Lyme disease masquerading as brown recluse spider bite

Ann Emerg Med. 2002 May;39(5):558-61. doi: 10.1067/mem.2002.119509.

Abstract

We report a case of Lyme disease with clinical features resembling those described from brown recluse spider bites. The most striking manifestation was a necrotic skin wound. Brown recluse spider bites may be overdiagnosed in some geographic regions. Tick bite and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotic arachnidism in regions endemic for Lyme disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Borrelia burgdorferi*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis*
  • Lyme Disease / pathology
  • Male
  • Necrosis
  • Skin / pathology
  • Spider Bites / diagnosis*
  • Spider Bites / pathology
  • Spiders*