[Hemorrhagic, edema-forming, proteolytic and myonecrotic activities of viper venoms of Bothrops alternatus (Vibora de la Cruz)].

A study of hemorrhagic, edema-forming, proteolytic and myonecrotic activities induced by newborn Bothrops alternatus snake venoms from Argentina was performed. The analyzed venom had these activities with markedly differences when compared with the venom of adult specimens. Hemorrhagic activity was four times higher, while edema forming activity was ten times or more. But proteolytic activity was similar in both groups. Hystological analysis showed intense hemorrhage and muscular fiber myolisis after 60 minutes of venom injection. Myonecrosis and inflammatory exudate were higher in the following hours. Hemorrhage decreased after 24 hours and muscular fiber regeneration started after the first week with granulation tissue formation. On the fourth week regenerating muscular fiber areas and granulation tissue were still observed. As a conclusion, we can assume that the injury induced in the snake accident by newborn Bothrops alternatus snakes would be more intense than those induced by the adult ones.