Morphological alterations in mice skins inoculated with the total snake venom of Philodryas nattereri

Abstract

Snake venoms are composed of complex active substances, most of them of protein nature,
causing various effects on humans and domestic animals and can lead to death. Philodryas
nattereri is a native snake Ceara region, found throughout the state. This study aimed to know
the morphological and physiological changes in mouse skin after inoculation with the total
venom this serpente. The animals were divided into two groups that received concentrations
of 40µg/mL and 20µg/mL respectively, inoculated subcutaneously, and a third group that
received intradermal 40µg/mL of the venom. The macroscopic results showed the presence of
a crust in the inoculated area, and the presence of bleeding, this activity was confirmed by
histopathological analysis. Microscopically, all experimental groups had lymphoblastic and
polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltration, hemorrhage, edema, and fibrosis. The venom of
the snake Philodryas nattereri altered the normal integument architecture. Our results
corroborate to demonstrate such changes, since this toxic substance of animal origin present
in our Northeast biodiversity presents few literature data, thereby being an important tool for
the study of morphological and physiological changes in the skin.