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Special Communications: Ivar L. Frithsen, Richard S. Vetter, and Ian C. Stocks Reports of Envenomation by Brown Recluse Spiders Exceed Verified Specimens of Loxosceles Spiders in South Carolina J Am Board Fam Med 2007; 20: 483-488 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Similar findings in Mobile, Alabama

George L Kirkpatrick   (8 January 2008)

Similar findings in Mobile, Alabama 8 January 2008
George L Kirkpatrick, E.R. Physician Mobile Infirmary Medical Center Send response to journal: Re: Similar findings in Mobile, Alabama gkirkpat{at}bellsouth.net George L Kirkpatrick	I read with great interest your report on over-reporting brown recluse spider envenomations in South Carolina. During my residency in Indiana in the 1970's I witnessed an unfortunate case of severe progressive necrosis from one brown recluse bite to the forearm that ended with amputation. In my 20 years practice in South Alabama I have actually seen one true brown recluse bite that healed without complication, and I have seen 2 brown recluse spiders in the wild. In comparison, I have seen more than 50 black widow spiders in the wild. But, in an average year in the E.R. I probably see 1 or 2 pseudo-brown recluse "bites" per week. As you surmise, most are actually MRSA infections, or bee stings, or thorn pricks. Convincing the patient or family that it is not a "spider bite" is frequently very difficult. There seems to be a strong "myth" or "mystique" surrounding the "ownership" of such a spider bite. Most of these folks seem disappointed to learn it is not a brown recluse bite.