Toxic traveler? Latrodectus species envenomation in Michigan with refractory symptoms after antivenin administration.
A 17-year-old male was envenomated on the right forearm by a black widow spider that had presumably traveled in a packaged dishwasher and been shipped from Mexico to Michigan. The patient experienced vomiting and severe pain in his abdomen and chest approximately 30 min after being bitten. He received 6000 units (1 vial) of Latrodectus antivenin intravenously about 7 h after he was envenomated. He did not experience significant improvement in his symptoms after the administration of antivenin and additional antivenin was not given. The patient was hospitalized for 7 days and still was complaining of intermittent episodes of pain in his chest and lower back 3 weeks after envenomation. To avoid prolonged symptomatology and hospitalization, additional Latrodectus antivenin should be given promptly to those individuals whose symptoms are not ameliorated after 1 vial.
Edberg
Allison L
AL
Metro Health/Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Program in Emergency Medicine, Grand Rapids, USA.
Lanphear
Jackson R
JR
Riley
Bradley D
BD
Judge
Bryan S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001740:Black Widow Spider; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008824:Michigan; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D001098:Spider Bites / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000997:Antivenins; D013111:Spider Venoms