Isbister GK; Churchill TB; Hirst DB; Gray MR; Currie BJ

Author(s)

Isbister GK

Churchill TB

Hirst DB

Gray MR

Currie BJ

Publication Date

2001-01-15

Abstract

To determine the types of spiders causing bites and the clinical effects of their bites in tropical Northern Territory (north of the town of Katherine). A prospective study of confirmed and suspected spider-bites and a retrospective analysis of data from a standardised, local database of spider- and snake-bites. Confirmed spider-bites were those in which there was a clear history of the bite, and the captured spider was identified by an arachnologist. Emergency department of a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND DATA SOURCE: All subjects with confirmed or suspected spider-bite presenting to the Emergency Department or referred from August 1999 to August 2000, or identified from the database. Thirty-four subjects had a confirmed spider-bite from an identified spider: 25 in the prospective group and nine in the retrospective group. The spiders were Sparassidae (huntsman spider) (12 bites), Missulena pruinosa (northern mouse spider) (7), Latrodectus (widow spider) (4), Araneidae (orb-weaver) (4), Salticidae (jumping spider) (4), Nemesidae (trapdoor spider) (1), Conothele (1) and Selenocosmia (whistling spider) (1). Clinical effects were local pain in 97% (severe in 29%), redness in 47% and swelling in 24% of cases. Systemic effects occurred in three victims, two of whom were bitten by M. pruinosa. There were no cases of confirmed necrotic arachnidism. None of the spider-bites resulted in severe effects. Compared with data from other parts of Australia, different species were involved and latrodectism was uncommon. Our study highlighted the importance of correctly identifying the spider species.

Affiliation

Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT. gsbite@bigpond.com.

Citation

The Medical journal of Australia 2001-01-15; 174(2): 79-82

ISSN

0025-729X

Pubmed ID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11245508/?otool=iaurydwlib

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6835

MESH subject

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Animals

Child

Child, Preschool

Female

Humans

Infant

Male

Middle Aged

Northern Territory

Prospective Studies

Retrospective Studies

Spider Bites

Spiders

Title

Clinical effects of bites from formally identified spiders in tropical Northern Territory.

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Isbister GK Churchill TB Hirst DB Gray MR Currie BJ
Publication Date	2001-01-15
Abstract	To determine the types of spiders causing bites and the clinical effects of their bites in tropical Northern Territory (north of the town of Katherine). A prospective study of confirmed and suspected spider-bites and a retrospective analysis of data from a standardised, local database of spider- and snake-bites. Confirmed spider-bites were those in which there was a clear history of the bite, and the captured spider was identified by an arachnologist. Emergency department of a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND DATA SOURCE: All subjects with confirmed or suspected spider-bite presenting to the Emergency Department or referred from August 1999 to August 2000, or identified from the database. Thirty-four subjects had a confirmed spider-bite from an identified spider: 25 in the prospective group and nine in the retrospective group. The spiders were Sparassidae (huntsman spider) (12 bites), Missulena pruinosa (northern mouse spider) (7), Latrodectus (widow spider) (4), Araneidae (orb-weaver) (4), Salticidae (jumping spider) (4), Nemesidae (trapdoor spider) (1), Conothele (1) and Selenocosmia (whistling spider) (1). Clinical effects were local pain in 97% (severe in 29%), redness in 47% and swelling in 24% of cases. Systemic effects occurred in three victims, two of whom were bitten by M. pruinosa. There were no cases of confirmed necrotic arachnidism. None of the spider-bites resulted in severe effects. Compared with data from other parts of Australia, different species were involved and latrodectism was uncommon. Our study highlighted the importance of correctly identifying the spider species.
Affiliation	Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT. gsbite@bigpond.com.
Citation	The Medical journal of Australia 2001-01-15; 174(2): 79-82
ISSN	0025-729X
Pubmed ID	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11245508/?otool=iaurydwlib
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6835
MESH subject	Adolescent Adult Aged Animals Child Child, Preschool Female Humans Infant Male Middle Aged Northern Territory Prospective Studies Retrospective Studies Spider Bites Spiders
Title	Clinical effects of bites from formally identified spiders in tropical Northern Territory.
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Clinical effects of bites from formally identified spiders in tropical Northern Territory.

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