PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Spider Bites”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

The global epidemiology, syndromic classification, management, and prevention of spider bites.

Spiders are carnivorous arthropods that coexist with humans and ambush or ensnare prey. Unlike other arthropods, spiders rarely transmit communicable diseases, and play a critical role in the ecosystem by consuming other arthropods that frequently transmit human diseases, such as mosquitoes and flies. There are more than 30,000 species of spiders, most of which are venomous, but they cannot inflict serious bites due to delicate mouthparts and short fangs. The differential diagnosis of spider bites is extensive and includes other arthropod bites, skin infections, and exposure to chemical or physical agents. However, approximately 200 species from 20 genera of spiders worldwide can cause severe human envenomings, with dermonecrosis, systemic toxicity, and death. Spider bites can usually be prevented by simple personal and domestic measures. Early species identification and specific management may help prevent serious sequelae of spider bites.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Spider bites.

Spiders are a ubiquitous component of the fauna of North America. At least 50 to 60 species in the United States are known to bite humans, although in most cases, the diagnosis is never suspected nor is treatment necessary. A few species of spiders are capable of causing necrotic wounds and, occasionally, death. This review is intended to provide an overview of the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of spider bites, as well as a compilation of the many species of spiders that have been reported to give clinically important bites.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Spider bite--the redback spider and its relatives.

BACKGROUND: Redback spider bite is thought to be the commonest serious spider bite in Australia. The treatment for the envenomation syndrome it causes, termed 'latrodectism', is the most frequently used antivenom in Australia. Several cases of a 'latrodectism-like' illness after cupboard spider bites ('steatodism') have also appeared to respond to redback antivenom. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the key presenting features of redback spider envenomation and discusses treatment for bites by this spider and that of its close relatives, the cupboard spider. It is intended that this information will assist general practitioners in the diagnosis and management of spider bite in Australia. DISCUSSION: Redback spider antivenom is safe and appears to be broadly cross reactive with the venom of other spiders of the Theridiidae family. Guidelines for the use of this product are also provided.

Antivenins↗
PubMed2002

A prospective study of 750 definite spider bites, with expert spider identification.

BACKGROUND: Spider bite is a subject of much medical mythology with prevalent fears that spiders cause severe envenoming, with neurotoxic effects or necrotic ulcers. Clinical experience and small studies suggest otherwise, but this has not been confirmed by prospective studies of bites by identified spiders. AIM: To describe the clinical effects of bites by accurately identified spiders, and determine whether early clinical features and circumstances can predict spider type. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study. METHODS: Patients were recruited from admissions to two emergency departments (n=48) and referrals from three state poison information centres (n=1426), over 27 months. Overall, there were 750 people with definite spider bites where the spiders were immediately collected and expertly identified. RESULTS: Significant effects occurred in 44 bites (6%), including 37 (of 56) redback spider bites (Latrodectus hasselti) with significant pain lasting >24 h. Of these, only 6 (11%) received antivenom. One severe neurotoxic envenoming by an Australian funnelweb spider required antivenom. No definite spider bites resulted in necrotic ulcers (0%, 99%CI 0-0.7%). There were no early allergic reactions and secondary infection occurred in seven cases (0.9%, 95%CI 0.4-1.9%). Circumstances and early clinical effects were strongly associated with taxonomic spider identification, with positive predictive values >0.95 for common groups of spiders. CONCLUSIONS: Australian spider bite caused minor effects in most cases and is unlikely to cause necrotic ulcers, allergic reactions or infection. Redback spider bite (widow spider) caused prolonged pain, and antivenom could have been used more frequently. The circumstances and early clinical features of spider bites may allow early appropriate advice and treatment of spider bite without taxonomic identification.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

An approach to spider bites. Erroneous attribution of dermonecrotic lesions to brown recluse or hobo spider bites in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To dispel prevalent myths surrounding diagnosis of dermonecrotic and associated conditions supposedly resulting from bites of brown recluse, hobo, or other spiders in Canada. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Worldwide, spider bites are regularly misdiagnosed as the etiologic agents in human dermonecrosis mainly as a result of inaccurate, erroneous, or hyperbolic popular and professional literature based on inference, circumstantial evidence, inferior clinical trials, and misunderstanding of the facts regarding spider-bite envenomation. MAIN MESSAGE: A working diagnosis of "spider bite" or publishing a case history should be considered only when a spider is caught in the act of biting or otherwise reliably associated with a lesion. Accurate identification of the spider could be critical for correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment. CONCLUSION: Brown recluse spiders are not found in Canada. Hobo spiders have not been reliably implicated in dermonecrosis. Worldwide, spider-bite envenomation is an unlikely cause of dermonecrosis. Canadian physicians should give priority consideration to other, more likely, causes.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Case report: compartment syndrome after a suspected black widow spider bite.

Widow spider envenomations generally produce systemic neurologic syndromes without significant local injury. We report a patient who sustained a black widow spider bite to the left forearm and presented to the emergency department with rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome. We documented a decrease in symptoms and compartment pressure after administration of antivenom. No surgical intervention was performed. We believe this report to be the first documenting compartment syndrome associated with black widow spider bite.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Spiders and spider bites.

The only spiders of real medical importance to humans in the United States are the Loxosceles and Latrodectus species, primarily the brown recluse and the black window, respectively. These spiders bite humans only when trapped or crushed against the skin. Severe brown recluse spider bites produce dermonecrosis within 72-96 hours, which should be treated with rest, ice compresses, antibiotics, dapsone, and surgery delayed for several weeks. Using systemic corticosteroids may be helpful in treating the much rarer systemic loxoscelism, which has minimal skin changes but produces massive hemolysis. Black widow bites do not produce marked skin changes but primarily produce muscle cramping, pain, and other neuromuscular-related symptoms. Though a specific antivenin for black widow bites is available, pain control, muscle relaxants, and calcium gluconate are generally adequate treatment. Many other spiders inflict painful bites, but arachnids do not medically deserve the bad reputation that they generally have with the public.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Mouse spider bites (Missulena spp.) and their medical importance. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical significance of definite bites by mouse spiders (Actinopodidae: Missulena spp.) from published case reports/series and museum records. DATA SOURCES: A computerised literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken. All cases reported to major Australian museums and reports from venom researchers working with mouse spiders were also reviewed. Textbooks on clinical toxinology were searched and further reports of cases were located. STUDY SELECTION: All cases of definite spider bites where the spider was collected and identified by an expert as a mouse spider were included. DATA EXTRACTION: All reports were evaluated and the following data extracted: patient demographics (age, sex, geographical location, season), bite site, local and systemic effects, and hospital attendance. Clinical effects were classified into three groups: severe neurotoxic envenoming, local neurotoxic effects or mild systemic effects, and minor local effects. DATA SYNTHESIS: Forty definite bites were identified from around Australia, with only one case of severe envenoming (a 19-month-old child). Local neurotoxic effects occurred in six cases and minor systemic effects in five. There was no evidence of envenoming in most bite victims, and the rate of severe envenoming was 2.5% (95% CI, 0-13%). There were no recorded deaths. CONCLUSIONS: In most cases, bites by mouse spiders cause only minor or moderate effects. Severe envenoming is rare and far less common than for funnel-web spider bites. Mouse spider bites do not appear to be a major medical problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and pyoderma gangrenosum after a brown recluse spider bite.

Brown recluse spider bites may result in extensive soft tissue injury, causing months of disability. We have described a patient who had a series of extensive surgical debridements after envenomation. Despite skin grafting, persistent cutaneous lesions and extensive satellitosis progressed to involve the entire lower extremity. A recent biopsy showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and pyoderma gangrenosum complicating the original injury. Although the role of early surgical excision and newer forms of medical treatment including dapsone and antivenom are still in evolution, recent reports suggest that the majority of patients will respond to medical therapy and may not require any surgical intervention.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brown recluse spider bites.

BACKGROUND: Brown recluse spider bites are a serious medical problem in the southeastern United States. Although most bites are asymptomatic, envenomation can result in a constellation of systemic symptoms referred to as loxoscelism. Patients can also develop necrotic skin ulcers (necrotic arachnidism). These ulcers are often difficult to heal and can require skin grafting or amputation of the bitten appendage. METHODS: A search of the literature was performed using the search words "spider envenomation," "brown recluse spider bites," and "arachnid envenomation." RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most brown recluse spider bites are asymptomatic. All bites should be thoroughly cleansed and tetanus status updated as needed. Patients who develop systemic symptoms require hospitalization. Surgical excision of skin lesions is indicated only for lesions that have stabilized and are no longer enlarging. Steroids are indicated in bites that are associated with severe skin lesions, loxoscelism, and in small children. Dapsone should be used only in adult patients who experience necrotic arachnidism and who have been screened for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Topical nitroglycerin can be of value in decreasing the enlargement of necrotic skin ulcers.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Clinical consequences of spider bites: recent advances in our understanding.

Spider bite continues to be a controversial subject worldwide and attribution of clinical effects to different spiders is problematic because of poor case definition and paucity of clinical evidence. The effects of medically important spiders are sometimes underestimated and simultaneously there is misattribution of effects to harmless spider groups. The majority of suspected spider bites present as skin lesions or necrotic ulcers where the history of a spider bite must be confirmed. To be a definite spider bite, the patient must immediately observe the spider and there be evidence of the bite, such as pain. Important groups of spiders worldwide include the widow spiders (latrodectism), recluse spiders (loxoscelism) and some mygalomorph spiders including the Australian Funnel web spider. Most spiders only cause minor effects, including a large number of groups that have been implicated in necrotic arachnidism.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

An examination of the potential role of spider digestive proteases as a causative factor in spider bite necrosis.

Tissue necrosis following spider bites is a widespread problem. In the continental United States, the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa), hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis), garden spider (Argiope aurantia) and Chiracanthium species, among others, reportedly cause such lesions. The exact mechanism producing such lesions is controversial. There is evidence for both venom sphingomyelinase and spider digestive collagenases. We have examined the role of spider digestive proteases in spider bite necrosis. The digestive fluid of A. aurantia was assayed for its ability to cleave a variety of connective tissue proteins, including collagen. Having confirmed that the fluid has collagenases, the digestive fluid was injected into the skin of rabbits to observe whether it would cause necrotic lesions. It did not. The data do not support the suggestions that spider digestive collagenases have a primary role in spider bite necrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Use of antivenin to treat priapism after a black widow spider bite.

Black widow spider envenomation (BWSE) is commonly associated with severe abdominal pain, muscle cramping, and hypertension. Treatment is primarily symptomatic with the use of opiates and benzodiazepines. Priapism is a complication of BWSE that has only rarely been reported. We describe a 17-month-old male who developed priapism after known BWSE. His priapism did not respond to opiates or benzodiazepines, and he was treated with black widow spider antivenin. Complete detumescence followed within several hours. The patient required no additional opiates for pain and was discharged from the hospital the following day. The patient's rapid improvement after antivenin suggests its efficacy in treating BWSE-associated priapism.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Black widow spider bites.

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus species) are found worldwide. Envenomation of humans usually occurs as the result of chance intrusion into the spider's domain by the human. The venom is regarded as one of the most potent biologic toxins. The venom acts by destabilization of cell membranes and degranulation of nerve terminals resulting in the release of neurotransmitters. The clinical picture is characterized by painful muscle spasm and hypertension. The very young, the elderly or enfeebled, and those with cardiovascular disease are at greatest risk. While not always necessary, the most effective treatment is specific antiserum. Muscle relaxants, analgesics and intravenous calcium are useful adjuvant treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

White-tailed spider bites--arachnophobic fallout?

AIM: To investigate if public concern regarding the toxic effects of the bites from white-tailed spiders, Lampona cylindrata and L. murina, is reflected in the case histories of patients admitted to Christchurch Hospital with a diagnosis of spider bite. METHODS: The case histories of patients admitted to Christchurch Hospital with a diagnosis of 'contact with venomous spiders' were examined for evidence that the patients developed necrotising arachnidism. RESULTS: Ten patients were admitted to Christchurch Hospital between January 2001 and January 2003 with a diagnosis of 'contact with venomous spiders'. We found no evidence that patients developed necrotising arachnidism. No patients admitted to Christchurch Hospital required re-admission to treat sequelae of the putative spider bite. Support for a spider bite as the causative agent was not robust and alternative agents could have been the cause. CONCLUSIONS: The public's fear of bites from white-tailed spiders is likely misplaced and, if the spider was not caught in the act of biting the patient, alternative diagnoses should be considered before assuming a white-tailed spider was responsible for the patient's symptoms.

Animals↗