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Necrotising arachnidism — A possible new Australian syndrome
To~icon, Supp1 .3, p .435, 1983 . Printed in Great Britain .
Pergamon Press Ltd .
NECROTISING ARACBNIDISM - A POSSIBLE NEW AUSTRALIAN SYNDROME S .R . Sutherland Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Parkwille, Melbourne, 3052, Australia . In recent years in southern unusual injuries which have not treated at least 12 cases since recently published (Si1THERLAND,
parts of Australia some patients are presenting with previously been described . Plastic surgeons have now 1978 . The moat significant case histories have been 1982) .
Three distinct types of in~uriea have been seen . In the mildest form, a slow, progressive and relatively painless full thickness skin lose occurs and extends in some instances to an area of 50 cm2 or more . Cultures for bacteria are negative and no systemic disturbances occur . In the second type, excrutiating pain occurs around the region of the ? bite and varying degrees of skin loan are apparent by 24 hours . Sometimes pain and redness may persist for a number of days but no skin loss occurs . In the third and most severe presentation, local skin rapidly discolours and full thickness akin lose occurs . Gross swelling may develop proximal to the area of akin damage but it is the systemic toxicity which causes greatest concern . The systemic features consist of shock, prostration and severe diarrhoea . The latter in a case of a child resulted in life threatening dehydration . Initially there is no pyrexia and blood cultures are negative . Some non-specific toxic changea are seen in blood films . In one case a nephrotic syndrome developed and contributed towards the patient's death . Certain spiders such as those of the genus Lycosa are under suspicion but the culprits) have yet to be definitely identified . Another suspect is the White-tailed spider fhmnpona aylindmta) which is very commonly found inside bedrooms etc, Until the creature or creatures respanaible for these syndromes ie determined, it is not possible to commence work on antivenom preparation . In the meantime, the venom glands of a variety of common spiders are being examined for abnormal toxicity . REFERENCES SUTf1ERLAND, S,R . (1982) . Australian Animal Toxins, The creatures, their toxine and care of the poisoned . Oxford University Press . Oxford, New York, Melbourne,
Pergamon Press Ltd .
NECROTISING ARACBNIDISM - A POSSIBLE NEW AUSTRALIAN SYNDROME S .R . Sutherland Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Parkwille, Melbourne, 3052, Australia . In recent years in southern unusual injuries which have not treated at least 12 cases since recently published (Si1THERLAND,
parts of Australia some patients are presenting with previously been described . Plastic surgeons have now 1978 . The moat significant case histories have been 1982) .
Three distinct types of in~uriea have been seen . In the mildest form, a slow, progressive and relatively painless full thickness skin lose occurs and extends in some instances to an area of 50 cm2 or more . Cultures for bacteria are negative and no systemic disturbances occur . In the second type, excrutiating pain occurs around the region of the ? bite and varying degrees of skin loan are apparent by 24 hours . Sometimes pain and redness may persist for a number of days but no skin loss occurs . In the third and most severe presentation, local skin rapidly discolours and full thickness akin lose occurs . Gross swelling may develop proximal to the area of akin damage but it is the systemic toxicity which causes greatest concern . The systemic features consist of shock, prostration and severe diarrhoea . The latter in a case of a child resulted in life threatening dehydration . Initially there is no pyrexia and blood cultures are negative . Some non-specific toxic changea are seen in blood films . In one case a nephrotic syndrome developed and contributed towards the patient's death . Certain spiders such as those of the genus Lycosa are under suspicion but the culprits) have yet to be definitely identified . Another suspect is the White-tailed spider fhmnpona aylindmta) which is very commonly found inside bedrooms etc, Until the creature or creatures respanaible for these syndromes ie determined, it is not possible to commence work on antivenom preparation . In the meantime, the venom glands of a variety of common spiders are being examined for abnormal toxicity . REFERENCES SUTf1ERLAND, S,R . (1982) . Australian Animal Toxins, The creatures, their toxine and care of the poisoned . Oxford University Press . Oxford, New York, Melbourne,