Severe reaction from envenomation by the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae)

The brown widow, Latrodectus geometricus, is one of five species of Latrodectus in the United States, and is reported to be one of the least dangerous. However, we report a previously healthy patient bitten by a brown widow, resulting in a serious reaction requiring hospitalization. Symptoms included severe pain, cramps, nausea/vomiting, and fasciculations in the pectoral and quadriceps muscles. This report signals a need to re-evaluate previously held ideas that brown widow bites are of minor consequence.