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Case Report: Soldier With Latrodectism After Black Widow Spider Bite During a Field Training Exercise
Bryan E Kubena1, Mohamad A Umar2, Jerimiah D Walker2
1C Co. 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY 42223, USA.
Military Medicine
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Black widow spider (BWS) bites causing latrodectism are rare but can lead to severe symptoms like abdominal pain and myocarditis. Military personnel in field training face increased BWS bite risk.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Arachnology
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Latrodectism, a severe systemic reaction to black widow spider (BWS) bites, is uncommon in the U.S.
- Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, mimicking surgical emergencies, and potentially acute myocarditis or rhabdomyolysis.
- BWS inhabit low-lying, dark areas and are active in warmer months.
Observation:
- Military service members training in warm, wooded environments with abundant BWS habitats are at heightened risk.
- A case report details a 26-year-old active duty soldier experiencing latrodectism and possible myocarditis after a suspected BWS bite during field training.
Findings:
- The case highlights a potential link between BWS envenomation and myocarditis in a military context.
- This presentation underscores the importance of recognizing latrodectism in active individuals exposed to BWS habitats.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of latrodectism and its severe manifestations is crucial for military medical providers.
- Preventive measures and prompt diagnosis are essential for service members operating in BWS-prone environments.
- Further research may explore the incidence and specific cardiac effects of BWS bites in military populations.
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