Effects of snake venoms on mammalian cells in tissue culture

Abstract The effects of snake venoms on two types of cells in tissue culture were investigated. Venoms of Crotalidae, Viperidae, Elapidae and Hydrophiidae, from widely separated geographical areas, were used. Venoms of the three Crotalidae and one Viperidae showed very strong cytolytic activity, while those of the Elapidae and Hydrophiidae had little effect. These results are in agreement with the clinical observation that Crotalidae and Viperidae snakes cause necrosis and hemorrhage on envenomation while Elapidae and Hydrophiidae show little local tissue damage. Addition of antivenin to Crotalidae venoms slowed down the cytolytic effect of venoms.