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Black house spiders are unlikely culprits in necrotic arachnidism: a prospective study
Author(s) -
Isbister G. K.,
Gray M. R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/j.1444-0903.2004.00562.x
Subject(s) - medicine , erythema , surgery , prospective cohort study , dermatology , confidence interval
Twenty‐five patients with definite bites by Badumna spp. spiders were recruited prospectively. Bites occurred across Australia, 92% from October to March, and most during daylight. Pain occurred in all cases, was severe in seven cases, with a median duration of 5 min. Other effects included: puncture marks (24%), swelling (12%) and erythema (68%). Minor systemic effects occurred in 4 bites. No patient had a necrotic ulcer (0%; 97.5% confidence interval 0−14%). Black house spiders ( Badumna spp.) are unlikely to cause necrosis, contrary to reports of suspected bites. Patients can be reassured and do not require any further investigation or treatment. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 287−289)