Suspected Brown Recluse Spider Envenomation: Missed Diagnosis and Delayed Treatment of Loxoscelism: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2022 Nov 3;12(4). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00344. eCollection 2022 Oct 1.

Abstract

Case: We report the case of a previously healthy 51-year-old man who presented to our hospital after worsening clinical appearance of his left ring finger, despite antibiotics and previous surgical drainage for suspected abscess at an outside institution 3 weeks ago. He was admitted to our hospital for surgical debridement and decompression. After suspicion of cutaneous loxoscelism based on the clinical record and corticosteroid administration, the patient presented a favorable evolution.

Conclusion: Cutaneous loxoscelism caused by a spider bite is present in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean area, and should be considered in cases of skin infections which do not respond to antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Brown Recluse Spider
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Missed Diagnosis
  • Spider Bites* / diagnosis
  • Spider Bites* / therapy
  • Spider Venoms*
  • Time-to-Treatment

Substances

  • Spider Venoms
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents