Gamma irradiation of Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) Venom.

The aim of the present study was to prepare an effective and safe toxoid for the Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) Venom by gamma irradiation. The effects of gamma irradiation (0.1-10 M rad) on the toxicity, as well as the antigen antibody complex formation reactivity was described. It appears from the results that the lethality of Naja haje venom irradiated in the dry form was not affected up to a dose of 10 M rad (100 KGy). On the other hand, the venom irradiated in the aqueous solution form showed a decrease in its lethality, and this was proportionately related to the dose of irradiation, while the ability of the venom antigens to react with its corresponding antibodies was retained up to irradiation dose of 5 M rad. The results of double immunodiffusion of non irradiated and the different dose levels of gamma irradiated venom (0.1-5 M rad) against a commercial Egyptian polyvalent antivenin, all showed similar patterns, the four visible lines obtained in the immunodiffusion reactions were identical and joined smoothly at the corners, indicating that there was no change in antigenic reactivity with antibodies determinants.