Cutaneous loxoscelism envenomation by Loxosceles spiders is characterized by the development of a dermonecrotic lesion, strong inflammatory response, the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and leukocyte migration to the bite site. The role of phospholipase D (PLD) from Loxosceles in the recruitment and migration of monocytes to the envenomation site has not yet been described. This study...

In Chile, all necrotic arachnidism is attributed to the Chilean recluse spider Loxosceles laeta (Nicolet) (Araneae: Sicariidae). It is predated by the spitting spider Scytodes globula (Nicolet) (Araneae: Scytodidae). The biology of each of these species is not well known and it is important to clarify their distributions. The aims of this study are to elucidate the variables involved in the nic...

An 80-year-old man living in Fréjus in southern France had a cellulitis on the right arm (Figure 1). The patient had no fever, chills, systemic symptoms, or other clinical signs. He felt a slight pain in his arm during the night and while folding his arm, he crushed a spider. The spider’s body was immediately recovered and then identified by an entomologist (Figure 2). This typical skin lesion ...

Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) envenomation, known as loxoscelism, can produce a wide range of consequences. The symptoms may range from itching to wound necrosis, which may ultimately result in death.1 Biopsies of loxoscelism wounds show evidence of acute inflammation, hemorrhage, thrombosis, induration, and liquefactive necrosis of the dermis and the epidermis.2 These effects are a...

We report a case of severe systemic loxoscelism in a previously healthy young man. This was associated with a Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia, striking leukomid reaction, renal failure, respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse. This is the first documented case of a renal biopsy in a patient with renal failure after envenomation by the brown recluse spider. Associated systemic toxicity ...

BACKGROUND The best-known dangerous spiders belong to the six genera. The genus Loxosceles or violin spiders are well known for their ability to cause skin necrosis or loxoscelism. All Loxosceles species have medical importance due to their necrotizing venom. The present article reports the occurrence of L. rufescens in Charkhab Cave, south of Iran (Larestan). METHODS The specimens were colle...