Back to Search
Start Over
Brown spiders (Loxosceles) are taking hold in Pernambuco, Brazil: a case series, 2018-2022.
- Source :
-
Epidemiologia e servicos de saude : revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil [Epidemiol Serv Saude] 2024 Jan 15; Vol. 33, pp. e2023568. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 15 (Print Publication: 2024). - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Objective: To describe accidents involving brown spider (genus Loxosceles) bites notified by the Pernambuco Poison Information and Care Center (CIATox-PE), Brazil, from January 2018 to December 2022.<br />Methods: This was a case series study of brown spider bites notified by the CIATox-PE.<br />Results: The study included 22 cases with median age of 35 years, the majority being female (13); the cases occurred in rural and urban areas (12 versus 10), at night (10); Petrolina was the municipality with the highest number of notifications (6); spider bites occurred mainly in the lower (11) and upper (9) limbs, almost exclusively inside households (21); specific serum therapy was not indicated for 8 cases because the time for its effectiveness had already elapsed.<br />Conclusion: Loxoscelism cases occurred more frequently in females, in both rural and urban areas and mainly at home, with delays in seeking medical care.<br />Main Results: The 22 cases described represent an alert for the presence of a venomous species not reported in previous studies in Pernambuco. The severity of cases may be associated with delays in seeking medical care, especially due to the population's lack of information.<br />Implications for Services: Identify the presence of brown spiders in households in the region and the potential severity of poisonings. Alert health professionals to recognize the clinical picture with a view to appropriate early treatment.<br />Perspectives: Develop research on poisoning by venomous animals and educational actions alerting the population to prevent these accidents and updating health professionals on care.
Details
- Language :
- English; Portuguese
- ISSN :
- 2237-9622
- Volume :
- 33
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Epidemiologia e servicos de saude : revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38232241
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e2023568.en