Fusto G, Bennardo L, Duca ED, Mazzuca D, Tamburi F, Patruno C, Nisticò SP. Spider bites of medical significance in the Mediterranean area: misdiagnosis, clinical features and management.
J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2020;
26:e20190100. [PMID:
33061945 PMCID:
PMC7534902 DOI:
10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0100]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the disrepute spiders have had for centuries, their bite is a rare
occurrence. In the Mediterranean area, only two of the numerous known species
are considered of medical significance: Latrodectus
tredecimguttatus and Loxosceles rufescens. Spider
bites have no pathognomonic signs or symptoms, therefore most diagnoses are
presumptive; a spider bite can only be diagnosed when a spider (seen at the time
of the bite) is collected and identified by an expert, since most physicians and
patients are unable to recognize a certain spider species or distinguish spiders
from other arthropods. Skin lesions of uncertain etiology are too often
attributed to spider bites. In most cases, these are actually skin and
soft-tissue infections, allergic reactions, dermatoses etc. Misdiagnosing a
wound as a spider bite can lead to delays in appropriate care, cause adverse or
even fatal outcomes and have medical-legal implications. Concerningly,
misinformation on spider bites also affects the medical literature and it
appears there is lack of awareness on current therapeutic indications for
verified bites.
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