Barietin, a snake venom vascular endothelial growth factor from puff adder Bitis arietans venom, increases the heart rate with minor effect on blood pressure in rats

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  Barietin, a snake venom vascular endothelial growth factor from puff adder Bitis arietans venom, increases the heart rate with minor effect on blood pressure in rats ABSTRACT Snake venom vascular endothelial growth factors (svVEGFs) are homodimeric proteins comprising two equal subunits bound by two intermolecular disulfide bonds. The main biological effects of svVEGFs are local vasodilatation, increasing of vascular permeability, and hypotension. Barietin, a svVEGF purified from the venom of puff adder Bitis arietans , differs from other representatives of this toxin family by its shortened C-terminal amino acid sequence. No data about barietin effects on hemodynamics are available. Studying those in rats we found that barietin at a dose of 1 mg/kg significantly increased heart rate, exerting only a minor influence on blood pressure. In this respect, it differs from other svVEGFs having a significant effect on blood pressure. We aimed to find the barietin active fragment which m...

Letter: Description of Two Cases of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania

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Letter: Description of Two Cases of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania

Fewer than 0.5% of spider species are medically significant, with the genus Loxosceles responsible for most dermonecrotic envenomings.1,2 In the Mediterranean, Loxosceles rufescens is the primary species associated with loxoscelism.2 This synanthropic spider thrives in human dwellings, typically biting only when inadvertently provoked.1,3,4 Its venom, containing sphingomyelinase D, triggers local inflammation and necrosis,1,5 and rarer the acute localized exanthematous pustulosis.6 Diagnosis is often challenged by initial painlessness, leading to frequent misidentification as bacterial infections.2,4,5 These cases in Albania highlight the need for improved clinical recognition of regional spider-bite occurrences.7
Two cases were retrospectively documented via interviews and photos. Informed consent was obtained from both participants. 
Vrenozi, B., & Dugon, M. Letter: Description of Two Cases of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania. Dermatitis®. https://doi.org/10.1177_17103568261444624