Biofactories Applied to Future Antivenom Production

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  Image Credit: By Ssiltane - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52242648 Biofactories Applied to Future Antivenom Production Abstract Background: Accidents caused by the  Loxosceles laeta  spider constitute a health problem in South America. Envenomation can lead to severe systemic manifestations, eventually compromising the patient’s life. Most regional health authorities consider antivenom administration the basis of effective treatment in the most serious cases. The availability of spider venom is the primary bottleneck for antivenom production. Herein, we present a novel biotechnological approach, based on the expression of recombinant versions of the most relevant toxin in loxoscelism, sphingomyelinase D (SphD), in insect larvae ( Spodoptera frugiperda ).  Methods: We produced two versions of SphD: one conserving its biological activities (wtSphD) and a second alternative that was designed to be genetically detoxified (dSphD...

Species Composition and Spatial Distribution of Medically Important Scorpions in the Northern Part of Kerman Province, Iran

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Species Composition and Spatial Distribution of Medically Important Scorpions in the Northern Part of Kerman Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were pre­served in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions.

Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hotten­totta cf. juliae, and Hottentotta cf. schach, were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency.

Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran.


Gorouhi, M. A., Izadian, A., Bavani, M. M., Sanei-Dehkordi, A., Habibi, A. M., Gidiglo, G. N., Afshar, A. A., Madjdzadeh, S. M., Yousefi, S., Shirani-Bidabadi, L., Abadi, Y. S., Barahoei, H., & Alizadeh, I. (n.d.). Species composition and spatial distribution of medically important scorpions in the northern part of Kerman Province, Iran. Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases. 

https://publish.kne-publishing.com/index.php/JAD/article/view/15295