Complement depletion following envenomation by Russell's viper and Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper) in the rhesus monkey.

Significant depletion of C3 was observed following administration of lethal and sublethal doses of Russell's viper and Echis carinatus venom to rhesus monkeys. A sequential study carried out over a period of 3 weeks following sublethal envenomation showed a steady rise in the C3 level from 48 hours onwards. By the 20th day the C3 values had attained the pre-envenomation levels. The extent of depletion of C3 was similar in both Russell's viper and E. carinatus envenomation. Because of the close immunological similarity of monkey and man, the rise in C3 which corresponded with recovery of the animals in this experimental model could serve as a useful parameter of recovery in clinical cases of snake poisoning.