Hemorrhagic Activity and Hemostatic Alterations Caused by Cerastes cerastes and Daboia mauritanica: Indicators of Viper Bite Severity in Morocco

¹ Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco
² Laboratory of Odontological Biomaterials and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco
³ Laboratory of Chemistry-Biochemistry, Environment, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P 5696, Casablanca, Morocco

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming is a major global public health problem, causing approximately 5 million bites and 150,000 deaths each year, particularly in North Africa, where viper bites lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In Morocco, Cerastes cerastes and Daboia mauritanica are responsible for most severe viper envenomations. Their venoms are complex mixtures of bioactive proteins capable of inducing hemorrhage and profound disturbances in hemostasis. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the hemorrhagic potential and coagulation effects of C. cerastes and D. mauritanica venoms using an experimental mouse model. Venoms were collected, processed, and quantified spectrophotometrically. Systemic toxicity was assessed via intraperitoneal LD₅₀ assays, while local hemorrhagic activity was evaluated by measuring skin lesions following intradermal injection. Hemostatic alterations were analyzed two hours after administration of sublethal venom doses, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration, and platelet counts. Results showed that C. cerastes venom exhibited higher systemic toxicity, stronger local hemorrhagic activity, and more pronounced coagulation disturbances than D. mauritanica. These effects correspond with proteomic data indicating a higher abundance of metalloproteinases and serine proteases in C. cerastes venom. Overall, the findings confirm that C. cerastes envenomation is generally more severe than D. mauritanica bites and provide experimental evidence linking venom composition to hemorrhagic and hemostatic effects. This information may aid in clinical assessment of envenomation severity and support the development of more targeted antivenoms.