Experimental myonecrosis induced by the venoms of South American Micrurus (coral snakes)

Abstract

Venoms from 11 taxa of Micrurus (coral snakes) from Brazil and Colombia were tested for myotoxic activity in mice. All venoms, except that of M. surinamensis, induced myotoxicity as judged by the increase in plasma creatine kinase levels and by histological analysis. Qualitatively, these venoms induced a similar necrotic pattern, although there were conspicuous quantitative differences between them.