spider bite

Venomous spidersClassification and external resources

Chelicerae of a black wishbone (nemesiid) spider, amygalomorph.

ICD-10 T14.1 (http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en#/T14.1) T63.3(http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en#/T63.3)W57 (nonvenomous)X21 (venomous)

ICD-9 989.5 (http://www.icd9data.com/getICD9Code.ashx?icd9=989.5) E905.1 (http://www.icd9data.com/getICD9Code.ashx?icd9=E905.1) E906.4 (http://www.icd9data.com/getICD9Code.ashx?icd9=E906.4)

Spider biteFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spider bite, sometimes called arachnidism in technical literature, is injury resulting from the bitesof spiders. It is an unusual class of injury and the effects of most confirmed spider bites are trivial,even though nearly all species of spider are venomous. For all practical purposes arachnidism issubstantial envenomation by a spider bite, their bites otherwise being medically insignificant.Depending on the species of spider and the victim, arachnidism will have various effects, rangingfrom going practically unnoticed, through transient pain, to gangrene, or fatal neurotoxicity.[1]:455

Bites from the widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) produce a special class of arachnidism, aneurotoxic condition known as Latrodectism,[2]

Similarly, bites from the recluse spiders (genus Loxosceles) cause the condition called Loxoscelism,which has become particularly notorious in recent decades as the predominant cause of "necroticarachnidism", in which necrosis of the surrounding tissue is the major concern.[3][4]

Another medical condition that has historically been claimed to arise from spider bites is Tarantism,but there is no substantial evidence for the existence of this supposed condition.

Contents

1 General considerations2 Signs and symptoms3 Pathophysiology

3.1 Neurotoxic venom3.2 Necrotic venom3.3 Comparative analysis

3.3.1 Measurements4 Diagnosis5 Management

5.1 Necrosis5.2 Other

6 Epidemiology

Spider bite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_bite

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DiseasesDB 12299(http://www.diseasesdatabase.com/ddb12299.htm)

MedlinePlus 002858 (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002858.htm)

eMedicine article/772484(http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/772484-overview)

6.1 Australia6.2 United States

7 Classification7.1 Brazilian wandering spiders7.2 Australian funnel-web spiders7.3 Tangle-web spiders

7.3.1 Widow spiders7.3.2 False black widows

7.4 Sicariidae spiders7.4.1 Six-eyed sand spiders7.4.2 Recluse spiders

7.5 Mouse spiders7.6 Tarantulas

7.6.1 New-world tarantulas7.6.2 Old-world tarantulas

7.7 Yellow Sac spiders7.8 Others

7.8.1 Hobo spiders7.8.2 Lycosa tarantula7.8.3 White-tailed spiders7.8.4 Harvestman7.8.5 Sun spiders

8 Historical remedies9 See also10 References11 External links

General considerations

Spiders are predators and most species rely largely on their bites to subdue and kill their prey before consuming it. With the exception of web-buildingspiders that may feed on almost any creature that their webs can immobilise, spiders do not generally attack animals larger than themselves. However,some species also may bite in self-defense. Some in particular e.g., Atrax robustus will stand their ground when approached by larger animals,and will adopt an aggressive stance. Still, nearly all spider bites occur when humans unintentionally press up against spiders and receive a defensivebite.


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A Brazilian man 31 hours afterhaving been bitten on his face by aLoxosceles spider.

Only two spider families, Uloboridae and Holarchaeidae, are known to be non-venomous, i.e., lacking venom glands, but only spiders of fairly largespecies possess chelicera long enough to penetrate human skin, and most (though by no means all) spiders that are large enough to bite humanseffectively are mature females. Apart from the size and effectiveness of the venom-delivery organs, the toxicity and the quantity of the venom are themain factors determining the harm that the bite is likely to cause. Spiders regarded as dangerous possess venom that is sufficiently toxic to humansthat a single bite can deliver a medically significant dose. The vast majority of bites by species large enough for their bites to be noticeable will haveno serious medical consequences.[5]

In various combinations and concentrations, medically significant spider venoms include necrotic agents, neurotoxins, and pharmacologically activecompounds such as serotonin. Out of over 40,000 known species of spider only some two hundred species in twenty genera are known to havemedically significant bites, a few of them of them potentially lethal.[6] In most cases of bites, the chief concern is the spider's venom, although insome cases medically non-significant spiders can transmit infectious diseases or serious non-contagious infections.

Spider bites commonly are misdiagnosed by both the general public and medical practitioners. Many other conditions, both infectious andnon-infectious can be confused with spider bites.[7] Many of these conditions are far more common and more likely to be the source of necroticwounds.[8]

Signs and symptoms

Pain from non-venomous spider bites typically lasts for 5 to 60 minutes while pain from venomous spider bitesfrequently lasts for longer than 24 hours.[9] The rate of a bacterial infection due to a spider bite is low(0.9%).[9]

Pathophysiology

A primary concern of the bite of a spider is the effect of its venom. A spider envenomation occurs whenever aspider injects venom into the skin. Not all spider bites involve injection of venom into the skin, and the amountof venom injected can vary based on the type of spider and the circumstances of the encounter. The mechanicalinjury from a spider bite is not a serious concern for humans. Some spider bites do leave a large enough woundthat infection may be a concern However, it is generally the toxicity of spider venom that poses the most riskto human beings; several spiders are known to have venom that can cause injury to humans in the amounts thata spider will typically inject when biting.

All spiders are capable of producing venom, with the exception of the hackled orb-weavers, the Holarchaeidae,and the primitive Mesothelae. (Other arachnids often confused with spiders, such as the harvestman and sunspiders, also do not produce venom). Nonetheless, only a small percentage of species have bites that pose a


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4 months after a brown recluse spiderbite with scar remaining

danger to people. Many spiders do not have mouthparts capable of penetrating human skin. While venoms areby definition toxic substances, most spiders do not have venom that is sufficiently toxic (in the quantitiesdelivered) to require medical attention and, of those that do, fatalities are exceedingly rare. (For details thatsubstantiate these claims, see the remainder of this article.)

Spider venoms work on one of two fundamental principles; they are either neurotoxic (attacking the nervoussystem) or necrotic (attacking tissues surrounding the bite, and, in some cases, attacking vital organs andsystems).

Neurotoxic venom

The majority of spiders with serious bites possess a neurotoxic venom of some sort, though the specificmanner in which the nervous system is attacked varies from spider to spider.[10][11][12]

Widow spider venom contains components known as latrotoxins, which cause the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, stimulatingmuscle contractions. This can affect the body in several ways, including causing painful abdominal cramps, as well as interfering withrespiration, and causing other systemic effects.[6]

The venom of Australian funnel-web spiders and mouse spiders works by opening sodium channels, causing excessive neural activity whichinterferes with normal bodily function.The venom of Brazilian wandering spiders is also a potent neurotoxin, which attacks multiple types of ion channels [13] In addition, the venomcontains high levels of serotonin, making an envenomation by this species particularly painful.

Necrotic venom

Spiders known to have necrotic venom occur most notoriously in the family Sicariidae, which includes both the recluse spiders and the six-eyed sandspiders. Spiders in this family possess a known dermonecrotic agent sphingomyelinase D,[14][15] which is otherwise found only in a few pathogenicbacteria.[16][17] Some species in this family are more venomous than others; according to one study, the venom of the Chilean recluse and severalspecies of six-eyed sand spider indigenous to southern Africa, contains an order of magnitude more of this substance than do other sicariid spiderssuch as the brown recluse.[18] Bites by spiders in this family can produce symptoms ranging from minor localized effects, to severe dermonecroticlesions, up to and including severe systemic reactions including renal failure, and in some cases, death.[19] Even in the absence of systemic effects,serious bites from sicariid spiders may form a necrotising ulcer that destroys soft tissue and may take months and very rarely years to heal, leavingdeep scars. The damaged tissue may become gangrenous and eventually slough away. Initially there may be no pain from a bite, but over time thewound may grow to 10 inches (25 cm) in extreme cases. Bites usually become painful and itchy within two to eight hours, pain and other local effectsworsen 12 to 36 hours after the bite, and then necrosis will develop over the next few days.[20]


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Systemic effects are unusual but include Mild symptoms such nausea, vomiting, fever, rashes, and muscle and joint pain. Rarely more severesymptoms occur including red blood cell destructionhemolysis, low plateletsthrombocytopenia, and loss of clotting factorsdisseminated intravascularcoagulation.[21] children may be more susceptible to systemic loxoscelism. Deaths have been reported for both the brown recluse and the relatedSouth American species Loxosceles laeta and Loxosceles intermedia. related to hemolysis and the injury that results to the kidney. However somedeaths have occurred where no brown recluse live leading to perception of misdiagnosis

Numerous other spiders have been associated with necrotic bites. Examples include the Hobo spider, a member of the usually inoffensive familyAgelenidae and various Sac spiders, members of the family Miturgidae. However, the bites from these spiders do not conclusively cause skin necrosisand none are known to produce the severe symptoms that rarely follow from a recluse spider bite.[22][23] So far, no known necrotoxins have beenisolated from the venom of any of these spiders, and some arachnologists have disputed the accuracy of many spider identifications carried out by bitevictims, family members, medical responders, and other non-experts in arachnology. There have been several studies questioning whether danger isposed by some of these spiders. In these studies, scientists examined case studies of bites in which the spider in question was positively identified byan expert, and found that the incidence of necrotic injury diminished significantly when "questionable" identifications were excluded from the sampleset.[24][25]

Comparative analysis

It is often asked which type of spider is the most "dangerous" in the world. There isn't a simple answer to this question, as there are many thingswhich must be taken into account when considering the amount of danger posed by spider bites:

Firstly, it is often the case that a spider bite is "dry" the skin may be pierced, but little or no venom is injected into the victim. In such aninstance, little or none of the spider's dangerous potential for harm is manifested.Secondly, there have been reports of allergic reactions to spider contact but only one of anaphylactic shock,[26] a life-threatening condition(much the same as a sting from an ant, bee, or wasp may produce a harmful effect apart from the toxic quality of its venom).[27]

Thirdly, many spiders listed as dangerous are seldom encountered, or have dispositions that make them unlikely to bite despite the high toxicityof their venom.Finally, little is known about the toxicity of many spiders, due to their infrequent encounters with humans; the list of venomous spiders islimited to those that are linked to medical events in humans or who otherwise have been extensively studied.

It should also be noted that serious bites develop symptoms quickly, within the hour. While a serious medical condition may result (see latrodectimsand loxocelism) fatalities are exceedingly rare. Appropriate medical treatment can improve speed of recovery . The scenario given in movies such asArachnophobia, where bite victims die within minutes, does not occur. Small children are considered an exception because the amount of venomdispersed throughout the body is many times the concentration in an adult. There is at least one recorded case of a small child dying within 15 minutesof a bite from a Sydney funnel-web spider; that death occurred before the development of an antivenom. Since the antivenom was developed therehave been no fatalities due to this species.


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The spider-bites documented as the most dangerous to humans are those of the Sydney funnel-web spider and the Brazilian wandering spider. Thesespiders are potentially more dangerous than widow spiders because they have longer fangs and can inject greater quantities of venom to greaterdepths. Phoneutria nigriventer has approximately 2 mg of venom, but frequently gives dry bites or at least does not deliver all of its available venom.Only 1 out of 200 bites is serious [28]Atrax robustus has approximately 1.7 mg of venom. Bites of Six-eyed sand spiders have been described asdangerous to humans, but there is a lack of proof for this.[29]:p.25

The genus Latrodectus (of which the black widow spider is the most notorious) have been credited with killing more people per year, worldwide, thanany other spider. Because they are not very large, they are much harder to detect than a large Brazilian wandering spider or a tarantula. Their venom isextremely potent. Compared to many other species of spiders, their chelicerae are not very large. In the case of a mature female, the hollow, needleshaped part of each chelicera, the part that penetrates the skin, is approximately 1 mm (0.04 in) long, sufficiently long to inject the venom to adangerous depth. The males, being much smaller, can inject far less venom and inject it far less deeply. The actual amount injected, even by a maturefemale, is very small in physical volume (.02.03 mg). On the other hand, the geographical range of the widow spiders is very great. As a result, farmore people are exposed, worldwide, to widow bites than are exposed to bites of more dangerous spiders. Widow spiders venom may rarely causeserious complications in people. Fatalities had been reported as high as 5% of bites and as low as 0.2% of bites.[30]

Measurements

The LD-50 (median lethal dose) figures have limited utility since the effects of venoms differ widely from species to species. Before an antivenomwas developed, deaths from Atrax and Hadronyche did occur, but the frequency of non-lethal bites is unknown. Some deaths from Phoneutria bitesare reported, but much of their range is in the Amazon so reporting of bites may not be very complete.

Most LD-50 figures are based on experiments with laboratory mice. There are great differences in the sensitivities of various kinds of organisms tovarious kinds of venom. The relative sensitivities of mice to various venoms may not allow prediction of the exact degree of human sensitivity. Somost of these figures can only give a rough approximation of the medical consequences of various spider bites to humans. A case in point are theSicarius spp. The venom of these spiders is extremely active in laboratory animals, but there are few if any documented reports of Sicarius bites inhumans, so data on which to base valid conclusions is lacking.


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Genus Species Commonname Body length Venom amount LD-50Alternate

LD-50 Deaths reported

Atrax A. robustusSydneyfunnel-webspider

2432 mm.[27]0.25 mg (F) and0.81 mg (M) [31]

2 mg [32]0.16 mg/kg [33] unknown

13 attributed deathsfrom 1927 to1980[34]

Hadronyche H. formidabilisNorthern treefunnel-webspider

2345 mm.1 death.[35] Highrates of severeenvenoming.[27][36]

Hadronyche H. cerbereaSouthern treefunnel-webspider

High rates of severeenvenoming.[36]

Latrodectus L. mactans Black widow 815 mm [27] 0.02.03 mg.[37][38] 0.002 mg/kg [37]* 0.9 mg/kg

36 deaths recordedfrom 1965 to 1990in the U.S.5% of reported bitesprior to antivenomavailability [27]

Latrodectus L.tredecimguttatus Malmignatte (approx. same) (approx. same) 0.68 g/kg [39] 16.25 g/kg

[39]

possibility of deathsin Southern Europefirst attributed to thebrown recluse,suggesting largerfrequency of thebites.

Loxosceles L. reclusa Brownrecluse

1.2 cm(0.75 in) [27]

610 mm [27].13.27 mg.[39][40]

necrosis andamputation of limbsmore common,deaths rare[27]

Loxosceles L. intermedia 0.48 mg/kg [41]

Loxosceles L. laeta Chileanrecluse 1.45 mg/kg [41]


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Loxosceles L. gaucho 0.74 mg/kg [41]

Phoneutria P. bahiensisBrazilianwanderingspider

30 mm 1.079 mg [42].00061.00157 mg/kg[42]

cardiac failurereported in 5 out of12 bitten

Phoneutria P. boliviensisBrazilianwanderingspider

30 mm 1.079 mg.[42].00061.00157 mg/kg[42]

Phoneutria P. feraBrazilianwanderingspider

30 mm [27] 1.079 mg [42].00061.00157 mg/kg[42]

disputedeffectiveness of theantivenin - 4 deathsout of 7administered [27]

Phoneutria P. nigriventerBrazilianwanderingspider

35 cm(1.252 in) [43]

2.15 mg [40]

1.079 mg.[42]

15.20 ng/mg.[40]

00061.00157 mg/kg[42]

200 g/kg(0.2 ng/mg)[40]

severe cardiacfailure, signs ofpriapism andirreversible damageto the centralnervous systemrecorded.18 deaths in Brazilalone from 2007 to2010 [27]

Phoneutria P. reidyiBrazilianwanderingspider

30 mm.00061.00157 mg/kg[42] 0.3 mg/kg

Sicarius spp. Six-eyedsand spider 17 mmlarge necroticlesions

Haplopelma

H. huwenum(previouslySelenocosmiahuwena)

Chinese birdspider 0.70 mg/kg

[44]

1 death reported of a5-year-old childsuffocated, possiblycaused by allergensto the venom.


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Poecilotheria P. ornataFringedornamentaltarantula

Instances of comareported.[45]

Poecilotheria P. fasciata **Sri Lankanornamentaltarantula

Instances of cardiacfailure reported [45]

Cheiracanthium spp. Yellow Sacspider 610 mm

one case ofirreversible damageto the skin reported[27]

Cheiracanthium C. japonicum Japanese sacspider 610 mm

MacrotheleM. holsti, M.gigas, M.taiwanensis [38]

Primitiveburrowingspiders

No deaths reportedin Taiwan.[46]

Steatoda S. grossa Cupboardspider

Mild widow-likesymptoms reported,no severeconsequencesStudy suggests itsvenom can beeffective in treatingwidow bites becauseof their similarity.

* This value is based on experience with human exposures.** Several other kinds of tarantulas in the pet trade are regarded as giving non-trivial bites. Tarantulas are typically far larger than spiders with themost toxic kinds of venom. However, the sheer volume of the venom may compensate for its lesser toxicity. The effects of a full envenomation areprobably unknown for many species of tarantulas, so due caution is advisable.

Diagnosis

Assumption that a reported injury was caused by a spider is the most common source of false reports, which in some cases have led to misdiagnosis


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and mistreatment, with potentially life-threatening consequences.[47] Many spider bites, including those by some dangerous species, are relativelypainless at first and may go unnoticed if not directly observed. These bites may only be noticed later if serious symptoms appear.

Occasionally, infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are misdiagnosed as necrotic spider bites; this can have severeconsequences as a MRSA infection is frequently a medical emergency.[48]

Management

Most spider bites are harmless, and require no specific treatment. Treatment of bites may depend on the type of spider; thus, capture of the spidereither alive, or in a well-preserved condition, is useful.[49][50]

In the case of bites by widow spiders, Australian venomous funnel-web spiders, or Brazilian wandering spiders, prompt medical attention should besought as in some cases the bites of these spiders may develop into a medical emergency.[51][52]

Treatment for non-poisonous spider bites include washing the bite with soap and water and ice to reduce inflammation.[9] Analgesics andantihistamines may be used, however antibiotics are not recommended unless there is also a bacterial infection present.[9]

Necrosis

There is no established treatment for necrosis. Recommendations include elevation and immobilization of the affected limb, application of ice, localwound care, and tetanus prophylaxis. Many other therapies have been used with varying degrees of success including hyperbaric oxygen, dapsone,antihistamines (e.g., cyproheptadine), antibiotics, dextran, glucocorticoids, vasodilators, heparin, nitroglycerin, electric shock, curettage, surgicalexcision, and antivenom. None of these treatments have been subjected to controlled, randomized trials to conclusively show benefit. In almost allcases, bites are self-limited and typically heal without any medical intervention.[8]

Dapsone is commonly used in the USA and Brazil for the treatment of necrosis. There have been conflicting reports about its efficacy and some havesuggested it should no longer be used routinely, if at all.[53]

Other

Studies have shown surgical intervention is ineffective and may worsen outcome. Excision may delay wound healing, cause abscesses, and leadto objectionable scarring.[54]

Use of antivenom for severe spider bites may be indicated, especially in the case of neurotoxic venoms.[55] Effective antivenoms exist forLatrodectus, Atrax, and Phoneutria venom. Recluse bites are treatable by antivenom; an antivenom for Loxosceles bites is available in South


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America, and it appears antivenom may be the most promising therapy. However, the recluse antivenom is most effective if given early, andbecause of the relatively painless bite delivered by recluses, patients do not often present until 24 or more hours after the event, possiblylimiting the effect of this intervention.[56] Due to the risk of serum sickness, use of antivenom is generally not indicated unless serioussymptoms are present, and/or a person fails to respond to other forms of treatment.

Epidemiology

Australia

A study of 750 definite spider bites in Australia indicated that 6% of spider bites cause significant effects, the vast majority of these being redbackspider bites causing significant pain lasting more than 24 hours.[57]

United States

The spiders of most concern in the United States are brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders. Most recluse spider bites are minor with little orno necrosis. However, a small number of bites produce severe dermonecrotic lesions, and, sometimes, severe systemic symptoms, including organdamage. Rarely the bite may also produce the systemic condition with occasional fatalities[58] Black widow spider bites may cause muscle cramps,but no one in the United States has died from a black widow spider bite in over 10 years.[59]

Classification

A spider is classified as "venomous" if it is able to cause significant harm to humans.[9] Spiders having medically significant venom exist in all but thecoldest parts of the world. There is general agreement on which spiders give bites that may produce lasting damage or death, but not such generalagreement on how one might sort spiders identified by genus and species in order of their threat to humans.

The following types of spider are known to have medically significant bites, with symptoms ranging from localized pain all the way to severe tissuedestruction and potential death. Spiders whose bites have caused fatalities which are well documented in the scientific literature are so indicated in thesection headers. Only four genera (Phoneutria, Atrax, Latrodectus, and Loxosceles) are known to have killed humans; three other genera(Hadronyche, Missulena, and Sicarius) possess venom which toxicology studies have shown have lethal potential (being similar to Atrax andLoxosceles venom in composition).[citation needed] There are suspected but unconfirmed deaths reported in the literature from species in Tegenaria andHaplopelma.[citation needed]

Brazilian wandering spiders


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Brazilian wandering spider(Phoneutria nigriventer).

Main article: Brazilian wandering spider

The Brazilian wandering spider (a ctenid spider) is a large brown spider similar to North American wolfspiders in appearance, although somewhat larger. It has a highly toxic venom (the most neurologically activeof all spiders), and is regarded (along with the Australian funnel-web spiders, whose bites deliver slightly lessvenom, but are faster-acting) as among the most dangerous spiders in the world.[60] Based on one of the fewpharmacological studies performed in the 1970s, Phoneutria's venom toxicity was more virulent than bothAtrax and Latrodectus. The amount of P. nigriventer venom necessary to kill a 20 g mouse has been shown tobe only 6 g intravenously and 134 g subcutaneously as compared to 110 g and 200 g respectively forLatrodectus mactans (Southern black widow). This ranks Phoneutria venom among the most deadly spidervenoms to mice. Laboratory mice subjected to P. nigriventer venom experienced intense penile erectionsbefore succumbing to the toxin (from a table measuring the pharmacological toxicity of spiders VenomousAnimals and their Venoms, vol. III, ed. Wolfgang Bcherl and Eleanor Buckley)

Brazilian wandering spiders, like their name says, are active hunters and travel a lot. They tend to crawl into cozy, comfortable places for the night,and thus can easily be found in fruits and flowers that humans consume and cultivate. If the spider has a reason to be alarmed, it will bite in order toprotect itself, but unless startled or provoked, most bites will be delivered dry (without venom). Venom bites will occur if the spider is pressed againstsomething (such as fingers) and hurt. In this case, the high levels of serotonin contained in the venom, plus at minimum strong chelicera, willcontribute to deliver a very painful bite that can result in muscle shock.

Children are more sensitive to the bites of wandering spiders, as the spiders often make threat gestures (such as raising up their legs, or hoppingsideways on the ground), which might amuse a child to the point of reaching towards the spider.[61] In male humans, bites of this spider may alsoresult in priapism.[62] Scientists are attempting to create an erectile dysfunction treatment that can be combined with other medicines out of thepeptide that causes this reaction.[63]

Australian funnel-web spiders

Main article: Australian funnel-web spiders

The Australian funnel-web spiders, such as the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus (a mygalomorph only distantly related to the araneomorphfunnel-web spiders) are regarded as among the most dangerous in the world. They react vigorously to threats and, reputedly, will more often attemptto bite than run away. A. robustus, a large black spider, is found within a radius of about 100 km from Sydney. Its venom contains a compound knownas atracotoxin which is highly toxic to primates. Unlike the Brazilian wandering spider, which is alleged to occasionally deliver dry bites, thesespiders typically deliver a full envenomation when they bite.[64][65]

A. robustus is one of three designated species of the genus Atrax.[66][67] The related genus Hadronyche is represented by about 40 other dangerous


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Threat display by a Sydneyfunnel-web spider (Atrax robustus).

Range of the two genera (Hadronycheand Atrax) of venomous Australianfunnel-web spiders

Latrodectus hasselti, the Redbackspider

species in eastern Australia, including Queensland and Tasmania. The males in this case have somewhat morepotent venom than females and they also wander, making them more likely to be encountered in summer. Bitesby males of two large species, the Sydney funnel-web and northern tree funnel-web, have resulted in death.[68]

One other genus in the Hexathelidae family has been reported to cause severe symptoms in humans. Severebites have been attributed to members of the genus Macrothele in Taiwan, but no fatalities.[46]

Tangle-web spiders

Two genera of the tangle web spiders have venom which is known to be medically significant. One genus, thewidow spiders of genus Latrodectus, has caused more human fatalities than any other. The other genus, thefalse widow spiders of Steatoda, has a far less serious bite.

Widow spiders

Main article: Widow spider

The widow spiders (genus Latrodectus), such as the black widow,redback spider, and katipo are spiders that carry a neurotoxic venom[69]which can cause a set of symptoms known as Latrodectism.

Like many spiders, widows have very poor vision, and they move withdifficulty when not on their web. Widow spiders are large, strong-looking house spiders (but still have relatively spindly legs and deep,globular abdomens). The abdomen is dark and shiny, and has one orseveral red spots, either above or below. The spots may take the form ofan hourglass, or two triangles, point-to-point. Male widows, like mostspider species, are much smaller than the females and may have avariety of streaks and spots on a browner, less globular abdomen. Themales are generally less dangerous than the females of the same

species. Widows tend to be non-aggressive, but will bite if the web is disturbed and the spider feels threatened.

The venom, while seldom life-threatening, produces very painful effects including muscle spasms, 'tetanus-like' contractions and, in some cases,spinal or cerebral paralysis (which is generally temporary, but might leave permanent damage to central nervous system). A serious bite will oftenrequire a short hospital stay. Children, elderly, and ill individuals are at most risk of serious effects.

False black widows


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Steatoda bipunctata

Main article: Steatoda

The False black widow spiders (also known as false katipo, false button spider, cupboard spider, and inAustralia, brown house spider) are spiders of the genus Steatoda. They resemble widow spiders in size andphysical form, due to being members of the same family. While the bite of Steatoda spiders is nowhere near asserious as that of true widow spiders, several of these spiders do have medically significant bites. The bite ofSteatoda grossa, commonly known as the cupboard spider, is known to cause symptoms which have beendescribed as a very minor widow bite; the medical community now refers to the symptoms of Steatoda bites assteatodism. Other spiders in this genus known to be problem biters include two chiefly European varieties, S.paykulliana and S. nobilis, and a species found mainly in New Zealand and South Africa, S. capensis

Use of widow spider antivenom has been shown effective in treating steatodism.[70] The genera Steatoda andLatrodectus are biologically close cousins; both belong to the family Theridiidae. There are over 100 species inthis genus, but only several species have been associated with medically significant bites.

Members of this genus are characterized by the "D" shape of the cephalothorax, and the way the relatively straight line thus formed is mirrored by theblunt forward surface of the abdomen. Other genera in this family generally have cephalothoraxes that are more oval in shape or even rather round,and that give the appearance of two body parts that are joined by a small connector.

Sicariidae spiders

The family Sicariidae includes two genera which inflict necrotoxic bites. One genus, Loxosceles, comprises the recluse spiders (below). The othergenus, Sicarius is found only in the southern hemisphere, an example being the Six-eyed sand spider, Sicarius hahni

Six-eyed sand spiders

Main article: Six-eyed sand spider

The six-eyed sand spider, of southern Africa and others of the genus Sicarius inject a cytotoxic venom, believed to contain sphingomyelinase D,[71]for which there is currently no antivenom. Fortunately, this specimen rarely interacts with humans, and is seldom known to bite. This spider buriesitself in sand in order to ambush prey that wanders nearby. Sand particles adhere to cuticles on its abdomen, thus acting as a natural camouflage ifuncovered. If disturbed, it will run a short distance and bury itself again.

Recluse spiders

Main article: Recluse spider


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Brown recluse

Recluse spiders (Loxosceles spp.), such as the brown recluse spider, also known as "violin spiders," "fiddlers," or"fiddlebacks," from the dark violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax, are slow-moving, retiring spiders whichwander about in dim areas and under things, and so are more easily trapped against one's skin by clothing, bedsheets, etc. The spiders will often creep along at a very slow pace and then make a sudden dart for a couple of inches,then return to the previous languid pace. Recluses are extremely venomous. Most encounters with this spider occurfrom moving boxes or rooting about in closets or under beds. The range of the brown recluse, L. reclusa in the US isapproximately the southern two-thirds by the eastern three-quarters of the country. A number of related reclusespiders (some non-native introductions) are found in southern California and nearby areas.[72][73]

Most recluse spider bites are minor with little or no necrosis. However, a small number of bites produce severedermonecrotic lesions, and, sometimes, severe systemic symptoms, including organ damage. Rarely the bite may alsoproduce the systemic condition with occasional fatalities.

A minority of bites form a necrotizing ulcer that destroys soft tissue and may take months and, on very rare occasions, years to heal, leaving deepscars similar to MRSA. The damaged tissue will become gangrenous and eventually slough away. The initial bite frequently cannot be felt and theremay be no pain, but over time the wound may grow to as large as 10 inches (25 cm) in extreme cases. Bites usually become painful and itchy within 2to 8 hours, pain and other local effects worsen 12 to 36 hours after the bite with the necrosis developing over the next few days.[20]

Serious systemic effects may occur before this time, as the venom spreads throughout the body in minutes. Mild symptoms include nausea, vomiting,fever, rashes, and muscle and joint pain. Rarely more severe symptoms occur including hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascularcoagulation.[21] Debilitated patients, the elderly, and children may be more susceptible to systemic loxoscelism. Deaths have been reported for boththe brown recluse and the related South American species L. laeta and L. intermedia.[citation needed]

Even more dangerous is the Chilean recluse, a species native to South America and found in many parts of the world, including in southern Californiaand other southwestern states. Bites of this spider have been known to cause systemic reactions in 15% of reported cases, and fatalities in 3-4% ofcases.[74]

Mouse spiders

Main article: mouse spider

The mouse spiders of the genus Missulena are a type of primitive burrowing spider found primarily in Australia. Several species of this genus areknown to possess a venom which contains compounds similar to atracotoxin, the substance in funnel-web venom which is deadly to humans, andthere have been several recorded bites by this spider producing severe symptoms requiring emergency medical treatment. However, unlike thefunnel-web spiders, which have resulted in at least 13 deaths in the last 100 years,[36] there are no recorded human fatalities due to mouse spider bites,and many bites by this spider result in no serious complications. It is suspected that unlike Atrax and Hadronyche, which typically deliver full


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Mouse spider

Mexican Red Knee tarantula(Brachypelma sp.), a new-worldspecies

Cobalt blue tarantula (Haplopelmalividum), an old-world species

envenomations when they bite, that mouse spiders often give "dry" bites. When severe envenomation doesoccur, funnel-web antivenom has been shown to be effective.[75]

Tarantulas

Main article: Tarantula

The tarantulas of the family Theraphosidae are fearsome-looking spiders with (sometimes justified) reputationsfor inflicting harm. As large spiders, they have very powerful fangs and are capable of delivering a sizablequantity of venom. However, many tarantula species are known to be relatively harmless to humans.

New-world tarantulas

New-world tarantulasthose indigenous to the Americashave bites that generally pose little threat tohumans (other than causing localized pain). The primary defense deployed by these spiders is by means ofurticating hairs, which can cause irritant symptoms in humans.

Old-world tarantulas

Old-world tarantulas, especially those indigenous to Asia, lackurticating hairs and use biting as a defensive mechanism as well forsubduing prey. They are far less docile than new-world tarantulas, andare more likely to bite when provoked. Incomplete studies of old-worldtarantula venoms, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggests that they aremore potent than those of new-world counterparts.[citation needed]

There have been reports of significant bites by Poecilotheria species,occasionally resulting in hospitalization. Symptoms include localized

pain and swelling, exhaustion, moderate to severe muscle cramping, labored breathing and fever, sometimesdelayed days after the initial bite.[76][77][78][79]

One tarantula whose venom has been studied extensively is the Chinese bird spider, a tarantula of thesubfamily Ornithoctoninae. The venom has been found to contain numerous novel toxins, is effective at killingmice, and has been blamed for at least one fatality in China.[citation needed] However, there is little documentedclinical evidence of the effects of this spiders' bite in humans, so firm conclusions about the level of dangerposed by this spider cannot be drawn.


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Yellow Sac spider Cheiracanthiumpunctorium

Male Hobo Spider - note the largepedipalps

Yellow Sac spiders

Main article: Yellow sac spider

The Yellow Sac spiders, Cheiracanthium sp., take shelter in silk tubes during the daytime and generally comeout to hunt at night.[citation needed] These pale yellow or whitish spiders are often found in houses at the top ofwalls, or wandering across ceilings. They are also commonly found outdoors on foliage. The draglines theyleave while hunting are one of the most common "spiderwebs" that are removed with broom and vacuumcleaner. People may unintentionally make contact with them in the dark and so be bitten if the spider isirritated or provoked. However, many people will live their entire lives in close proximity to them and neversuffer a bite. Nevertheless, the spider's bite is considered toxic.[citation needed]

Others

There are several species of spider (and a few other arachnids which are not spiders, but are frequently confused with them), who have hadunsupported reputations for being harmful to humans. In some cases, that the species is now considered harmless is a settled matter for arachnologistsand other professionals; in other cases (such as the hobo spider), prior scientific belief that a spider is harmful to humans is now being questioned.

Hobo spiders

Main article: Hobo spider

The hobo spider, Tegenaria agrestis, may wander away from its web, especially in the fall, and thus come intocontact with people and potentially bite. This spider is found in the northwestern United States, westernCanada and throughout much of Europe. Studies performed by arachnologist Darwin Vest reported that thisspider's venom caused significant necrotic effects in laboratory animals,[80][81] and medical authorities in thePacific Northwest who were aware of Vest's research subsequently blamed this spider for at least one fatality.Many agricultural authorities have published the advice that this species is potentially harmful, and medicalpersonnel in the western United States and Canada have been advised to consider hobo spider bites whenpatients present with necrotic wounds. Many brown recluse bites have been reported in the U.S. west coaststates (Washington, Oregon, and northern California) where populations of brown recluse spiders have notbeen found; some of these alleged bites have been attributed to hobo spiders instead.[47]

However, in Europe, where the spider originates, the species is considered a harmless outdoor relative of the common house spider (Tegenariadomestica), and no other spider in the genus Tegenaria is considered to be harmful to people. Attempts to replicate Vest's study that reported necroticeffects of the venom have failed, thus casting the "dangerous" status of this spider into doubt. In addition, Vest's methodologies have been questioned;


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Lycosa tarantula. Its back is coveredwith recently hatched spiderlings.

he has been accused of incorrectly attributing symptoms to hobo spider bites when no positive identification of the spider was made. The one fatalityattributed to the spider by medical authorities has also been questioned, and there are no documented cases where an otherwise-healthy person hasdeveloped a necrotic lesion from a positively-identified hobo spider bite. Many scientists now question whether or not the spider is harmful atall.[82][83]

Lycosa tarantula

Lycosa tarantula, a species of wolf spider which is found near Taranto, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro (and theorigin of the name tarantula, which today refers to a completely different kind of spider), was once blamed fora condition known as tarantism. Workers in the fields would suffer bites, and observe large, conspicuous, hairyspiders in the area. That spider, L. tarantula, was blamed for the pain and suffering (and occasional death)associated with tarantism. It is known that the bite of L. tarantula, while sometimes painful, has no seriousmedical consequences for humans. It is also suspected that the real culprit was another spider, Latrodectustredecimguttatus, a type of widow spider, and one which is now known to be very dangerous to people. LycosaRaptoria of South America has been reported (although still controversial) to have caused a painful bitefollowed by intense tissue swelling and in some cases either mild systemic effects or a necrotic lesion. Itproves that, since so many spider bites are either unreported or misidentified, many of the large "vagrant"spiders such as Dolomedes, Lycosa, Ctenid (including the dangerous Phoneutria) and the Sparassids(Huntsman spiders) can all deliver bites of potential medical importance. In many cases, depending on ahuman beings age, immune system and sensitivity, a normally harmless spider bite to some humans can wreakhavoc with others including anaphylactic shock, bacterial infections, sepsis, extreme swelling in the joints near the site of the bite, and necroticlesions. In one case, a roof worker in New Hampshire was bitten by a large Dolomedes spider known as Dolomedes tenebrosus and within a fewhours, his hand swelled up with radiating pain spreading up his arm plus dizziness and slight nausea. Later the bite wound produced a painful necroticlesion that took weeks to heal and this was from a spider reportedly harmless. The question is, has this spider simply not been tested for its venomtoxicity or was the victim allergic or hyper sensitive?

White-tailed spiders

White-tailed spiders (Lampona spp.), indigenous to Australia and present as an invasive pest in New Zealand, have been blamed for a necrotic bite,producing symptoms similar to a brown recluse. However, a scientific study published in 2003 showed that their bites produce pain equivalent to abee sting, a red mark, local swelling and itchiness; very occasionally nausea, vomiting, malaise or headache may occur. The study of 130 white-tailedspider bites found no necrotic ulcers or confirmed infections.[24]

Harvestman

The spider-like arachnids known as Opiliones (also known as "harvestmen" or "daddy-long-legs"), are a species often handled by humans. They are


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Opiliones (harvestman)

the subject of an urban legend which not only claims that Harvestmen are venomous, but are in fact morevenomous than any of the spiders but are incapable of biting humans due to their lack of penetration. This isuntrue on several counts. None of the known species have venom glands or fangs, instead havingchelicerae.[84] In addition, incidents of opiliones biting people are rare, and no reported bites by these specieshave had any lasting effects.

The term "daddy-long-legs" also can refer to the similar-looking cellar spider. This species (a true spider) canbite humans, but its venom is not known to have any effects beyond mild discomfort at the site of the bite.

Sun spiders

The arachnids of the order Solifugae, also known as wind scorpions or sun spiders, are neither spiders nor scorpions. In the Middle East, it is commonbelief among some American soldiers stationed there that Solifugae will feed on living human flesh. The story goes that the creature will inject someanesthetizing venom into the exposed skin of its sleeping victim, then feed voraciously, leaving the victim to awaken with a gaping wound.[citation needed] Solifugae, however, do not produce such an anesthetic, and do not attack prey larger than themselves unless threatened.

Further, Solifugae are known to not possess any venom (other than one species in India, which may possess venom according to one study[85]).However, due to the large size of their jaws, bites by Solifugae can cause significant wounds, which should be treated accordingly to avoidinfection.[86]

Historical remedies

Recorded treatment from the 1890s for spider bites in general was rubbing in tobacco juice to the bitten skin,[87] similar to some of the traditional usesof the tobacco plant for various bites and stings from Central and South America.[88]

See also

ArachnoServer databaseList of cutaneous conditionsList of spiders associated with cutaneous reactionsRaventoxinSkin lesionVanillotoxin


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External links

Brazilian article reporting medical research (http://www.scielo.br/.php?pid=S0036-46652000000100003&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en)Medical Journal of Australia article gives statistics on the most frequent biters and the most serious bites. (http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/182_08_180405/isb10564_fm.html)Pictures and descriptions of spider bites from around the world. (http://www.badspiderbites.com/spider-bite.php)Richard S. Vetter and P. Kirk Visscher of the University of California at Riverside (http://spiders.ucr.edu/dermatol.html)


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Spider bites are an overrated menace (http://www.dbskeptic.com/2008/02/03/spider-bites-are-an-overrated-menace/)How to Tell the Difference between MRSA and a Spider Bite (http://www.themrsa.com/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-mrsa-and-a-spider-bite/)CDC - Venomous Spiders - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spiders/)

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