Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on Archachatina marginata hemolymph coagulation system

Context: Archachatina marginata Swainson (Achatinidae) is found in Nigeria, West Africa. Its hemolymph is applied as a disinfectant to blades and fresh cuts of circumcision in Yorubaland. The hemolymph is also used in traditional medicine practice. Investigation into its anti-endotoxin response is being studied for the first time. Objective: This study determined whether endotoxin causes measurable and concentration-dependent protein coagulation in the separate hemolymph fractions and in hemocyte lysate (HL)/plasma mixtures. Materials and methods: Endotoxin was prepared by inoculating 5% w/v dextrose with locally isolated Escherichia coli cells and incubated for 48 h before sterilization. Pyrogenicity was determined by rabbit test method and use the of LAL kit. Hemolymph fractions were exposed to endotoxin while controls were exposed to endotoxin-free water (0.025 EU/ml). HL/plasma (1:1 v/v) was exposed to varied endotoxin concentrations. Results: Data indicated significantly higher protein coagulates induced by endotoxin in all the hemolymph fractions (P