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Lancet (London, England) Dec 2011Spiders are a source of intrigue and fear, and several myths exist about their medical effects. Many people believe that bites from various spider species cause necrotic... (Review)
Review
Spiders are a source of intrigue and fear, and several myths exist about their medical effects. Many people believe that bites from various spider species cause necrotic ulceration, despite evidence that most suspected cases of necrotic arachnidism are caused by something other than a spider bite. Latrodectism and loxoscelism are the most important clinical syndromes resulting from spider bite. Latrodectism results from bites by widow spiders (Latrodectus spp) and causes local, regional, or generalised pain associated with non-specific symptoms and autonomic effects. Loxoscelism is caused by Loxosceles spp, and the cutaneous form manifests as pain and erythema that can develop into a necrotic ulcer. Systemic loxoscelism is characterised by intravascular haemolysis and renal failure on occasion. Other important spiders include the Australian funnel-web spider (Atrax spp and Hadronyche spp) and the armed spider (Phoneutria spp) from Brazil. Antivenoms are an important treatment for spider envenomation but have been less successful than have those for snake envenomation, with concerns about their effectiveness for both latrodectism and loxoscelism.
Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Antivenins; Black Widow Spider; Ecchymosis; Erythema; Fatigue; Headache; Humans; Hyperhidrosis; Male; Nausea; Necrosis; Pain; Paralysis; Priapism; Skin; Skin Ulcer; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms; Vomiting
PubMed: 21762981
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62230-1 -
Cutis Nov 1995
Review
Topics: Adult; Animals; Black Widow Spider; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Spider Bites; Spiders
PubMed: 8565608
DOI: No ID Found -
Nursing Feb 2013
Topics: Adult; Animals; Emergency Nursing; Female; Humans; Nursing Assessment; Spider Bites
PubMed: 23353921
DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000425976.60451.e2 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Nov 2021
Topics: Animals; Female; Fingers; Humans; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Spider Bites; Spiders
PubMed: 34758255
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm2108561 -
Annals of Emergency Medicine Jul 2009
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Spider Bites; Spiders; Thumb
PubMed: 19541042
DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2008.11.022 -
Australian Family Physician Dec 1997Spider bite is one of the most common envenomation problems in Australia. Australia is home to two spiders of major medical importance; the Sydney funnel web spider and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spider bite is one of the most common envenomation problems in Australia. Australia is home to two spiders of major medical importance; the Sydney funnel web spider and the redback spider.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the features of envenomation and discusses treatment for bites by the Sydney funnel web spider and the redback spider. Bites by other spiders are also discussed, as is the problem of necrotising arachnidism.
DISCUSSION
It is hoped that the information contained within this article will be of help to medical practitioners dealing with spiderbite throughout Australia. There is, as yet, a great deal to be learned about spiderbite, particularly necrotising arachnidism.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Australia; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Necrosis; Risk Factors; Skin; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms; Spiders
PubMed: 9470291
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Dermatology Jul 2019
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bandages; Collagenases; Debridement; Face; Female; Humans; Italy; Middle Aged; Necrosis; Ointments; Skin; Skin Ulcer; Spider Bites; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 30578536
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14323 -
The Medical Journal of Australia Aug 2003
Topics: Animals; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Necrosis; Skin; Spider Bites; Spiders
PubMed: 12914504
DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05493.x -
The black widow spider bite: differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options.The Journal of the Louisiana State... 2015Unrecognized and untreated black widow spider bites cause significant pain, impairment, and rarely death. The widow venom, a powerful neurotoxin known as a-latrotoxin,... (Review)
Review
Unrecognized and untreated black widow spider bites cause significant pain, impairment, and rarely death. The widow venom, a powerful neurotoxin known as a-latrotoxin, causes muscle pain, diaphoresis, tachycardia, flushing, and hypertension. Treatment is usually symptomatic with a combination of opioid analgesics and muscle relaxants. If symptom resolution fails, an equine IgG antiserum is available, but a high index of clinical suspicion coupled with a knowledgeable patient history often allows successful treatment, especially when the treating physician possesses awareness of this type of bite and its usual course and possible complications.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Black Widow Spider; Female; Horses; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms
PubMed: 25978056
DOI: No ID Found -
The Medical Journal of Australia Apr 2005To investigate species-specific envenoming rates and spectrum of severity of funnel-web spider bites, and the efficacy and adverse effects of funnel-web spider antivenom. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
OBJECTIVE
To investigate species-specific envenoming rates and spectrum of severity of funnel-web spider bites, and the efficacy and adverse effects of funnel-web spider antivenom.
DATA SOURCES
Cases were identified from a prospective study of spider bite presenting to four major hospitals and three state poisons information centres (1999-2003); museum records of spider specimens since 1926; NSW Poisons Information Centre database; MEDLINE and EMBASE search; clinical toxinology textbooks; the media; and the manufacturer's reports of antivenom use.
DATA EXTRACTION
Patient age and sex, geographical location, month, expert identification of the spider, clinical effects and management; envenoming was classified as severe, mild-moderate or minor/local effects.
DATA SYNTHESIS
198 potential funnel-web spider bites were identified: 138 were definite (spider expertly identified to species or genus), and 77 produced severe envenoming. All species-identified severe cases were attributed to one of six species restricted to NSW and southern Queensland. Rates of severe envenoming were: Hadronyche cerberea (75%), H. formidabilis (63%), Atrax robustus (17%), Hadronyche sp. 14 (17%), H. infensa (14%) and H. versuta (11%). Antivenom was used in 75 patients, including 22 children (median dose, 3 ampoules; range, 1-17), with a complete response in 97% of expertly identified cases. Three adverse reactions were reported, all in adults: two early allergic reactions (one mild and one with severe systemic effects requiring adrenaline), and one case of serum sickness.
CONCLUSIONS
Severe funnel-web spider envenoming is confined to NSW and southern Queensland; tree-dwelling funnel webs (H. cerberea and H. formidabilis) have the highest envenoming rates. Funnel-web spider antivenom appears effective and safe; severe allergic reactions are uncommon.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Antivenins; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Surveys; Humans; New South Wales; Northern Territory; Polyamines; Prospective Studies; Queensland; Species Specificity; Spider Bites; Western Australia
PubMed: 15850438
DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06760.x