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Frontiers in Immunology 2024Poisoning by widow-spider (genus ) bites occurs worldwide. The illness, termed latrodectism, can cause severe and persistent pain and can lead to muscle rigidity,...
Poisoning by widow-spider (genus ) bites occurs worldwide. The illness, termed latrodectism, can cause severe and persistent pain and can lead to muscle rigidity, respiratory complications, and cardiac problems. It is a global health challenge especially in developing countries. Equine serum-derived polyclonal anti-sera are commercially available as a medication for patients with latrodectism, but the use of sera imposes potential inherent risks related to its animal origin. The treatment may cause allergic reactions in humans (serum sickness), including anaphylactic shock. Furthermore, equine-derived antivenom is observed to have batch-to-batch variability and poor specificity, as it is always an undefined mix of antibodies. Because latrodectism can be extremely painful but is rarely fatal, the use of antivenom is controversial and only a small fraction of patients is treated. In this work, recombinant human antibodies were selected against alpha-latrotoxin of the European black widow () by phage display from a naïve antibody gene library. Alpha-Latrotoxin (α-LTX) binding scFv were recloned and produced as fully human IgG. A novel alamarBlue assay for venom neutralization was developed and used to select neutralizing IgGs. The human antibodies showed neutralization efficacy both as single antibodies and antibody combinations. This was also confirmed by electrophysiological measurements of neuronal activity in cell culture. The best neutralizing antibodies showed nanomolar affinities. Antibody MRU44-4-A1 showed outstanding neutralization efficacy and affinity to α-LTX. Interestingly, only two of the neutralizing antibodies showed cross-neutralization of the venom of the Southern black widow (). This was unexpected, because in the current literature the alpha-latrotoxins are described as highly conserved. The here-engineered antibodies are candidates for future development as potential therapeutics and diagnostic tools, as they for the first time would provide unlimited supply of a chemically completely defined drug of constant quality and efficacy, which is also made without the use of animals.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Black Widow Spider; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Spider Venoms; Antivenins; Single-Chain Antibodies; Spider Bites; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 38933276
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1407398 -
JPRAS Open Sep 2024Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is a critical component of breast cancer treatment, aimed at improving patient quality of life. However, the management is...
BACKGROUND
Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is a critical component of breast cancer treatment, aimed at improving patient quality of life. However, the management is fraught with potential complications, including skin necrosis and wound dehiscence, which can significantly impact clinical outcomes.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report a unique case of a patient, 5 years post-breast reconstruction following mastectomy and radiation therapy, who developed severe skin necrosis and wound dehiscence due to a brown recluse spider bite on the reconstructed breast. The complication necessitated the debridement of skin, removal of the implant, and further reconstruction with a latissimus flap.
DISCUSSION
The case underscores the unusual etiology of spider bite-induced necrosis in breast reconstruction and highlights the challenges and strategic considerations in managing such complications. Upon presentation, the patient's affected breast area showed signs of extensive necrosis and wound dehiscence, directly attributed to the cytotoxic effects of the brown recluse spider's venom. The venom's pathophysiology involves a complex cascade, leading to local and systemic effects. The local effects, marked by dermonecrosis, com- promised skin integrity in this instance. Systemic effects, not observed in this patient but potentially severe, can include hemolysis, coagulopathy, and acute renal failure, highlighting the seriousness of brown recluse spider bites.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this case illustrates the complexities of managing breast reconstruction post-mastectomy complications, particularly those caused by external factors such as brown recluse spider bites. It highlights the need for meticulous attention to unusual etiologies of necrosis and dehiscence, demonstrating the importance of adaptable surgical strategies and a thorough understanding of venom pathophysiology in ensuring successful patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38911670
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2024.05.008 -
Cureus May 2024is an arachnid genus comprising several species in the United States, popularly known as brown recluse spiders. The venom is cytotoxic, complex, and has a mixture of...
is an arachnid genus comprising several species in the United States, popularly known as brown recluse spiders. The venom is cytotoxic, complex, and has a mixture of many proteins, some of which function as proteases. Envenomation can cause necrotic skin lesions that may become extensive and take many months to heal. Even more rarely, venom may cause systemic effects, leading to widespread hemolysis, coagulopathy, and death. These symptoms typically occur rapidly within 24-48 hours following the bite. We describe a rare case of a 44-year-old male with fatal systemic loxoscelism with orbital compartment syndrome requiring emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis.
PubMed: 38910721
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60943 -
Transfusion and Apheresis Science :... Jun 2024Brown recluse spider bites can lead to severe reactions such as skin necrosis,hemolytic anemia, and multiorgan failure, which can be life-threatening. Therapeutic plasma...
Brown recluse spider bites can lead to severe reactions such as skin necrosis,hemolytic anemia, and multiorgan failure, which can be life-threatening. Therapeutic plasma exchange has been reported to provide clinical benefit for such cases. In thisreport, we present a case of a brown recluse spider bite that was successfully treated with therapeutic plasma exchange and compare it with previous case reports.
PubMed: 38885577
DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2024.103960 -
European Journal of Case Reports in... 2024Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to a condition of prolonged increased body temperature, without identified causes. The most common cause of FUO worldwide are...
INTRODUCTION
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to a condition of prolonged increased body temperature, without identified causes. The most common cause of FUO worldwide are infections; arthropod bites (loxoscelism) should be considered in view of the spread of the fiddleback spider. Loxoscelism can present in a cutaneous form (a necrotic cutaneous ulcer) or in a systemic form with fever, haemolytic anaemia, rhabdomyolysis and, rarely, macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). For this suspicion, it is important to have actually seen the spider.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 71-year-old man was admitted to our department because of intermittent fever, arthralgia and a necrotic skin lesion on his right forearm that appeared after gardening. Laboratory tests were negative for infectious diseases, and several courses of antibiotics were administered empirically without clinical benefit. Whole-body computed tomography showed multiple colliquative lymphadenomegalies, the largest one in the right axilla, presumably of reactive significance. A shave biopsy of the necrotic lesion was performed: culture tests were negative and histological examination showed non-specific necrotic material, so a second skin and lymph node biopsy was performed. The patient developed MAS for which he received corticosteroid therapy with clinical/laboratory benefit. Cutaneous and systemic loxoscelism complicated by MAS was diagnosed. Subsequently, the second biopsy revealed morphological and immunophenotypic findings consistent with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL).
CONCLUSIONS
Skin lesions and lymphadenomegalies of unknown origin should always be biopsied. It is very common to get indeterminate results, but this does not justify not repeating the procedure to avoid misdiagnosis.
LEARNING POINTS
In case of necrotic skin lesions with fever, malignancy (and in particular cutaneous lymphoma) should always be considered.Misdiagnosis of loxoscelism is common. Definitive diagnosis requires the identification of the responsible spider.It is frequent to obtain inconclusive results from biopsies, but this does not justify not repeating the procedure to avoid misdiagnosis.
PubMed: 38846654
DOI: 10.12890/2024_004440 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jun 2024The impact of Covid-19 on envenomations by venomous animals in countries heavily affected by both conditions has not been quantified yet. Brazil shows high incidence of...
The impact of Covid-19 on envenomations by venomous animals in countries heavily affected by both conditions has not been quantified yet. Brazil shows high incidence of envenomations by scorpions, spiders and snakes and was heavily affected by waves of Covid-19. To determine how the pandemic impacted the epidemiology of envenomations by those three groups of venomous animals, we used online databases from two surveillance sources on number of cases and mortality. During the years before and during the pandemic, scorpion stings typically occurred in adults of both sexes in urban zones in the Southeast and Northeast regions. Spider bites occurred mainly in the South region, in adults of both sexes in urban zone. Snakebites affected mainly rural adult men in the Amazon. Between 2007 and 2021, overall incidence of cases by scorpions, spiders and snakes decreased after the beginning of the pandemic, snakebites did not show changes after the pandemic started in Brazil, but cases by scorpions and spiders decreased. No changes in the incidence of deaths were observed. On national level, Covid-19 affected some demographic, clinical and epidemiological aspects in cases by scorpions, spiders and snakes.
Topics: Brazil; COVID-19; Humans; Snake Bites; Animals; Male; Female; Adult; Incidence; Scorpion Stings; Spider Bites; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; SARS-CoV-2; Scorpions; Snakes; Pandemics; Aged
PubMed: 38795850
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107776 -
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 -
BMC Women's Health May 2024Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ghana and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Few published empirical evidence exist on...
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ghana and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Few published empirical evidence exist on cultural beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Ghana. This systematic review sought to map evidence on the socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions influencing the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among Ghanaian women.
METHODS
This review was conducted following the methodological guideline of Joanna Briggs Institute and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies that were conducted on cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs were included. The included studies were screened by title, abstract, and full text by three reviewers. Data were charted and results were presented in a narrative synthesis form.
RESULTS
After the title, abstract, and full-text screening, 15 studies were included. Three categories were identified after the synthesis of the charted data. The categories included: cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs and misconceptions about breast cancer. The cultural beliefs included ancestral punishment and curses from the gods for wrongdoing leading to breast cancer. Spiritual beliefs about breast cancer were attributed to spiritual or supernatural forces. People had the religious belief that breast cancer is a test from God and they resorted to prayers for healing. Some women perceived that breast cancer is caused by spider bites, heredity, extreme stress, trauma, infections, diet, or lifestyle.
CONCLUSION
This study adduces evidence of the socio-cultural beliefs that impact on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among women in Ghana. Taking into consideration the diverse cultural and traditional beliefs about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, there is a compelling need to intensify nationwide public education on breast cancer to clarify the myths and misconceptions about the disease. We recommend the need to incorporate socio-cultural factors influencing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment into breast cancer awareness programs, education, and interventions in Ghana.
Topics: Humans; Female; Ghana; Breast Neoplasms; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Culture; Spirituality
PubMed: 38745160
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03106-y -
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y... May 2024
PubMed: 38734589
DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2024.05.002 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology May 2024Tarantulas are one of the largest predatory arthropods in tropical regions. Tarantulas though not lethal to humans, their venomous bite kills small animals and insect...
AIM
Tarantulas are one of the largest predatory arthropods in tropical regions. Tarantulas though not lethal to humans, their venomous bite kills small animals and insect upon which they prey. To understand the abiotic and biotic components involved in Neotropical tarantula bites, we conducted a venom-microbiomics study in eight species from Costa Rica.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We determined that the toxin profiles of tarantula venom are highly diverse using shotgun proteomics; the most frequently encountered toxins were ω-Ap2 toxin, neprilysin-1, and several teraphotoxins. Through culture-independent and culture-dependent methods, we determined the microbiota present in the venom and excreta to evaluate the presence of pathogens that could contribute to primary infections in animals, including humans. The presence of opportunistic pathogens with hemolytic activity was observed, with a prominence of Stenotrophomonas in the venoms. Other bacteria found in venoms and excreta with hemolytic activity included members of the genera Serratia, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Microbacterium, and Morganella.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data shed light on the venom- and gut-microbiome associated with Neotropical tarantulas. This information may be useful for treating bites from these arthropods in both humans and farm animals, while also providing insight into the toxins and biodiversity of this little-explored microenvironment.
Topics: Animals; Spiders; Spider Venoms; Costa Rica; Bacteria; Proteomics; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Microbiota
PubMed: 38692848
DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae113