ENVENOMATION BY LOXOSCELES-RECLUSA

Envenomation by the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, may result in a dermonecrosis which can be accompanied by systemic manifestations, including hemolytic anemia. Experimental results have indicated that the local and systemic complications in vertebrates induced by L. reclusa envenomation are probably manifestations of both venom mass action and immunopathological phenomena. The complexity of the venom-victim interactions makes loxoscelism a medical problem that will require considerable experimentation to resolve.