Related Experiment Videos
Widow spider envenomation (latrodectism): a worldwide problem.
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, West Australia.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
|May 7, 2002
Summary
Widow spider envenomation, or latrodectism, is common globally. Management and antivenin use vary significantly between regions like Australia and the United States, impacting treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Widow spider (Latrodectus) envenomation, known as latrodectism, occurs worldwide.
- Regional variations in clinical presentation and management protocols exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review widow spider envenomation globally.
- To emphasize regional variability in management, particularly between the United States and Australia.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of Medline database (1966-1997) and toxinology textbooks.
- Inclusion of clinical reports and series on widow spider bites.
- Keywords: widow spider, latrodectism, red back spider.
Main Results:
- Latrodectism is a common worldwide condition, with local pain and sweating being predominant symptoms.
- Australia may have the highest incidence of latrodectism globally.
- Significant regional disparities in antivenin administration and adverse reaction rates were observed between Australia and the United States.
Conclusions:
- Latrodectism is a prevalent global envenomation.
- Australian intramuscular antivenin use shows low reaction rates and high efficacy.
- US intravenous antivenin use is reserved for severe cases, with higher reported allergic reactions and recorded deaths.