Quantitation of Indian Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Venom in Human Specimens of Forensic Origin by Indirect Competitive Inhibition Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Abstract

Abstract An indirect competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was reported to detect krait venom in human specimens of forensic origin. Polyclonal anti-krait venom antibodies were characterized by indirect antibody capture assay. The calibration plot was constructed based on linear regression analysis (y = 72.85 12.29x, r2 = 0.98) with concentration ranges from 0.013 to 1000 ng/well of krait venom with a limit of detection of 0.2 ng/mL in the assay system. The IC50 (inhibitory concentration at 50% displacement) value of krait venom was observed to be 70 ng. Spiking studies indicated recoveries of 95100% and 94100% when various concentrations of krait venom were spiked to rat tissues (skin, liver, and kidneys) and pooled human serum, respectively. Polyclonal anti-krait venom antibodies showed no cross-reactivity with cobra and viper venom when tested in the assay system. The coefficient of variation of various concentrations of working range in intra-assay (n = 6) was <5%, whereas in interassay (n = 6) it was observed to be 7%. Further, the method was used to quantitate krait venom in human autopsy and biopsy specimens of forensic origin. Concentration of krait venom was found to be in the range of 4172 ng/100 mg skin or skin scrapings and 64378 ng/mL blood or serum. The methodology may find application in forensic laboratories to assess the cause of death in the cases of krait-bite victims.