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Microorganisms Jan 2024The diagnostic tests available to identify vector-borne pathogens have major limitations. Clinicians must consider an assortment of often diverse symptoms to decide what...
The diagnostic tests available to identify vector-borne pathogens have major limitations. Clinicians must consider an assortment of often diverse symptoms to decide what pathogen or pathogens to suspect and test for. Even then, there are limitations to the currently available indirect detection methods, such as serology, or direct detection methods such as molecular tests with or without culture enrichment. spp., which are considered stealth pathogens, are particularly difficult to detect and diagnose. We present a case report of a patient who experienced a spider bite followed by myalgia, lymphadenopathy, and trouble sleeping. She did not test positive for spp. through clinically available testing. Her symptoms progressed and she was told she needed a double hip replacement. Prior to the surgery, her blood was submitted for novel molecular testing, where spp. was confirmed, and a spirochete was also detected. Additional testing using novel methods over a period of five years found and in her blood. This patient's case is an example of why new diagnostic methods for vector-borne pathogens are urgently needed and why new knowledge of the variable manifestations of Bartonellosis need to be provided to the medical community to inform and heighten their index of suspicion.
PubMed: 38276194
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010209 -
Epidemiologia E Servicos de Saude :... 2024To describe accidents involving brown spider (genus Loxosceles) bites notified by the Pernambuco Poison Information and Care Center (CIATox-PE), Brazil, from January...
OBJECTIVE
To describe accidents involving brown spider (genus Loxosceles) bites notified by the Pernambuco Poison Information and Care Center (CIATox-PE), Brazil, from January 2018 to December 2022.
METHODS
This was a case series study of brown spider bites notified by the CIATox-PE.
RESULTS
The study included 22 cases with median age of 35 years, the majority being female (13); the cases occurred in rural and urban areas (12 versus 10), at night (10); Petrolina was the municipality with the highest number of notifications (6); spider bites occurred mainly in the lower (11) and upper (9) limbs, almost exclusively inside households (21); specific serum therapy was not indicated for 8 cases because the time for its effectiveness had already elapsed.
CONCLUSION
Loxoscelism cases occurred more frequently in females, in both rural and urban areas and mainly at home, with delays in seeking medical care.
MAIN RESULTS
The 22 cases described represent an alert for the presence of a venomous species not reported in previous studies in Pernambuco. The severity of cases may be associated with delays in seeking medical care, especially due to the population's lack of information.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES
Identify the presence of brown spiders in households in the region and the potential severity of poisonings. Alert health professionals to recognize the clinical picture with a view to appropriate early treatment.
PERSPECTIVES
Develop research on poisoning by venomous animals and educational actions alerting the population to prevent these accidents and updating health professionals on care.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Female; Adult; Male; Spider Bites; Brazil; Spiders
PubMed: 38232241
DOI: 10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e2023568.en -
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 -
Cureus Oct 2023Loxoscelism-associated hemolytic anemia is a rare but critical complication of brown recluse spider bites. It may lead to various systemic manifestations, including...
Loxoscelism-associated hemolytic anemia is a rare but critical complication of brown recluse spider bites. It may lead to various systemic manifestations, including jaundice, dark urine, and anemia-related symptoms, in addition to general loxoscelism symptoms such as skin lesions, fever, myalgia, nausea, and vomiting. Prompt diagnosis is crucial and requires recognizing typical laboratory findings such as low hemoglobin, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, reduced haptoglobin levels, and possibly a positive direct antiglobulin test. There is no definitive guideline for the treatment of loxoscelism-associated hemolytic anemia. we report a case of a 32-year-old female who developed severe Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia following a brown recluse spider bite, with an improvement in hemoglobin levels and hemolysis indices after the administration of systemic corticosteroids.
PubMed: 38021570
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47424 -
Indian Pediatrics Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Hemolysis; Skin; Skin Diseases; Spider Bites
PubMed: 37950477
DOI: No ID Found -
Cureus Oct 2023Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a syndrome associated with a high short-term mortality rate. Severe systemic inflammation and single- and multiple-organ failure are a...
Acute-on-chronic liver failure is a syndrome associated with a high short-term mortality rate. Severe systemic inflammation and single- and multiple-organ failure are a hallmark of this syndrome, with pro-inflammatory precipitating events occurring in the liver or extrahepatic regions. We report a case of a 69-year-old man with a previous diagnosis of alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis who presented with a poorly defined, erythematous-purplish, and edematous plaque with multiple hemorrhagic blisters over the left leg, one day after receiving a spider bite. During the following hours, the skin lesion progressed, and the patient developed hepatic encephalopathy, respiratory failure, and arterial hypotension, requiring the administration of vasopressors; blood analysis revealed hypercreatininemia, an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) value, and hyperbilirubinemia. The patient was diagnosed with acute-on-chronic liver failure caused by cutaneous loxoscelism. There was no hemolytic anemia, rhabdomyolysis, or disseminated intravascular coagulation in the patient, thus excluding the possibility of visceral loxoscelism.
PubMed: 37927720
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46540 -
Federal Practitioner : For the Health... Aug 2023Approaches to chronic wound care are worlds apart: In developing nations, the care of chronic wounds often involves traditional management with local products (eg,...
BACKGROUND
Approaches to chronic wound care are worlds apart: In developing nations, the care of chronic wounds often involves traditional management with local products (eg, honey, boiled potato peels, aloe vera gel, banana leaves); whereas in developed nations, more expensive and technologically advanced products are available (eg, wound vacuum, saline wound chamber, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, antibacterial foam). The cost for wound care plays a significant role in total health care costs, and that cost is expected to rise dramatically.
CASE PRESENTATION
A healthy, 60-year-old man presented after being bitten by a spider 6 days earlier. He was treated and prescribed clindamycin 300 mg 4 times daily for 14 days. Despite treatment, the wound continued to enlarge, and the patient showed symptoms of septicemia. The patient was admitted to the hospital and remained for 3 days. On discharge the patient was given a prescription for doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 10 days and instructed to use iodoform gauze to pack the wound during daily dressing changes. However, the gauze was ineffective. The patient's dressing was switched to an antibacterial foam dressing impregnated with gentian violet and methylene blue.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a disparity in available wound care product availability. Modern products may yield faster healing times with fewer adverse effects than traditional products. Products used by local healers can produce satisfactory results when more modern products are unavailable and at a fraction of the cost.
PubMed: 37868254
DOI: 10.12788/fp.0400 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Dec 2023
Topics: Animals; Brown Recluse Spider; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms; Humans; Female; Adult; Spiders
PubMed: 37722666
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0246 -
Cureus Aug 2023Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old male, who was admitted with a spider bite, which caused swelling of the hand and painful muscle spasms along with palpitations....
Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old male, who was admitted with a spider bite, which caused swelling of the hand and painful muscle spasms along with palpitations. The patient made a complete recovery after the administration of intravenous calcium gluconate, followed by oral calcium supplements. Although no specific treatment exists in Sri Lanka for spider bites, calcium supplements can be beneficial for Sri Lankan ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria fasciata) bites.
PubMed: 37692640
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43074 -
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