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Biomedical subjects

R S Vetter

Publications and source records attributed to R S Vetter.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) envenomation.

Four cases of envenomation by green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) are reported. Despite the unusual appearance and occasional aggressive behavior of this spider, envenomation caused only local pain, pruritus, erythema, and induration. No local necrosis or systemic symptoms occurred. Treatment included tetanus immunization, wound care, and symptomatic therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Mass envenomations by honey bees and wasps.

Stinging events involving honey bees and wasps are rare; most deaths or clinically important incidents involve very few stings (< 10) and anaphylactic shock. However, mass stinging events can prove life-threatening via the toxic action of the venom when injected in large amounts. With the advent of the Africanized honey bee in the southwestern United States and its potential for further spread, mass envenomation incidents will increase. Here we review the literature on mass stinging events involving honey bees and wasps (i.e., yellowjackets, wasps, and hornets). Despite different venom composition in the two insect groups, both may cause systemic damage and involve hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. Victim death may occur due to renal failure or cardiac complications. With supportive care, however, most victims should be able to survive attacks from hundreds of wasps or approximately 1000 honey bees.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1998

Envenomation by a spider, Agelenopsis aperta (family: Agelenidae) previously considered harmless.

This is the first report of clinically significant bites by the grass spider (Agelenopsis aperta). Two cases of envenomation in southern California are presented. In the more serious case, a child exhibited several envenomation symptoms. Although this spider may be generally innocuous, it should be considered as a creature of occasional medical importance. Many skin lesions are attributed to spider bites despite insufficient incriminating evidence, and bites that are clinically significant may often erroneously be attributed to the brown recluse spider. Misidentification can lead to undue anxiety in a patient's family.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Removing bee stings.

BACKGROUND: Conventional advice on immediate treatment of honey-bee stings has emphasised that the sting should be scraped off, never pinched. The morphology of the sting suggested little basis for this advice, which is likely to slow down removal of the sting. METHODS: The response to honey-bee stings was assayed with a measurement of the size of the resulting weal. Injection of known quantities of venom showed that this measurement is a good indicator of envenomisation. FINDINGS: Weal size, and thus envenomisation, increased as the time from stinging to removal of the sting increased, even within a few seconds. There was no difference in response between stings scraped or pinched off after 2 s. INTERPRETATION: These data suggest that advice to patients on the immediate treatment of bee stings should emphasise quick removal, without concern for the method of removal.

Animals↗