Loxosceles spider bites in the state of Paraná, Brazil: 1993-2000

This study presents the epidemiological analysis of 20,699 reported spider bites involving the Loxosceles genus in the state of Paraná, Brazil, from 1993 to 2000. The incidence rate in the period was 290.24/100,000 inhabitants. The results show that 95.04% of the accidents occurred in two Health Reg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
Main Authors: E. Marques-da-Silva, R. Souza-Santos, M. L. Fischer, G. B. G. Rubio
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SciELO 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992006000100009
https://doaj.org/article/804c2a5e445a4d3e8090b4e3534d6c58
Description
Summary:This study presents the epidemiological analysis of 20,699 reported spider bites involving the Loxosceles genus in the state of Paraná, Brazil, from 1993 to 2000. The incidence rate in the period was 290.24/100,000 inhabitants. The results show that 95.04% of the accidents occurred in two Health Regions of the state: greater metropolitan Curitiba (92.9%) and Irati (2.14%). The major incidence was recorded in greater metropolitan Curitiba (559.1/100,000). Loxosceles bites were more frequent in females (61%) than in males. Antivenin therapy was not necessary in 95.4% (19,662) of the cases. From the cases in which information about the time elapsed between the bite and medical treatment was recorded (9,679), 31.8% received treatment from 6 to 48 hours after the bite. Among the cases with severity rate recorded (12,096), 2.1% were severe, 50.4% moderate, and 47.4% mild. Seven deaths from Loxosceles bites were recorded, corresponding to a fatality rate of 0.03%.