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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 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports Jun 2023A brown recluse spider (BRS) bite is challenging to confirm, but can be clinically diagnosed by considering the location, the season of the year and the clinical...
A brown recluse spider (BRS) bite is challenging to confirm, but can be clinically diagnosed by considering the location, the season of the year and the clinical manifestations. We described a 26-year-old male who presented after a BRS bite with a skin lesion, bruising, severe swelling and diffuse blisters on the right lower extremity after 3 days. This case should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Although spider bite poisoning is rare, proper diagnosis and management are important because, in some cases, it can have devastating outcomes.
PubMed: 37360745
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjad357 -
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 -
BMJ Case Reports Apr 2013Black widow spiders (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) are poisonous spiders endemic in Turkey. Latrodectus bites may cause myocarditis with increased cardiac enzymes. We...
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) are poisonous spiders endemic in Turkey. Latrodectus bites may cause myocarditis with increased cardiac enzymes. We treated two men (aged 20 and 33 years) who had myocarditis after black spider bites with leucocytosis and elevated levels of troponin I, creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB fraction. Both patients had normal results on an ECG, and one patient had abnormal echocardiography with minimal left ventricular wall movement disorder. Both patients were hospitalised in the intensive care unit and treated with intravenous fluids, analgesics, spasmolytic drugs, tetanus prophylaxis and cardiac monitoring. The levels of troponin I, creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB fraction improved, and the patients were discharged home on the third and fifth hospital day without complications. Myocarditis after a Latrodectus bite is rare, but may be associated with serious complications. Therefore, in regions endemic with Latrodectus spiders, prudent treatment of spider bites may include cardiac evaluation and monitoring.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Biomarkers; Black Widow Spider; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Humans; Male; Myocarditis; Spider Bites; Spider Venoms
PubMed: 23572268
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-008957 -
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 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2022Brown recluse spider bite releases hemolytic and cytotoxic phospholipase D to the wound that may cause necrosis or even death. We examined diethyl azelate (DEA), a...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Brown recluse spider bite releases hemolytic and cytotoxic phospholipase D to the wound that may cause necrosis or even death. We examined diethyl azelate (DEA), a plasma membrane fluidizer with a broad range of immunomodulatory activities, as a potential treatment for the brown recluse spider bite.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Topical DEA was used in emergency to treat brown recluse spider bites in a human subject. We subsequently evaluated the effects of DEA on hemolysis induced by the brown recluse spider venom, recluse recombinant phospholipase D (rPLD), and venoms from honey bee and moccasin snake, and on phospholipase A2 activity in the bee and snake venoms and in human urine.
RESULTS
Topical DEA resolved the consequences of human brown recluse spider envenomation in two weeks. In vitro, DEA inhibited hemolysis caused by the brown recluse spider venom and rPLD and suppressed phospholipase A2 activity in a dose-dependent manner.
CONCLUSION
DEA is a promising novel therapy for the brown recluse spider bite and perhaps even unrelated envenomations involving PLDs.
Topics: Animals; Brown Recluse Spider; Dicarboxylic Acids; Hemolysis; Necrosis; Spider Bites
PubMed: 34972703
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12679 -
The Permanente Journal 2014During the summer period 2011-2012, seven widow spider bites in Greece were reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Widow spiders (in the...
During the summer period 2011-2012, seven widow spider bites in Greece were reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Widow spiders (in the genus Latrodectus) are found all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US. Alpha-latrotoxin (main mammalian toxin) causes the toxic effects observed in humans. Victims should receive timely medical care to avoid suffering. Latrodectus bites are very rarely fatal. All the patients reported having an insect bite 30 minutes to 2 hours before they arrived at the Emergency Department of the local hospital. Severe muscle cramps, weakness, tremor, abdominal pain, and increased levels of creatinine phosphokinase were present in all patients. The Emergency Operation Center of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention was informed immediately in all cases. Antivenin was administered to four patients upon the request of their physicians. All patients recovered fully. It is essential that health care workers recognize early the symptoms and signs of Latrodectus bites to provide the necessary care. The management of mild to moderate Latrodectus envenomations is primarily supportive. Hospitalization and possibly antivenin should be reserved for patients exhibiting serious systemic symptoms or inadequate pain control. The most important thing for all of these patients is early pain relief.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Black Widow Spider; Child, Preschool; Female; Greece; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Spider Bites; Young Adult
PubMed: 25662533
DOI: 10.7812/TPP/14-028