PATHOGENESIS OF HEMORRHAGE-INDUCED BY PROTEINASE-H FROM EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE (CROTALUS-ADAMANTEUS) VENOM

The pathogenesis of hemorrhage of a purified hemorrhagic toxin, protei nase H from Crotalus adamanteus venom, was studied. Female, white CD-1 mice were injected intramuscularly with sublethal doses of the hemorr hagic toxin and tissue samples were obtained at 10 min, 1, 3 and 24 hr following injection. Severe local hemorrhage was observed grossly wit hin 10 min. Hemorrhage was observed in the connective tissue of skelet al muscle and within adjacent adipose tissue. Many larger vessels were congested with erythrocytes and platelets. By 3 hr inflammatory cell infiltration was observed and necrosis of some muscle cells was eviden t. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the capillary endothel ium was ruptured, leading to hemorrhage per rhexis. Capillary basal la minae were disorganized and often wholly or partially absent. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.