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BugGuide.net is a website where arthropod photographs submitted by the public are identified by professional and amateur entomologists. In April 2023 posts containing "bitten" or "stung" were reviewed. Of 39 verified bites, 10 were blood-feeding insects. Others included 9 Heteroptera, 6 spiders, 6 lacewings. 110 posts of stings included 44 social Hymenoptera, 33 solitary Hymenoptera, 5 Heteroptera, 20 caterpillars and 4 scorpions. Injury from lacewing larvae, true bugs, solitary Hymenoptera and caterpillars was unexpectedly common., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We present the case of a 32-year-old male patient hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic because of a Brown spider bite on his lower lip. The Brown spider accident occurred in southern Brazil; at hospital admission, the patient presented on his lip: edema, pustules, necrotic regions, and ulcerations. The patient complained of lower back pain, fever and dyspnea. Laboratory tests showed monocytosis, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased D-dimer levels, C-reactive protein, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, delta bilirubin, creatine phosphokinase, procalcitonin, and fibrinogen. The patient was hospitalized and a multi-professional team carried out the treatment. The medical team diagnosed loxoscelism with moderate changes. The dentist treated the oral cavity. The patient began to develop nausea, vomiting, and desaturation episodes during hospitalization. A computed tomography of the chest was performed, which showed signs of viral infection. The RT-PCR test for COVID-19 was positive. The systemic conditions worsened (renal dysfunction, systemic inflammatory response, pulmonary complications). This condition may have resulted from the association of the two diseases (loxoscelism and COVID-19), leading to the patient's death. This case illustrates the difficulties and risks in treating patients with venomous animal accidents during the pandemic, and the importance of a multi-professional team in treating such cases., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Spider bites are often overestimated because there are no specific clinical or histopathological aspects that characterize them, and skin lesions that resemble a spider bite are often wrongly considered to be a "true spider bite". However, even in case of a true spider bite, it is almost impossible to confirm the biting species, since very often neither physicians nor patients are trained in spider identification., Objective: The aim of this report is to provide clinicians with a rapid and simple recognition of the few Italian medically relevant spiders, in order to take relative medical measures in case of spider bites., Materials and Methods: We defined spiders of considerable medical relevance the ones that cause local symptoms with possible systemic involvement, while we defined spiders with mild medical relevance the ones whose bite is not a medical emergency but is particularly painful or can cause lasting symptoms. We focused on the identification of the four spider taxa of major clinical interest through a brief descriptive, photographic and graphic guide, in association to dermatological manifestations., Results: Spiders of considerable medical relevance are Loxosceles rufescens and Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, while spiders of less severe medical relevance are Steatoda paykulliana, S. nobilis, S. grossa, Cheiracanthium punctorium, Amblyocarenum spp. and Macrothele calpeiana (the presence of the latter in Italy is only accidental and very sporadic). The only species capable of causing necrosis is Loxo-sceles rufescens, while Latrodectus tredecimguttatus can cause more systemic symptoms., Discussion and Conclusion: With the aim of promoting a first and rapid recognition of the species, we performed a morphological usable aspect for an initial and quick recognition according to an identification key.

Antivenom is the only effective therapy for treating any envenomation. Despite its obvious public health importance, the laborious process of procuring, distributing and controlling the quality of such immunobiologicals is being neglected. Brazil is fully self-sufficient in the production of antivenoms. Since the 1950s, Loxoscelism, a syndrome with an onset after a spider bite from specimens of the Loxosceles genus occurs, is considered a public health issue. The Brazilian history in developing antivenom therapy, its production hindrances, and other challenges are discussed in this paper, as well as some promising novelties that can improve production and processing of Loxosceles antivenom., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction. Spider bites are often overestimated because there are no specific clinical or histopathological aspects that characterize them, and skin lesions that resemble a spider bite are often wrongly considered to be a "true spider bite". However, even in case of a true spider bite, it is almost impossible to confirm the biting species, since very often neither physicians nor patients are trained in spider identification. Objective. The aim of this report is to provide clinicians with a rapid and simple recognition of the few Italian medically relevant spiders, in order to take relative medical measures in case of spider bites. Materials and methods. We defined spiders of considerable medical relevance the ones that cause local symptoms with possible systemic involvement, while we defined spiders with mild medical relevance the ones whose bite is not a medical emergency but is particularly painful or can cause lasting symptoms. We focused on the identification of the four spider taxa of major clinical interest through a brief descriptive, photographic and graphic guide, in association to dermatological manifestations. Results. Spiders of considerable medical relevance are Loxosceles rufescens and Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, while spiders of less severe medical relevance are Steatoda paykulliana, S. nobilis, S. grossa, Cheiracanthium punctorium, Amblyocarenum spp. and Macrothele calpeiana (the presence of the latter in Italy is only accidental and very sporadic). The only species capable of causing necrosis is Loxosceles rufescens, while Latrodectus tredecimguttatus can cause more systemic symptoms. Discussion and Conclusion. With the aim of promoting a first and rapid recognition of the species, we performed a morphological usable aspect for an initial and quick recognition according to an identification key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The diagnosis of exanthema induced by a spider bite mimicking BS was made. We report a case of exanthema following a spider bite mimicking BS and misdiagnosed as SDRIFE caused by cotrimoxazole. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: The aim of this work was to conduct an epidemiological and clinical review of 1126 cases of envenoming by spider recorded in the national notifiable diseases information system (SINAN) files of the Municipal Health Secretary of the Criciúma region, Santa Catarina State, Brazil from 1994 to 2006. This work presents a critical analysis carried out by the application of the χ2 test, with different regional contextual parameters, including the incidence coefficient. Spider envenoming accounts for more than 50% of all cases recorded in the SINAN files for poisonous animals and is the main cause of human envenomation in the Criciúma region. The majority of the spider bites (57.4%) were reported in the hottest months, from December to May. The anatomic region that suffered the most bites was the hand. Nearly 50% of the accidents were recorded in the group aged 20–49 years. The spiders most frequently involved in accidents for all age groups were of the Loxosceles genus. Although the data collected lack further epidemiological and, especially, clinical details, this does not affect the conclusions of the study, which could be used in the planning of actions aimed at improving environmental health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spiders of the family Sparassidae occur on most continents in tropical and temperate regions of the world. They are large Araneomorphae (modern spiders) which are often feared. There are few reports of confirmed sparassid bites and some suggest that particular genera (Neosparassus) can cause severe effects. This study investigated the circumstances and clinical effects of bites by Australian sparassid spiders with correlation to taxonomic species level. Cases were recruited prospectively from calls to Australian poison information centres and two emergency departments. Patients were included if there was a clear history of bite and the spider was caught, and were followed up over a week. There were 173 patients with spider injuries and 168 with definite bites by sparassid spiders over a 27 month period. Ninety-five percent of bites were by spiders from four genera: Isopeda (32%), Isopedella (21%), Neosparassus (27%) and Heteropoda (14%); other genera included Delena and Holconia. The seasonal and diurnal distribution of bites differed between genera, although the majority occurred in warmer months in daylight hours. Seventy-six percent of bites occurred because the spider was interfered with (picked up, dressing or picked up an object with the spider) consistent with the behaviour of most of the family requiring provocation to bite. Ninety-five percent of bites occurred on limbs, 82% on distal limbs, again consistent with handling the spider. Pain/discomfort occurred in all cases, and was severe in 27%. The median duration of pain was 5 min which was significantly less than other spiders. Puncture marks (40%) or localised initial bleeding (35%) occurred in 54% of bites, and both occurred significantly more often in all sparassid bites compared to all other spider bites (p<0.0001). Swelling occurred in 16%, itchiness in 14% and redness/red mark in 57% of cases, the latter significantly less common than other spiders (p=0.0002). Systemic effects occurred in 4% of bites and were minor (nausea and/or headache). There were no cases of necrotic ulcers or allergic reactions. There were four cases with features consistent with local infection. Bites by sparassid spiders cause minor effects, characterised by immediate and transient pain, associated with bleeding, puncture marks and local redness. The mechanism of effects appeared to be trauma rather than envenoming. There were no major differences between genera, and Neosparassus spp. did not cause major effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There are a thousand of species of spiders, but a few are of medical importance. Phoneutria genus is one of the most aggressive spiders, popularly known as the “Brazilian wandering spider". Phoneutrism cases can be divided into mild, moderate and severe based on clinical symptomatology. The clinical signs are intense pain, edema, mild erythema, emesis, tachycardia, agitation, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary edema, seizure, priapism and shock. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine phosphokinase MB (CKMB) can be used to measure myocardial damage caused by phoneutrism. The aim of this study is report the use of cardiac biomarkers as tool to identify cardiac damage of phoneutrisms in a dog. A one-year-old, mixed breed, male, eight kilograms dog was brought to the Veterinary Hospital presenting yellowish liquid emesis, muscle tremors and disorientation after being bitten by Phoneutria nigriventer identified by Laboratory of Veterinary Toxicology. There were restless behavior, paresis of pelvic limbs and intense muscular fasciculations, tachycardia (140 bpm), tachypnea, dyspnea, weak arterial pulse, cyanotic mucosa, mild dehydration (< 5%), cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary crepitation, decubitus with tetraparalysis and hyperventilation. A total absence of response to the postural tests was observed on neurological examination. There were absence of pupillary and palpebral reflexes, bilateral miosis, with the right side being lightly responsive, an increase in muscle tone in both pelvic and thoracic limbs with spastic characteristics, anterior patellar reflex was absent, the panicle reflex was diminished, and the animal was incontinent. Hemogram, biochemical tests, gasometry and urinalysis was performed. In venous blood gas analysis, hypokalemia (K + 2.91 mmol/L) and decrease of ionized calcium (iCa 1.84 mg/dL) were observed. Blood pressure was 160 mmHg. The total CK dosage was 2585U/L (reference value = 84 U/L). The treatment was oxygen therapy, furosemide (4 mg/ kg, SC), tramadol (3 mg/kg, IV), intravenous fluid therapy with ringer-lactate (78 mL/hour) supplemented with calcium gluconate and potassium chloride. Omeprazole (1 mg/kg, IV, SID) was added to cephalothin (30 mg/kg, IV, TID). At electrocardiogram, bradyarrhythmia was detected with atrial extrasystoles. The analysis of the two cardiac markers, cTnI and CK-MB were requested. Both were increased (CK-MB [194 U/L] and cTnI [10.78 ng/mL]. On the second day, the dog was agitated, walked normally and fed on appetite. A new dosage of electrolytes performed was within the reference values. The animal was discharged as soon as the fluid therapy was completed. A week later, the animal returned with all parameters within normality; no change was observed on the second electrocardiogram. Even though the condition was considered severe, the dog had good clinical improvement, possible due to the rapid evaluation, including cardiac alterations of the animal and immediate institution of the therapy support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Twenty-five patients with definite bites by Badumna spp. spiders were recruited prospectively. Bites occurred across Australia, 92% from October to March, and most during daylight. Pain occurred in all cases, was severe in seven cases, with a median duration of 5 min. Other effects included: puncture marks (24%), swelling (12%) and erythema (68%). Minor systemic effects occurred in 4 bites. No patient had a necrotic ulcer (0%; 97.5% confidence interval 0−14%). Black house spiders ( Badumna spp.) are unlikely to cause necrosis, contrary to reports of suspected bites. Patients can be reassured and do not require any further investigation or treatment. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 287−289) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]