Toxicopathological Effects of the Venom of Echis ocellatus on Experimentally Envenomated Swiss Albino Rats

Abstract

The World Health Organization classified snakebite envenomation as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2017. The significance of Echis ocellatus in causing envenomation in humans and animals in Northern Nigeria has been widely recognized, with experts identifying it as the most medically important snake in the region. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the toxicopathological effects of Echis ocellatus venom on Swiss albino rats subjected to experimental envenomation. The vital organs were collected and examined histopathologically. The data revealed necrosis and congestion in the heart tissues of envenomated rats compared to the control group. Similarly, the kidney sections showed necrosis and congestion in the nephrotic tissues, while the liver sections exhibited necrosis, congestion, and perivascular cuffing. Data obtained show that the haematological parameters: PCV was 26 ± 0.7723% in the envenomated group compared to 44 ± 0.5213% in the control group. Hemoglobin levels were 8.67 ± 0.4217 g/dL versus 14.23 ± 0.3871 g/dL, erythrocyte counts were 1.0 ± 0.5617 ×10⁶/L compared to 9.0 ± 0.3938 ×10^⁶/L, and total protein was 3.2 ± 1.1623 g/dL compared to 8.6 ± 0.2928 g/dL in the controls. MCH was 21.675 pg compared to 15.556 pg in the controls. Table 2 provides leukocyte parameters: leukocyte counts were 12.0 ± 0.5429 ×10⁹/L  for the envenomated group and 12.12 ± 0.2419 ×10⁹/L for controls. Monocyte levels were 0.0 ± 0.00% in the envenomated group versus 1.6 ± 0.2844% in the controls. These findings suggest the venom of Echis ocellatus induces significant hematotoxicity, with pathological involvement of the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen.