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Revista de Neurologia Oct 2016Tarantism is the disease caused by the bite of the tarantula, in which the music tarantella triggers an involuntary dance. It is known in Italy since the sixteenth... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Tarantism is the disease caused by the bite of the tarantula, in which the music tarantella triggers an involuntary dance. It is known in Italy since the sixteenth century.
AIM
To analyze the tarantism reported in Spain at the end of the eighteenth century, with special attention to its neurological aspects, and to propose its medical and psychopathological explanation.
DEVELOPMENT
An epidemic of people affected by the tarantula bite occurred in Spain in 1782. Spanish doctors described appropriately the clinical effects, identical to those produced by the bite of the spider black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus), which was at that time identified as a tarantula. The cases reported by Francisco Xavier Cid cured with the involuntary dance triggered by the tarantella, as was described in Italy since the sixteenth century. Our interpretation is that this curative effect of dance in Spain was induced by suggestion. In Spanish patients there were no behavioral disturbances, periodic recurrences or collective involvement as those reported by Italian authors, which suggest an hysterical phenomenon, probably a continuation of the dancing mania of the Middle Age.
CONCLUSIONS
Tarantism reported in Spain in the eighteenth century includes two different phenomena: the systemic symptoms produced by the tarantula bite, which is actually latrodectism, and the curative effect of the tarantella, explained by suggestion. The psychiatric disturbances, with a hysterical nature, falsely associated to the tarantula bite, observed in Italy, were not present among the Spanish cases of tarantism in the eighteenth century.
Topics: Dance Therapy; History, 18th Century; Humans; Spain; Spider Bites
PubMed: 27699754
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of International Medical... Aug 2023A brown recluse spider (BRS) bite is challenging to confirm, but may be clinically diagnosed by considering the location, the season of the year, and the clinical... (Review)
Review
A brown recluse spider (BRS) bite is challenging to confirm, but may be clinically diagnosed by considering the location, the season of the year, and the clinical manifestations. Here, the case of a 26-year-old male who presented after an insect bite with a skin lesion, bruising, severe swelling, and diffuse blisters on the right lower extremity after three days, is described. Following clinical examination, patient history assessment, and consideration of other relevant factors, the patient received a differential diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis caused by BRS bite. Although spider bite poisoning is rare, proper diagnosis and management are important because, in some cases, the outcomes may be devastating.
Topics: Male; Animals; Brown Recluse Spider; Spider Bites; Skin Diseases; Fasciitis, Necrotizing; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 37565672
DOI: 10.1177/03000605231157284 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2023is often used in Chinese medicine to treat conditions such as carbuncles, trauma, snake bites, and mosquito bites. In the present study, we investigated the effect and...
is often used in Chinese medicine to treat conditions such as carbuncles, trauma, snake bites, and mosquito bites. In the present study, we investigated the effect and mechanism of the morphological transition and extracellular phospholipase activity of treated with polyphyllin I (PPI). First, the minimum inhibitory concentration and antifungal activity of PPI were evaluated using the multiple microdilution method and time-killing assays. Then, the effect of PPI on the morphological transition of in Spider liquid medium and Sabouraud-dextrose liquid medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum was observed under an inverted microscope and by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, egg yolk agar plates were used to evaluate extracellular phospholipase activity. Gene expression was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Our results suggest that PPI inhibited the transition from the yeast to the hyphal stage and decreased secreted aspartyl proteinase activity. We further confirmed that PPI significantly downregulated the expression of extracellular phospholipase genes and cAMP-PKA signaling pathway-related genes. Taken together, our results suggest that PPI exerts anti- activity by inhibiting virulence characteristics, including the yeast-to-hyphal transition and the secretion of aspartyl proteases and phospholipases. The study results also indicated that PPI could be a promising therapeutic strategy for .
PubMed: 36726525
DOI: 10.1155/2023/5645500 -
Clinical Case Reports Apr 2017The true danger of the spider bite stems from misdiagnosis and resultant delay in proper treatment of entities that, unlike spider bites, are not self-limited. Obtaining...
The true danger of the spider bite stems from misdiagnosis and resultant delay in proper treatment of entities that, unlike spider bites, are not self-limited. Obtaining a complete exposure and travel history is central to the development of an accurate and appropriate differential diagnosis.
PubMed: 28396776
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.882 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jan 2020Loxosceles spp. (Araneae, Sicariidae), known as brown spiders, are distributed in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Accidents caused by these spiders are known... (Review)
Review
Loxosceles spp. (Araneae, Sicariidae), known as brown spiders, are distributed in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Accidents caused by these spiders are known as loxoscelism and constitute a public health problem, especially in Brazil. The present review describes the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological profile of brown spiders, as well as the molecular and biochemical aspects of Loxosceles venom. Additionally, it presents an overview on L. similis, a species found in the Southeastern region of Brazil. In this region, the number of Loxosceles accidents has been increasing in the past few years, thus calling attention to its raising importance as a medically relevant spider species in Brazil.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms; Spiders
PubMed: 31726080
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.11.002 -
Journal of Wound Care Sep 2021Spider bites are common worldwide. Frequently symptoms resolve without any adverse outcome, but in rare cases the bite can cause severe morbidity. The most typical...
INTRODUCTION
Spider bites are common worldwide. Frequently symptoms resolve without any adverse outcome, but in rare cases the bite can cause severe morbidity. The most typical presentation of Mediterranean recluse spider () bite is a dermatonecrotic lesion of the skin (skin loxoscelism). When the only manifestation of a spider bite is an ulcerated skin lesion, clinical suspicion and differential diagnosis strongly depend on its site. We present the case of an ulcerated wound of the breast, diagnosed as a Mediterranean recluse spider bite.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 79-year-old woman presented a 10cm-wide soft tissue ulceration of her left breast. At first, the diagnostic hypothesis of an ulcerated cancer was ruled out. Two family members revealed a recent history of Mediterranean recluse spider bite and the same clinical diagnosis was made for our patient. A wide excision was performed, with complete resolution of symptoms.
DISCUSSION
No specific diagnostic criteria for spider bites are available. Diagnosis is usually clinical. Skin loxoscelism could be easily mistaken for cellulitis, various types of skin infections, cutaneous anthrax, vasculitis, scorpion sting, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema migrans of Lyme disease or prurigo nodularis. A thorough anamnestic interview is fundamental to raise the diagnostic hypothesis. When possible, a biopsy is recommended and it is extremely important when the ulcer can mimic a cancer, as is the case in breast tissue.
CONCLUSION
We recommend a wide excision of the wound after failure of conservative treatment, in order to obtain local control and to perform histological examination on a more representative specimen.
Topics: Aged; Breast; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Pyoderma Gangrenosum; Skin; Ulcer
PubMed: 34597171
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2021.30.Sup9a.XII -
Journal of Medical Cases Nov 2023Spiders are the most numerous arthropods of the arachnid class. More than 45 thousand species of spiders have been identified, and only a few are dangerous to humans....
Spiders are the most numerous arthropods of the arachnid class. More than 45 thousand species of spiders have been identified, and only a few are dangerous to humans. Among them, the "violin spider" or "brown spider" of the genus (family Sicariidae) has a worldwide distribution, and its bite can cause loxoscelism. Initial treatment of a spider bite includes application of local cold, rest, elevation of the extremity if possible, and systemic pharmacotherapy with antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, polymorphonuclear inhibitors, and analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. During cutaneous or systemic loxoscelism, administration of antivenom (immunoglobulin (Ig)G F(ab')2 fragments) may be indicated to prevent progression to severe systemic phases. In this manuscript, we present three cases of patients with loxoscelism treated with the fabotherapeutic Reclusmyn, developed and manufactured in Mexico. Two patients had a satisfactory outcome without severe skin or systemic damage. Only one patient with loxoscelism, despite early initiation of antivenom, had extensive skin lesions that healed satisfactorily, leaving only a non-disabling scar. Due to the global presence of this clinical problem, further studies are needed to establish local and general guidelines for the treatment and prevention of loxoscelism. This will allow health professionals to provide more efficient and higher quality medical care and feel supported in their decisions.
PubMed: 38029054
DOI: 10.14740/jmc4163 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2021Mistaken beliefs about danger posed by feared stimuli are considered a key factor causing and maintaining fears. Such beliefs are intriguing because many fearful people...
Mistaken beliefs about danger posed by feared stimuli are considered a key factor causing and maintaining fears. Such beliefs are intriguing because many fearful people express them, but acknowledge they are untrue in reality. While previous research indicates fearful individuals may not wholly endorse their beliefs about objective threats (e.g., the spider will bite), expectations of negative subjective consequences (e.g., I will feel terrible) are also likely to be important. We investigated the extent to which participants' expectations of objective and subjective threats were sensitive to manipulations that encouraged them to consider whether their expectations were likely to happen in reality. Across five online experiments (N = 560, or 727 with more liberal inclusion criteria), such manipulations produced lower expectancy ratings for objective but not subjective threats (versus participants who gave ratings without the manipulation). Most participants reported that anticipation of negative feelings was more concerning than actual danger. Hence, numerous fear-relevant expectations about objective threat-considered central in understanding why people are irrationally afraid-respond to small cognitive manipulations. Additionally, expectations of negative subjective experiences during fear-provoking encounters appear to be more consistently endorsed, and feature prominently in fearful individuals' concerns about what will happen in a fear-relevant situation.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Fear; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Needles; Phobic Disorders; Snakes; Spiders; Young Adult
PubMed: 34675285
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00317-3 -
Toxins May 2022Bites of brown spiders ( spp.) are responsible for dermonecrotic lesions and potentially systemic envenoming that can lead to death. The only effective therapy is the...
Bites of brown spiders ( spp.) are responsible for dermonecrotic lesions and potentially systemic envenoming that can lead to death. The only effective therapy is the use of the antivenom, usually produced in horses. However, little is known about the consequences of the systematic use of the venom and adjuvants and of the bleedings on antivenom-producing horses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical changes in horses in their first immunization protocol for antivenom production. Eleven healthy horses, never immunized, were evaluated in three different periods: T0 (before immunization); T1 (after their first venom immunization); and T2 (after their first bleeding). Horses were clinically evaluated, sampled for blood, and underwent electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Several suppurated subcutaneous abscesses occurred due to the use of Freund's adjuvants and thrombophlebitis due to systematic venipunctures for the bleeding procedures. ECG showed arrhythmias in few horses in T2, such as an increase in T and R waves. In summary, the immunization protocol impacted on horses' health, especially after bleeding for antivenom procurement.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Horses; Immunization; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Spider Venoms; Spiders
PubMed: 35622586
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050338 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024
Topics: Humans; Erythema; Spider Bites; Male; Face; Female; Adult
PubMed: 38766559
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.106.42863