Neutralization Capacity of Monovalant Antivenom Against Existing Lethal Scorpions in the Turkish Scorpiofauna.

In this study, and venom samples were compared for lethality, effects and proteins. Neutralization capacity of monovalent antivenom (RSHA anti-Ac) was tested against the lethal effects of the venoms. Venom was obtained from mature scorpions by electrical stimulation of the telson. The lethality of the venom and potency of Horse RSHA anti-Ac were determined in Swiss mice. The protein profiles of the scorpion venoms were analysed by NuPAGE® 4-12% gradient Bis-Tris gel followed by Coomassie blue staining. Western blotting was performed to determine immunogenic compounds in the venom samples. The median lethal doses of scorpion and venoms were determined to be 1.92 mg/kg by i.v. injection route, 0.67 mg/kg and 0.24 mg/kg by s.c. injection route, respectively. (Olivier, 1807) venom was used as control. One millilitre of the RSHA anti-Ac neutralises 23 LD of , 32 LD of and 42 LD of venom in mice. Analysis of electrophoresis indicates that three scorpion venoms posses low molecular weight proteins. Immunoblotting indicated that RSHA anti-Ac strongly reacted with both the specific venom and species venoms which have antigenic similarity. The result of our study showed that and could be medically important scorpions for humans, particullary children. The RSHA anti-Ac can be used in the treatment of envenomation by and scorpion stings.