title: Brown spiders and loxoscelism.
abstract: Accidents caused by brown spiders (Loxosceles genus) are classically associated with dermonecrotic lesions and systemic manifestations including intravascular haemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. Systemic reactions occur in a minority of cases, but may be severe in some patients and occasionally fatal. The mechanisms by which Loxosceles venom exerts these noxious effects are currently under investigation. The venom contains several toxins, some of which have been well-characterised biochemically and biologically. The purpose of the present review is to describe some insights into loxoscelism obtained over the last ten years. The biology and epidemiology of the brown spider, the histopathology of envenomation and the immunogenicity of Loxosceles venom are reviewed, as are the clinical features, diagnosis and therapy of brown spider bites. The identification and characterisation of some toxins and the mechanism of induction of local and systemic lesions caused by brown spider venom are also discussed. Finally, the biotechnological application of some venom toxins are covered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Jardim das Américas 81531-990, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Henrique
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Rafael Bertoni
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: da Silveira
authors.forename: Márcia Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Appel
authors.forename: Oldemir Carlos
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Mangili
authors.forename: Waldemiro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gremski
authors.forename: Silvio Sanches
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Veiga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity; D013112:Spiders / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013111:Spider Venoms; C055161:loxosceles venom; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases