Suspected Brown Recluse Spider Envenomation: Missed Diagnosis and Delayed Treatment of Loxoscelism

A Case Report

Abstract

Case: 

We report the case of a previously healthy 51-year-old man who presented to our hospital after worsening clinical appearance of his left ring finger, despite antibiotics and previous surgical drainage for suspected abscess at an outside institution 3 weeks ago. He was admitted to our hospital for surgical debridement and decompression. After suspicion of cutaneous loxoscelism based on the clinical record and corticosteroid administration, the patient presented a favorable evolution.

Conclusion: 

Cutaneous loxoscelism caused by a spider bite is present in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean area, and should be considered in cases of skin infections which do not respond to antibiotics.