Abstract

We describe the case of a 29-year-old man who was bitten on the leg by a katipo spider, a relative of the Australian redback and American black widow spiders, while camping in sand dunes at Mahanga Beach, Mahia (North Island of New Zealand). Symptoms of latrodectism developed within hours, and were not diminished until two doses of the antivenom had been administered. This is only the second case report of a katipo spider bite in the recent literature. The katipo spider bite produces significant symptoms, however an antivenom is available in some hospital pharmacies.

Authors

Thatcher L, Janes R

Institution

Wairoa Hospital, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

Source

The New Zealand medical journal 125:1351 2012 Mar 9 pg 92-4

MeSH

Adult
Animals
Antivenins
Arachnidism
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Leg
Male
New Zealand
Spiders

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22426614