Plasmas from Pseudonaja textilis and Notechis scutatus were tested in vitro
for their ability to neutralise the procoagulant activity, in human plasma
, of nine elapid venoms. Pseudonaja textilis plasma inhibited the procoagul
ant activity of all Pseudonaja species and in one taipan (Oxyuranas scutell
atus). However there was no inhibitory activity against any from the Notech
is species. Plasma from Notechis scutatus exhibited no inhibitory activity
against any Notechis species, including self, only weak inhibition against
the Pseudonaja species and, again, total inhibition of Oxyuranus scutellatu
s. Thus, protection of a species from the effects of its own venom does not
appear to be universal. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
.