Standards of Anderson for Accurate Case Reporting of North American Loxoscelism (Brown Recluse Spider Bites)

Description

Loxosceles reclusa (brown recluse spider) is a poisonous spider with a variable distribution within North America, Anderson recommended standards for reporting cases of brown recluse spider bites taking into account the characteristics of the envenomation and the prevelance of the spider in a region.

NOTE: These criteria could be applied to any envenomation.

Brown Recluse Spider	Regional Distribution for Brown Recluse Spiders	Cutaneous Lesion	Status
recovered immediately and in close proximity; confirmed by entomologist	brown recluse spider well-known in region	lesion typical to an experienced physician	proven
present in immediate vicinity; confirmed by entomologist	brown recluse spider well-known in region	lesion typical to an experienced physician	probable
none recovered in immediate vicinity, or not confirmed by an entomologist	have been found in region; probable or proven bites have occurred	lesion typical to an experienced physician	possible
none recovered in immediate vicinity	none or few; recent cases uncommon or unknown	may not be typical	focal skin necrosis (uncertain)

where:

• A brown recluse spider can be transported to a nonendemic region.

• Other spiders and insects can cause skin lesions that might be confused with a brown recluse spider bite.

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Standards of Anderson for Accurate Case Reporting of North American Loxoscelism (Brown Recluse Spider Bites)

Description

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