I n a p e r i o d of t i m e of five y e a r s , all p a t i e n t s w h o exh ib i t ed v i s c e r o c u t a n e o u s f o r m of loxosce l i sm w e r e inves t iga t ed for e r y t h r o c y t e g lucose-6-phosphate deficiency, a n d i n t w o p a t i e n t s o u t of seven it w a s f o u n d th i s deficiency. Th i s f inding sugges t s t h a t t h i s genet ica l e n z y m e deficiency cou...

The phylum Arthropoda includes arachnids and insects. Although their bites typically cause only local reactions, some species are venomous or transmit disease. The two medically important spiders in the United States are widow spiders (Latrodectus), the bite of which causes intense muscle spasms, and the brown recluse (Loxosceles), which may cause skin necrosis. Widow bites usually respond to n...

Spider venoms are complex cocktails rich in peptides, proteins and organic molecules that collectively act to immobilize prey. Venoms of the primitive hunting spider, Plectreurys tristis, have numerous neurotoxic peptides called "plectoxins" (PLTX), a unique acylpolyamine called bis(agmatine)oxalamide, and larger unidentified protein components. These spiders also have unconventional multi-lobe...

Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles) bites cause lesions ranging from chronic necrotic ulcers to acute life-threatening sepsis. Based on our experience in treating acute and chronic wounds with negative pressure, we postulated that vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) would be valuable in this application. Chester pigs were procured and injected with purified brown recluse spider venom, 1 µl of venom in ...

Georgia is on the southeastern margin of the native range of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch and Mulaik. The brown recluse is not a common Georgia spider and has limited distribution in the state. Using recent submissions, previously published records, and examination of museum specimens, we document the spiderÕs presence in 31 (19.5%) of GeorgiaÕs 159 counties, with almost...

Georgia is on the southeastern margin of the native range of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch and Mulaik. The brown recluse is not a common Georgia spider and has limited distribution in the state. Using recent submissions, previously published records, and examination of museum specimens, we document the spider's presence in 31 (19.5%) of Georgia's 159 counties, with almost...

A 48-year-old woman who worked as a cleaner in a Kashan University of Medical Sciences dormitory received a spider bite while collecting garbage on a summer afternoon. She feltimmediate irritation on her arm. She noticed a spider, which she removed and killed. The irritation, itching, and redness on her arm continued. Her hand became edematous and painful after four days and she suffered from i...