An Immunological Investigation of Rattlesnake Venoms by the Agar Diffusion Method

Abstract

Summary The agar double diffusion method of Ouchterlony indicates that rattlesnake venoms are composed of at least 4 to 7 antigenic fractions. At least 3 of these are widely shared within the group and at least 3 others are less widely shared. There is reason to believe one of the latter fractions may be associated with a powerful neurotoxin. The venoms of the rattlesnakes have one or more antigens in common with the venoms of the North American moccasins, Agkistrodon. The North American crotalid antivenin (Wyeth) is immunologically polyvalent against the venoms of all of the 14 species of rattlesnakes tested.