Received: October 10, 2007.

Accepted: November 11, 2007.

Abstract published online: December 7, 2007.

Full paper published online: March 8, 2008.

Loxosceles SPIDER BITE IN TURKEY (Loxosceles rufescens, SICARIIDAE, ARANEAE)

YIGIT  N. (1), BAYRAM  A. (1), ULASOGLU  D. (2), DANISMAN  T. (1), CORAK OCAL  I. (1), SANCAK  Z. (1)

(1) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, University of Kirikkale, Kirikkale, Turkey; (2) Vera Pest Control, Ulus, Istanbul, Turkey.

ABSTRACT: Loxoscelism is caused by envenomation by spiders that belong to the Loxosceles genus. In loxoscelism, a local necrotic lesion appears and, in many cases, loxoscelism or necrotic araneism is considered a serious public health problem. There is no diagnostic test available to help the physician make a diagnostic or therapeutic decision. Here, we report the case of a severe dermonecrotic araneism (loxoscelism) in Turkey probably due to the bite of Loxosceles rufescens. There was little erythema at the beginning, followed by severe necrosis after 20 days, and skin grafting was needed although the case was treated.

KEY WORDS: spider bite, loxoscelism, skin grafting, Loxosceles rufescens, Turkey.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

NAZIFE YIGIT, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, University of Kirikkale, 71450 Kirikkale, Turkey. Phone: +90 318 357 24 78. Fax: +90 318 357 24 61. Email: naz_yigit2@hotmail.com.