IMMUNOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN HORSES AND CAMELS AGAINST PAKISTANI VIPER VENOM IMMUNIZATION FOR SNAKE ANTIVENOM IMMUNOGLOBULIN PRODUCTION

Abstract

The treatment for snakebite victims is antivenom immunoglobulins. Modern immunization methods for horses and camels with Pakistani viper venoms are rare, despite maintaining animal safety and efficacy. The study aimed to assess the horses' and camels' immunoglobulins production response against Pakistani viper snake venoms. Throughout immunization, each horse (N=3) and camel (N=3) was immunized with Echis carinatus sochureki, Daboia russelii, and Echis carinatus multisquamatus venoms using Freund’s complete or incomplete adjuvants following previously reported low-dose multi-site immunization method. The study compared the Lumps size, body weight, total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration every 15 days, recorded body temperature for three days after each immunization dose, and confirmed immunoglobulin G production through double immune diffusion gel diffusion and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The study found that Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvant induced reactions (lumps) were more significant in camels than in horses (p < 0.05). No significant weight gain or loss was noted (p > 0.05). After immunization, the increase in body temperature was temporary, and horses were more stable than camels. Total protein and globulin concentrations increased after the 3rd and 4th immunization doses, while albumin concentrations decreased in horses and camels significantly (p < 0.05) compared to their basal concentrations. The antigen-antibody precipitin line in double immune diffusion gel diffusion and IgG bands in SDS-PAGE gel confirmed the development of snake antivenom immunoglobulins against viper venoms. In conclusion, horses and camels showed positive response to producing antivenom immunoglobulins against Pakistani viper venoms, but camels experienced severe physical impact compared to horses.