[Cutaneous loxoscelism mainly edematous: a case report]

Rev Chilena Infectol. 2015 Aug;32(4):467-71. doi: 10.4067/S0716-10182015000500017.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

In Chile, loxoscelism is caused by the bite of the Loxosceles laeta spider. The clinical presentation has two different forms: cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and vicero-cutaneous loxoscelism, which is less frequent. Cutaneous loxoscelism includes an uncommon clinical variation (4%), called CL with edematous predominance (CLEP). We present a 5-year-old patient with sudden pain and edema on his right eyelid associated with fever, which progressed rapidly involving the right hemifacial area, frontal region, and left eyelid. Angioedema and pre-orbital cellulitis were discarded and CLEP was suspect. Cutaneous loxoscelism with an edematous predominance is self-limited, benign and with little or no necrotic injury due to the edema, which dilutes the toxin-induced enzymatic process causing necrosis. As in the reported cases it usually responds well to medical treatment and does not cause visceral involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chile
  • Edema / etiology*
  • Eyelid Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skin Diseases / etiology*
  • Spider Bites / complications*
  • Spider Venoms / poisoning
  • Spiders / classification

Substances

  • Spider Venoms