The toxic, biochemical, and immunological characteristics of L. boneti and L. reclusa
venoms and its neutralization by anti-L. boneti and anti-L. reclusa
antivenoms were studied. The electrophoretic profile showed very similar patterns and the toxic activities were very close. Immunological studies showed cross-reactivity among L. boneti and L. reclusa
venoms, with L. boneti and L. reclusa experimental
antivenoms, and anti-L. gaucho and anti-L. laeta
antivenoms. The
venom of L. laeta showed low immunological reactivity with the North American Loxosceles
antivenoms. Experimental anti-North American Loxosceles
antivenoms protected mice of the systemic toxicity and were able to prevent
necrosis in rabbit skin after the injection of the
venom. Both
antivenoms displayed cross neutralization. The results showed that both Loxosceles
venoms have very close toxic, biochemical, and immunological characteristics, and that either monospecific
antivenoms or an
antivenom raised with L. boneti and L. reclusa
venoms as immunogens could be useful for treating
bites by North American Loxosceles spiders.