N Engl J Med 2005;352:700-7. Copyright © 2005 Massachusetts Medical Society. utaneous injury caused by spider venom has been recognized by physicians in the United States only since the late 1950s, with recluse spiders (genus loxosceles) most frequently implicated. During the past five decades, the growing popular belief that spiders cause many cases of skin necrosis in the United States has re...

Cases of black widow (Latrodectus indistinctus) and brown widow (L. geometricus) spider bites referred to the Tygerberg Pharmacology and Toxicology Consultation Centre from the summer of 1987/88 to the summer of 1991/92 were entered into this series. Of a total of 45 patients, 30 had been bitten by black and 15 by brown widow spiders. It was evident that black widow spider bites caused a more s...

Literature on bird spider or tarantula bites (Theraphosidae) is rare. This is astonishing as they are coveted pets and interaction with their keepers (feeding, cleaning the terrarium or taking them out to hold) might increase the possibility for bites. Yet, this seems to be a rare event and might be why most theraphosids are considered to be harmless, even though the urticating hairs of many Am...

Georgia is on the southeastern margin of the native range of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch and Mulaik. The brown recluse is not a common Georgia spider and has limited distribution in the state. Using recent submissions, previously published records, and examination of museum specimens, we document the spiderÕs presence in 31 (19.5%) of GeorgiaÕs 159 counties, with almost...

Spiders exist in every place and ecosystem. Spiders in tropical regions are particularly poisonous and can be dangerous to humans. Nearly 20,000 spider species are known, and almost all are venomous, although only 60 species worldwide are poisonous in humans. In our area, eight species are reported as poisonous in humans. Although most cases of spider bite are benign and require no intervention...