DEVELOPMENT OF AN ACUTE CUTANEOUS SWINE MODEL FOR LOXOSCELES ENVENOMATION

Study Objective: To develop an acute cutaneous swine model for Loxosce les envenomation which could be used to objectively compare various tr eatment modalities. Participants: Nine weanling, mixed-breed domestic piglets. Interventions: Piglets were injected intradermal in the hindl imb with Loxosceles deserta venom in increasing doses and concentratio ns until consistently large lesions were obtained. A minimum of 3 inje ctions/venom preparation were carried out, with no more than 2 injecti ons/animal. Repeat injections in the same animal were separated by 8 d . Measurements and Main Results: All lesions were measured daily for e rythema and necrosis for 7 consecutive days. Data are reported as indi vidual and mean maximal values. The piglets receiving 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 ml of 5 mul venom/ml saline developed small inconsistent lesions, with the largest necrotic lesion 5 mm. Those injected with 0.3 ml of venom diluted 15 mul/ml saline developed small necrotic lesions (mean 4 mm, maximal 10 mm). All piglets injected with 25 mul of venom diluted to 0.3 ml developed large necrotic lesions (mean 33 mm) with substantial erythema (mean 177 mm). Conclusion: Intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of 25 mul purified Loxosceles deserta venom diluted to 0.3 ml with steri le saline produced large necrotic lesions in piglets. This model may b e used to study Loxosceles envenomation and treatment.