snake envenomation is an important medical problem. One of the hurdles in antivenom development is the in vivo assay of antivenom potency which is expensive, gives variable results and kills many animals. We report a novel in vitro assay involving the specific binding of the postsynaptic neurotoxins (PSNTs) of elapid snakes with purified Torpedo californica nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR).

A Simple and Novel Strategy for the Production of a Pan-specific Antiserum against Elapid Snakes of Asia.

Snakebite envenomation is a serious medical problem in many tropical developing countries and was considered by WHO as a neglected tropical disease. Antivenom (AV), the rational and most effective treatment modality, is either unaffordable and/or unavailable in many affected countries. Moreover, each AV is specific to only one (monospecific) or a few (polyspecific) snake venoms.

Studies on the fractionation of equine antivenom IgG by combinations of ammonium sulfate and caprylic acid.

This study involved the use of combined stepwise ammonium sulfate (AS) and caprylic acid (CA) fractionation of equine antivenom IgG without intermediate separation of precipitate. Using a microplate and checker board titration format, plasma was treated under 66 conditions with varying concentrations of AS (0-25% saturation) and CA (0-5% v/v). The filtrate of each well was assayed for protein and antibody activity.

A study on the use of caprylic acid and ammonium sulfate in combination for the fractionation of equine antivenom F(ab')(2).

This study involved the fractionation of equine antivenom F(ab')(2) by combined stepwise ammonium sulfate (AS) and caprylic acid (CA) precipitation without intermediate separation of precipitate. Using a microplate format, 55 conditions with combinations of AS (0-20% saturation) and CA (0-5% v/v), were tested. AS significantly reduced the turbidity raised by CA.