Case Report

Severe Reaction from Envenomation by the Brown Widow Spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae)

Authors: Jerome Goddard, PhD, Stacy Upshaw, MD, David Held, PhD, Kerry Johnnson, PhD

Abstract

The brown widow, Latrodectus geometricus, is one of five species of Latrodectus in the United States, and is reported to be one of the least dangerous. However, we report a previously healthy patient bitten by a brown widow, resulting in a serious reaction requiring hospitalization. Symptoms included severe pain, cramps, nausea/vomiting, and fasciculations in the pectoral and quadriceps muscles. This report signals a need to re-evaluate previously held ideas that brown widow bites are of minor consequence.

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