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Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021 May 26:1-12. Epub 2021 May 26.

Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.

Context: In recent years, the Noble false widow spider (Thorell, 1875) has expanded its range globally and may represent a potential threat to native ecosystems and public health. Increasing numbers in synanthropic habitats have led to more human encounters and envenomations. bites were previously classed as medically significant with similarities to bites from true black widows of the genus but deemed milder in onset, with symptoms generally ranging from mild to moderate. Read More

Mil Med 2021 May 24. Epub 2021 May 24.

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX 76544, USA.

Latrodectism from black widow spider (BWS) bites is rare in the United States. Latrodectism is a severe systemic manifestation of the envenomation that includes severe abdominal pain mimicking acute surgical abdomen and, in rare cases, could lead to acute myocarditis and rhabdomyolysis. The BWS typically inhabits dark, low-lying areas such as woodpiles, tree stumps, outdoor storage, outdoor furniture, outdoor toilets, and rock piles and is most active during warm weather months. Read More

J Emerg Med 2021 May 13. Epub 2021 May 13.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: Black widow spiders are distributed worldwide and, although rarely fatal, account for significant morbidity. Diagnosis can be challenging, and children are at risk of increased morbidity due to their small size.

Case Report: We present a case of a 3-year-old boy who was brought to our emergency department because of sudden ear pain followed by labored breathing, abdominal pain, refusal or inability to speak, and grunting respirations. Read More

Toxicon 2021 Apr 19;194:86-89. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Stony Brook University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA.

Black widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) are generally perceived as inhabiting southern or western United States. However, some species, such as the northern black widow, Latrodectus variolus, are also found in more temperate regions of USA and adjacent Canada. Read More

J Med Entomol 2021 01;58(1):99-103

Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Two species of black widow spider (BWS-Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie and Latrodectus variolus Walckenaer) naturally occur in Canada and are capable of causing deleterious envenomation to humans. No Canadian literature exists on the frequency of envenomations by these species or the use of antivenom in the treatment of those patients. A review of primary Canadian arachnology data was undertaken to identify BWS populations. Read More

Toxicon X 2020 Dec 24;8:100062. Epub 2020 Oct 24.

Protein and Proteomics Research Center for Commercial and Industrial Purposes (ProCCI), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Spiders use their venom for defence and to capture prey. These venoms contain a cocktail of biologically active compounds that display several different biological activities, such as large molecules and small molecules including peptides, proteins/enzymes, and other components. Thus, venom constituents have attracted the attention of biochemists and pharmacologists over the years. Read More

Toxicon 2020 Dec 14;188:76-79. Epub 2020 Oct 14.

Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USA.

The Brown Widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is an invasive species whose geographic range has been expanding worldwide. It is a relative species of the Black Widow and Red-backed spiders of the genus Latrodectus. Despite its broad geographic distribution cases of Brown Widow envenomation have rarely been documented. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jul 13;12(7):e9165. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, USA.

Latrodectus geometricus, also known as the brown widow or brown button spider, is an unrenowned relative of the American black widow. While brown widow envenomation is generally thought of as mild, it does have the potential to lead to moderate or severe features similar to black widow bites. We report a case of brown widow envenomation that led to a moderate reaction including rash, local pain, pain radiating proximally in the extremity and nausea. Read More

Toxicon 2020 Oct 6;186:78-82. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

New Mexico Poison Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Electronic address:

Envenomations during pregnancy have consequences affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. U.S. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2020 06 18;12(6). Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, MolSys RU, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.

The noble false widow spider originates from the Macaronesian archipelago and has expanded its range globally. Outside of its natural range, it may have a negative impact on native wildlife, and in temperate regions it lives in synanthropic environments where it frequently encounters humans, subsequently leading to envenomations. is the only medically significant spider in Ireland and the UK, and envenomations have resulted in local and systemic neurotoxic symptoms similar to true black widows (genus ). Read More

Toxicon 2020 May 13;179:107-110. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Salvatore Maugeri Foundation Scientific Institute of Pavia Via Maugeri, Italy.

Introduction: Latrodectism is a rare, but potentially severe, clinical syndrome caused by spider of the genus Latrodectus. L. tredecimguttatus is widespread in Italy and its bite cause the injection of α-latrotoxin that cause depletion of acetylcholine at motor nerve endings and release of catecholamines at adrenergic nerve endings. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2020 03 31;31(1):116-118. Epub 2020 Jan 31.

Department of Medical Toxicology, University Medical Center PhoenixPhoenix, Arizona; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona.

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020 04 17;58(4):301-302. Epub 2019 Sep 17.

200 W. Arbor Drive, MC8676 San Diego, CA 92103, USA.

J Emerg Med 2019 Oct 3;57(4):523-526. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: Black widow spider (Latrodectus spp) envenomation represents the most medically significant spider envenomation in the United States, prompting more than 2500 calls to poison centers annually. The female spider, which is responsible for symptomatic envenomations, is classically described as a shiny black spider with a red hourglass-shaped marking on the ventral abdomen. Clinical features of envenomation include painful muscle cramping, abdominal pain, and autonomic disturbances, such as tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis. Read More

Ann Emerg Med 2019 09 27;74(3):439-449. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO.

Study Objective: The antivenom currently available for treatment of systemic black widow envenomation (latrodectism) is composed of equine whole immunoglobin. Although considered effective, it has been associated with anaphylaxis and 2 reported fatalities. We test the efficacy and safety of new equine antivenom composed of purified F(ab') antibody fragments. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2018 Dec 24;299:67-75. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Instituto Gonçalo Moniz FIOCRUZ, Salvador, BA, Brazil. Electronic address:

The present study was undertaken to characterize the behavioral manifestations of nociception and the local mechanisms involved with the nociceptive response elicited by Latrodectus curacaviensis venom (LCV) in mice. After the intraplantar LCV inoculation, spontaneous nociception, mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds, motor performance, edema and cytokine levels were evaluated using von Frey filaments, hot/cold plate, rota-rod, plethismometer and ELISA, respectively. Analysis of LCV was performed by SDS-PAGE and chromatography. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2018 06 6;36(6):998-1002. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver, CO, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine at Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.

Background: Black widow species (Latrodectus species) envenomation can produce a syndrome characterized by painful muscle rigidity and autonomic disturbances. Symptoms tend to be more severe in young children and adults. We describe black widow spider exposures and treatment in the pediatric age group, and investigate reasons for not using antivenom in severe cases. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2018 06 26;56(6):433-435. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

a Venom Systems & Proteomics Lab, School of Natural Sciences , National University of Ireland Galway , Galway, Republic of Ireland.

Objective: The noble false widow Steatoda nobilis is the only medically significant spider known to occur in the British Isles and Ireland, with a single case of steatodism ever reported from Great Britain. We present here five new cases of envenomations by S. nobilis, three from Ireland and two from Great Britain and describe symptoms not previously reported for the genus Steatoda. Read More

CJEM 2018 07 16;20(4):640-642. Epub 2017 Oct 16.

§Arnprior Hospital,Arnpior,ON.

Latrodectism following Black Widow envenomation is rare in Canada. We present the case of a previously healthy 50 year old male who presented with an acute abdomen, hypertension, and urinary retention. After a thorough work up it was determined to be as a result of a Black Widow spider bite. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2017 04 21;9(4). Epub 2017 Apr 21.

Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia.

Latrodectism or envenomation by widow-spiders is common and clinically significant worldwide. Alpha-latrotoxin is the mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that results in toxic effects observed in humans. Symptoms may be incapacitating and include severe pain that can persist for days. Read More

Toxicon 2017 May 27;130:63-72. Epub 2017 Feb 27.

Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"Black widow" spiders belong to the genus Latrodectus and are one of the few spiders in the world whose bite can cause severe envenomation in humans and domestic animals. In Argentina, these spiders are distributed throughout the country and are responsible for the highest number of bites by spiders of toxicological sanitary interest. Here, we studied the toxicity and some biochemical and immunochemical characteristics of eighteen venom samples from Latrodectus spiders from eight different provinces of Argentina, and the neutralization of some of these samples by two therapeutic antivenoms used in the country for the treatment of envenomation and by a anti-Latrodectus antivenom prepared against the venom of Latrodectus mactans from Mexico. Read More

J Egypt Soc Parasitol 2016 Apr;46(1):167-78

Spider bites are uncommon medical events, since there are limited number of spiders world-wide with fangs strong enough to pierce human skin, and most spiders bite humans only as a final defense when being crushed between skin and another object. Thus, most lesions attributed to spider bites are caused by some other etiology. The spiders that can cause medically significant bites include widow and false widow spiders (worldwide), recluse spiders (mostly North and South America), Australian funnel web spiders (eastern coastal Australia) and Phoneutria spiders (Brazil). Read More

Neurologia 2016 May 21;31(4):215-22. Epub 2015 Aug 21.

Servicio de Urgencias Pediátricas, Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico.

Introduction: Envenomation by black widow spiders manifests clinically with signs of neurotoxicity in paediatric patients.

Objective: Identify typical neurological signs and symptoms in paediatric patients of different ages, and describe treatment and outcomes in a paediatric hospital in northwest Mexico.

Material And Methods: We reviewed 70 clinical records of patients hospitalised due to black widow spider bite between 1978 and 2014. Read More

CJEM 2015 Sep 24;17(5):571-5. Epub 2015 Jul 24.

†Department of Emergency Medicine,School of Medicine,Loma Linda University,Loma Linda,CA.

Black widow spider envenomation generally results in self-limiting pain that can be treated in the emergency department (ED) with analgesics and benzodiazepines, usually with no further intervention. Occasionally, a patient has to be admitted or treated with antivenom for refractory pain or a venom-induced complication. We present the case of an 84-year-old man who presented to our ED with chest pain and dyspnea after being bitten on the foot by a western black widow spider (Lactrodectus hesperus). Read More

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2015 9;21:11. Epub 2015 May 9.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus Koch, 1841) has colonised many parts of the world from its continent of origin, Africa. By at least 1841, the species had successfully established populations in South America and has more recently expanded its range to the southern states of North America. This highly adaptable spider has been far more successful in finding its niche around the world than its famous cousins, the black widow, Latrodectus mactans, found in the south-eastern states of North America, and the red-back, Latrodectus hasselti, found mostly in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Read More

Perm J 2014 ;18(4):e155-8

Epidemiologist in the Emergency Operation Center at the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Athens, Greece.

During the summer period 2011-2012, seven widow spider bites in Greece were reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Widow spiders (in the genus Latrodectus) are found all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US. Alpha-latrotoxin (main mammalian toxin) causes the toxic effects observed in humans. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2014 Oct;30(10):723-4

From the *Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and †Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

Priapism, although uncommon in preadolescent children, is considered a true emergency. Envenomation by a black widow spider bite has been reported to induce priapism as a manifestation of its toxicity. Early recognition and timely administration of antivenin have been reported to be effective in relieving priapism. Read More

J Emerg Nurs 2014 Mar;40(2):193-4

Washington, DC. Electronic address:

Wilderness Environ Med 2014 Mar 10;25(1):80-1. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA.

Priapism in children after a black widow spider bite is a rare phenomenon with only a few case reports noted in the literature. Black widow bites are commonly associated with pain, muscle cramping, hypertension, and tachycardia. Initial treatment includes pain control with opiate or opioid medications and benzodiazepines, with antivenom reserved for severe cases of envenomation manifested by uncontrolled pain or hypertension. Read More