Insights into brown spider and loxoscelism

Abstract

Loxosceles is a genus of cosmopolitan spiders comprising several species, and popularly known
as brown spiders or brown recluses. Brown spider bites can cause dermonecrotic lesions and
systemic reactions known as loxoscelism. Systemic effects are less common but may be severe or
even fatal in some patients. Systemic manifestations include intravascular hemolysis, disseminated
intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. A rapid diagnosis and an understanding of the
venom’s molecular activity are crucial for satisfactory treatment. Mechanisms by which venoms exert
their deleterious effects are under investigation, and searches are underway for diagnostic
envenomation assays. Molecular biology is being used to produce quantities of several of the most
important venom molecules and has contributed to the study and understanding of their mechanisms
of action.