[18] The coagulant enzyme from Bothrops atrox venom (batroxobin)

Bothrops atrox (Linnaeus) is a pit viper which is widespread, and comprises several varieties, in South and Central America. The Linnean species B. atrox has been proposed by Hoge to be subdivided, according to geographical origin, morphological criteria, and immunological properties of their venom, into the five independent species B. asper, B. atrox, B. marajoensis, B. moojeni, and B. pradoi. However, a common property of all Bothrops atrox venoms examined in laboratory is their ability to convert fibrinogen into fibrin, owing to the presence of a thrombin-like enzyme (batroxobin). This article discusses several assay methods such as assay on human plasma, assay on bovine fibrinogen, quantitative estimation of batroxobin in serum (Micromethod), assay on BZ-L-Phe-L-Val-L-Arg-pNA and qualitative detection of batroxobin in lmmunopherograms. It also discusses the physical, chemical and immunological properties of batroxobin.