Charles Darwin University

CDU eSpace
Institutional Repository

 
CDU Staff and Student only
 

A prospective study of 750 definite spider bites, with expert spider identification

Isbister, Geoffrey K. and Gray, M. R. (2002). A prospective study of 750 definite spider bites, with expert spider identification. QJM: an international journal of medicine,95(11):723-731.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Altmetric Score Altmetric Score is 6
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar

Title A prospective study of 750 definite spider bites, with expert spider identification
Author Isbister, Geoffrey K.
Gray, M. R.
Journal Name QJM: an international journal of medicine
Publication Date 2002
Volume Number 95
Issue Number 11
ISSN 1460-2725   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 723
End Page 731
Total Pages 9
Place of Publication United Kingdom
Publisher Oxford University Press
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Background: Spider bite is a subject of much medical mythology with prevalent fears that spiders cause severe envenoming, with neurotoxic effects or necrotic ulcers. Clinical experience and small studies suggest otherwise, but this has not been confirmed by prospective studies of bites by identified spiders.

Aim: To describe the clinical effects of bites by accurately identified spiders, and determine whether early clinical features and circumstances can predict spider type.

Design: Prospective follow‐up study.

Methods: Patients were recruited from admissions to two emergency departments (n=48) and referrals from three state poison information centres (n=1426), over 27 months. Overall, there were 750 people with definite spider bites where the spiders were immediately collected and expertly identified.

Results: Significant effects occurred in 44 bites (6%), including 37 (of 56) redback spider bites (Latrodectus hasselti) with significant pain lasting >24 h. Of these, only 6 (11%) received antivenom. One severe neurotoxic envenoming by an Australian funnelweb spider required antivenom. No definite spider bites resulted in necrotic ulcers (0%, 99%CI 0–0.7%). There were no early allergic reactions and secondary infection occurred in seven cases (0.9%, 95%CI 0.4–1.9%). Circumstances and early clinical effects were strongly associated with taxonomic spider identification, with positive predictive values >0.95 for common groups of spiders.

Conclusions: Australian spider bite caused minor effects in most cases and is unlikely to cause necrotic ulcers, allergic reactions or infection. Redback spider bite (widow spider) caused prolonged pain, and antivenom could have been used more frequently. The circumstances and early clinical features of spider bites may allow early appropriate advice and treatment of spider bite without taxonomic identification.
Keywords Arachnidism
Australian
bites
classification
diagnosis
envenoming
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/95.11.723   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Access Statistics: 181 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Mon, 26 Nov 2007, 15:07:47 CST