animals venoms and poisons Flashcards
toxicology vs toxinology
toxicology - effects of chemicals on living system
toxinology - animal, plant, and microbial toxin properties
poisonous vs venomous animals
poisonous - part or entirety of animal is toxic without mechanism or structure for delivery
venomous - production of poison in glands and delivered through mechanism like biting or stinging
what makes up a venom?
cocktail of molecules that work together to produce toxicity
what molecules can venom contain?
proteins histamine phospholipases free amino acids steroids amines lipids
what is the challenge in venom analysis?
its hard to take venom apart and study individual components because it can destroy quality of venom since components work together
what does bioavailability look for?
substance that gets absorbed well to enter/cross membranes
what is bioavailability determined by?
molecular size
solubility
rate of blood flow
how is venom absorbed in individuals?
injection and intravenous injection
active transport
facilitated diffusion
pinocytosis
what does venom do?
destroys tissue
receptor mediated toxicity
why can venom excretion be complicated?
because the venom can act on the kidneys
venom and poison are both
toxins
Scorpions
hallmarks?
mechanism of action?
symptoms?
hallmark - low molecular weight proteins are fairly bioavailable
mechanism- neurotoxin blocks channels to impair depolarization of action potential in nerve or muscle
symptoms:
swelling
tachycardia and hypertension
fever and muscle fasciculation (twitch) in adults
motor weakness and respiratory paralysis in children
symptoms resolve in 12-36 hours
Are venoms and poisons always fatal?
No
some people are hypersensitive than others
lactrodectus (widow spiders)
hallmarks?
mechanism?
symptoms?
hallmarks - venom affects neurotransmitter release because contains lactrotoxins
mechanism - latrotoxin depolarizes neurons by increasing [Ca2+]. stimulates exocytosis of neurotransmitter at nerve terminals
symptoms:
muscle cramping
muscle fasciculations (twitch)
rarely fatal
numbing pain
Loxosceles (brown recluse) called fiddle back spider
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - venom has phospholipase anything -ase to break down tissue (think necrosis) mechanism - breaks down tissue with enzymes symptoms - burning serious bit causes necrosis rarely fatal fever nausea hematuria
Ticks
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - saliva toxic, circular skin rash at bite
mechanism - borrelia toxin prevents release of acetylcholine
symptoms
fever
headache
fatigue
circular skin rash
can spread to joints, lymph nodes, heart, nervous system
can be treated early with antibiotics
centipedes
hallmark
mechanism
symptoms
hallmark - venom has histamine, proteinases, esterase
mechanism - venom has histamine, proteinases, first legs are poisonus jaws
symptoms
swelling and redness, necrosis is rare
caterpillarshallmark
mechanism
symptoms
hallmark - urticating hair (setae) mechanism - poison glands at base of each hair symptom itching redness subsides
ants
hallmark
mechanism
symptom
hallmark - venom has formic acid and alkaloids
mechanism - stings
symptom: burning, swelling, pustule, necrosis
respiratory difficulty and rarely death if 100 bites
bees
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks- venom has phospholipase A, histamine
mechanism - stinger
symptoms
some are allergic which causes anaphalyx
more than 100 stings is lethal
respiratory dysfunction, shock, renal failure
amphibians (frogs)
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - batrachotoxin (most toxic). steroidal alkaloid
mechanism - sodium channel blocker by locking channel in open position results in constant release acetycholine
symptoms
muscle contract but do not relax
death from respiratory paralysis b/c to breath you need to contract and relax muscles
reptile (gila monster)
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - venom has phospholipases and poroteolytic and hyaluronidase activities
mechanism - hyaluronidase increases tissue permeability and venom is drawn up by capillary action along grooves in teeth
symptoms (did not sayy)
(Snakes) crotalids
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - rich in proteolytic activity and thrombin enzymes
mechanism -
symptoms
hypotension/shock and capillary permeability
(snakes) viprid
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks- moderate rich in proteolytic and thrombin enzymes
mechanism
symptoms
hypotension/shock and capillary permeability
(snakes) Elapid
hallmarks
mechanism
symptoms
hallmarks - little or no proteolytic activity
mechanism -
symptoms
respiratory arrest from neurotoxic activity
antivenom monovalent or polyvalent
monovalent - targets one species
polyvalent - targets many species
how are antivenom made?
small nonlethal amount of venom injected into horse or sheep so they make antibodies. then we collect those antibodies and administer it as antivenom
what are ALL venoms capable of?
anaphylaxis
anaphylaxis vs anaphylactic shock
anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (rapid, multisystem) severe allergic rxn
anaphylactic shock - leads to death in minutes if untreated
can occur in antivenom if someone’s allergic
toxicity depends on?
properties of toxin
delivery
bite site (route of administration)
health of patient
