Alpha-Latrotoxin - Incidents

Incidents

Bite incidents of Latrodectus occur usually because of accidental contact with the spiders. The species are not aggressive to humans naturally, but may bite as a defence mechanism when threatened. Exposure occurs because the species house in domestic domains, hiding in clothing and furniture. As such, bite incidents occur accidentally most of the time.

There are no tests that confirm widow spider bites, or latrodectism symptoms., The diagnosis is clinical and based on historic evidence of widow spider bites. Pathognomonic symptoms such as localized sweating and piloerection provide evidence of envenomation. Furthermore, a doctor must consult the patient of places where exposure to widow spiders can occur.

Species of Latrodectus appear globally, but each continent has their own unique species. A few countries actively research bite incidents of these spiders.

In Australia, extensive research has been done to bite incidents of the red back spider (Latrodectus hasselti): - In 1992, Sutherland reported 258 antivenin administrations in Australia for red back spider bite incidents. Two treatments showed adverse reactions (0.8%). - In 1993, Mead and Jelinek published a report on bite incidents in the period 1979-1988 in a children hospital in Perth. There were 241 bite incidents, mostly in the summer, of which 156 were from red back spiders. Twice as many boys were bitten than girls, with a peak age distribution around the second and third year of age. - In 1991-1992, 32 bite incidents due to red back spiders were reported in Alice Springs Hospital. Of the patients, 26 required antivenin (81%).

In the United States, black widow spiders bites have been reported: - In 1981, Key identified 23 patients over the last 3 years treated with calcium gluconate or methocarbamol for black widow spider envenomation. Treatment of calcium gluconate cured 46% of the patients (total of 13), whereas methocarbanol only relieved 10% of the patients (total of 10). - In 1992, Clark et al. reported that an urban toxicology referral center received 163 patients during a 9 year period (1982–1990). Antivenin was administered to 58 patients (36%), who all had symptomatic relief and were cured mostly within an hour. Of the total patients, 55% of the patients had pain relief using opioid analgesics and with combination of benzodiazepines, 70% had pain relief.