Cutaneous-hemolytic loxoscelism following brown recluse spider envenomation: new understandings

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Brown recluse spider (BRS) (<i>Loxosceles reclusa</i>) envenomation can cause local dermonecrotic lesions, constitutional symptoms, and potentially fatal hemolysis (i.e., cutaneous-hemolytic loxoscelism). As the incidence of hemolysis is low and the spider habitat is limited, little is known regarding the clinical course of cutaneous-hemolytic loxoscelism.<b>Methods:</b> We performed a retrospective observational study of patients following BRS envenomation over an eight-year period. Demographics, clinical course, laboratories, and interventions were assessed. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Pearson chi-square tests were used in the univariate analyses. Logistic regression assessed the independent contribution of symptoms in a multivariate analysis.<b>Results:</b> Of the 97 patients, 40.2% (<i>n</i> = 39) developed hemolysis; the majority (66.7%) were 18 years old or younger. Univariate analysis revealed that constitutional symptoms were associated with hemolysis, but multivariate analysis showed only myalgia (aOR: 7.1; 95% CI: 2.2-22.7; <i>p</i> < .001) and malaise (aOR: 12.76; 95% CI: 1.4-119.9; <i>p</i> = .026) were independently associated with hemolysis. The median time to hemolysis onset was 1.0 days (IQR: 1.0-2.5) and all occurred within a week of envenomation. Hemolysis durations were longer in patients DAT positive for IGG antibodies (7.5 vs. 4.0 days; <i>p</i> = .042). Most (76.9%) of hemolyzing patients received blood. In patients with cutaneous-hemolytic loxoscelism, hematuria occurred in 32.4%, rhabdomyolysis occurred in 60.9%, and elevated transaminases with normal hepatic synthetic function occurred in 29.4% but all of these patients developed rhabdomyolysis. Hemolysis was both intravascular and extravascular. Complications (hyperkalemia, INR ≥2.0, metabolic acidosis requiring bicarbonate, hypotension requiring vasopressors, and hypoxia requiring intubation) occurred only in patients with profound hemolytic anemia (hemoglobin <4 g/dL); one patient died.<b>Conclusions:</b> Constitutional symptoms occur in both cutaneous and cutaneous-hemolytic loxoscelism, although they occur more frequently in patients who develop hemolysis. Children may be at a higher risk of hemolysis after envenomation. Renal involvement (as evidenced by hematuria) and rhabdomyolysis may occur more frequently than has been previously reported. Hemolysis was both intravascular and extravascular.