Characterization of the biological and immunological properties of fractions of prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) venom.

Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) venom was separated using liquid column chromatography. The fractions were tested for biological activity in mice and for immunological reactivity against polyvalent (Crotalidae) antivenom and a monovalent antivenom to the crude venom. Several of the basic fractions and most of the non-basic fractions had hemorrhagic activity. Six of eight basic fractions had direct myotoxic activity, two of the basic fractions. Monovalent antivenom formed multiple precipitin bands with almost all of the fractions. These results clearly demonstrate that most of the venom components are antigenic and immunogenic. Immunodiffusion using the monovalent antivenom demonstrated that C. v. viridis venom contains many antigens common to 10 other crotaline venoms. One of the hemorrhagic components was present in five of the other venoms tested, one of the direct myotoxic components was present in three other venoms, and one of the lethal components was common to two other venoms. Another highly active hemorrhagic component was common to all of the venoms tested except that of Trimeresurus flavoviridis.