The action of Lonomia achelous caterpillar venom on some blood coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters of the rabbit.

The bodily secretions of the Lonomia achelous caterpillar cause a severe and often fatal acquired bleeding diathesis in humans. The rabbit was selected as model animal in an attempt to understand the mode of action of the venom. The animals were injected subcutaneously with either hemolymph or chromatographically purified fractions. Injections of hemolymph produced a drop in fibrinogen and factor XIII levels and an increase in fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). In addition one batch of hemolymph decreased plasminogen levels. The chromatographically semipurified fraction II decreased both fibrinogen and plasminogen. The effect was dose dependent but, unlike in humans, there was a fairly rapid return to baseline values. In conclusion, the response to Lonomia achelous venom in the rabbit is similar to the response seen in humans, but with a more rapid recovery.