Animal Toxins

are toxins resmbling bacterial toxins in its antigenic

properties that is found in the fluids of certain

animals.
are well recognized for their toxicity. Poisoning is

through direct contact, bites or by consumption.

are complex consisting of polypeptides, enzymes and

chemicals which can cause injury. At least 3

mechanisms are involved in pathophysiology of venom
poisoning.

o Direct injury is induced mostly by chemicals, enzymes

and polypeptides.
Polypeptides exert their effects through the action on

ion channels and receptors on the cell membrane. The

action of polypeptides on ion channels and receptor

sites through signal transduction causes the release of

mediators which usually results in neuromuscular
effects.

 Enzymes can cause membrane lysis, pore formation,

cytoskeletal destruction, release inflammatory and

vasoactive mediators and
activate the coagulation pathway at various levels.

 Proteolytic enzymes and phospholipase A2 are

important causes of cellular injury and coagulopathy.

Indirectly, vasoactive mediators and proinflammatory

cytokines induced by enzymes can lead to

haemodynamic alterations and cause organ injury.

Cardiovascular symptoms are therefore common.

 They can also trigger the inflammatory process with

generation of adhesion molecules, complement

activation, acute phase proteins, free radicals,
increased vascular permeability and increased blood
viscosity. Local reactions include pain, swelling and

redness.

 Haemodynamic changes may result if the process is

severe. Immunologic reaction usually results in the

form of allergic response such as skin rashes and
oedema. In the severe form anaphylaxis with
respiratory and cardiovascular symtoms may occur.

 Haemodynamic- is a medical term for the dynamic

regulation of the blood flow in the brain.

Anaphylaxis-is a life-threatening type of allergic

reaction. Symptoms develop rapidly, often within

seconds or minutes. They may include the following:
Abdominal pain or cramping;

Animal Toxins :
Venomous Animal

Poisonous Animal

is capable of producing a

contains tissues that are,

poison in a highly

in whole or part, toxic

developed gland or

and there is no

group of cells and can

mechanism to deliver the

deliver the toxin by

poison.

biting or stinging

Properties of Animal Toxins

Composition & Chemical properties

Proteins, peptides, enzymes, amines, lipids, steroids,

amino polysaccharides, etc.
Variables affecting the action of Venoms

Route of administration
Absorption
Distribution
Passage across membranes
Accumulation
Metabolism & excretion

Reptiles
Venomous Species of

Snakes
Elapidae
Hdrophiidae

Laticudidae
Viperidae
Crotalidae
Colubridae

Venomous

Lizards
Gila Monster

& Mexican
beaded lizard

Snake Venoms
Proteins & peptides

Inorganic ions Na+, Ca2+, K+, & Mn2+

Trace amounts of Zn, Fe, Co, Mg, & Ni
Other components

Carbohydrates (glycoproteins)

Lipids
Biogenic amines
Free amino acids

Enzymes of Snake Venoms

Proteolytic enzymes

Lactate Dehydrogenase

Arginine ester hydrolase

Phosphomonoesterase

Thrombinlike enzyme

Phosphodiesterase
Acetylcholinesterase

Collagenase

RNase

Hyaluronidase

DNase

Phospholipase A2(A)

5-Nuclease

Phospholipase B

NAD-nucleotidase
L-Amino acid oxidase

Phospholipase C

Toxicology of Crotalids
Direct tissue damage & necrosis
Alterations in Blood vessel resistance
Changes in RBCs and blood coagulation
Indirect effects on cardiac and pulmonary
dynamics

Alterations of NS function
Changes in metabolism & respiration
Hypotension - shock

Amphibian Toxins
Toad Toxins

Chemical composition

Biogenic amines epinephrine,

norepinephrine, dopamine, epinine, indolealkylamines

Actions
Vasoconstriction, hypotension, hallucinations

Smooth muscle

Frog Toxins
Chemical composition :

Bicyclic & Steroid alkaloids

Phyllobatis sp. dart poisons
Atelopus sp.

Zetekitoxins AB & C LD = 11g/kg & 80 g/kg

Tetrodotoxin & Batrachotoxin
LD mouse = 100ng; LD human = 200 ng

Venomous Arthropods
Arachnids - Spiders

Widow Spiders Latrodectus

Venom

Neurotoxic proteins (5-6) high content of isoleucine and

leucine & low content of tyrosine

Proteolytic enzymes & hyaluronidase
Toxicity

Muscle pain, cramps, fasciculation

Joint pain
Headache & dizziness

edema

Venomous Arthropods
Spiders (cont.)
Brown or Violin Spiders Loxosceles sp.
Brown recluse
Venom
Sphingomyelinase D Phospholipase
Protease Esterase
Collagenase Hyaluronidase
DNase & RNase Derma necrosis 33 & 37
Toxicity
Vascular damage & tissue necrosis
Lethality intravascular hemolysis,
thrombocytopenia,
hemoglobinuria, renal failure

Venomous Arthropods
Hymenoptera Ants, Bees, Wasps, Hornets
Lethality due to sensitization to the venom &
anaphylactic reactions
Venom
Peptides & nonenzymatic
proteins
Phospholipase A & B
Hyaluronidase
Histamine & 5-hydroxytryptamine.

MAIN ANIMAL TOXIN CLASSES:

Hemotoxins- A toxin that acts by lysing
erythrocytes . Venoms of this kind disrupt blood
clotting and, in the process of destroying the blood's
functionality, severely damage internal organs and

other body tissues.

MAIN ANIMAL TOXIN CLASSES:

Cardio active Toxins:

Cardiotoxins/cytotoxins.- Act on membrane

lipids/proteins of blood cells or heart cells.
(cobras, scorpions)
Digoxin-likeCardiotonic - steroids that produce
severe arrythmia of heartbeat.
(toads)

MAIN ANIMAL TOXIN CLASSES:

Myotoxins - are small, basic peptides found in snake
venoms, such as in that of certain rattlesnakes. This
involves a non-enzymatic mechanism that leads to
severe muscle necrosis. These peptides act very

quickly, causing instantaneous paralysis to prevent

pprey from escaping and eventually death due to

diaparalysis.

MAIN ANIMAL TOXIN CLASSES:

Neurotoxins- A toxin that interferes with nerve function.

- is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells

(neurons), usually by interacting with

membrane

proteins such as ion channels. Some sources are more

general, and define the

effect of neurotoxins as occurring

at nerve tissue. Bungarotoxin, which is considered a

neurotoxin,has its effect at the motor end plate.