Toxic Spiders of the United States: A Case Report and Discussion

Abstract

Although there are over 20,000 species of spiders in the United States serious complications from envenomation is restricted to only two genera: Loxoceles species (i.e., brown recluse type spiders) and Latrodectus species (i.e., black widow type spiders). Loxoceles species venom is primarily cyto/hemo toxic. It produces local necrotic lesions and occasionally systemic reactions including disseminated intravascular coagulation. Latrodectus species venom is primarily neurotoxic with little more than local erythema at the bite site, but with serious systemic effects from paresthesias to paralysis. A horse serum derived antivenin is available for Latrodectus envenomation while surgical intervention is often necessary for large necrotic lesions associated with Loxoceles envenomation.