ABSTRACT
Humankind has always been fascinated by venomous animals, as their toxic substances have transformed them into symbols of power and mystery. Over the centuries, researchers have been trying to understand animal venoms, unveiling intricate mixtures of molecules and their biological effects. Among venomous animals, Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 (widow spiders) have become feared in many cultures worldwide due to their extremely neurotoxic venom. The Latrodectus genus encompasses 32 species broadly spread around the globe, 14 of which occur in the Americas. Despite the high number of species found in the New World, the knowledge on these spiders is still scarce. This review covers the general knowledge on Latrodectus spp. from the Americas. We address widow spiders' taxonomy; geographical distribution and epidemiology; symptoms and treatments of envenomation (latrodectism); venom collection, experimental studies, proteome and transcriptome; and biotechnological studies on these Latrodectus spp. Moreover, we discuss the main challenges and limitations faced by researchers when trying to comprehend this neglected group of medically important spiders. We expect this review to help overcome the lack of information regarding widow spiders in the New World.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Spider Venoms/toxicity , Spiders , Black Widow Spider , Nerve AgentsABSTRACT
Abstract Humankind has always been fascinated by venomous animals, as their toxic substances have transformed them into symbols of power and mystery. Over the centuries, researchers have been trying to understand animal venoms, unveiling intricate mixtures of molecules and their biological effects. Among venomous animals, Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 (widow spiders) have become feared in many cultures worldwide due to their extremely neurotoxic venom. The Latrodectus genus encompasses 32 species broadly spread around the globe, 14 of which occur in the Americas. Despite the high number of species found in the New World, the knowledge on these spiders is still scarce. This review covers the general knowledge on Latrodectus spp. from the Americas. We address widow spiders taxonomy; geographical distribution and epidemiology; symptoms and treatments of envenomation (latrodectism); venom collection, experimental studies, proteome and transcriptome; and biotechnological studies on these Latrodectus spp. Moreover, we discuss the main challenges and limitations faced by researchers when trying to comprehend this neglected group of medically important spiders. We expect this review to help overcome the lack of information regarding widow spiders in the New World.
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to highlight and analyze discrepancies in reporting of deaths due to venomous animals in Brazil, from 2001 to 2015, between two national information systems: The Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN) and the Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade - SIM). Methods: Descriptive and comparative study of the SINAN and SIM information systems, was conducted via the following steps: collecting the death notices from SINAN and SIM; constructing tables and comparative graphics; and, only in scorpion sting fatalities, analyzing the distribution of deaths by age group as described in the specialized literature. Results: While SINAN identifies strong growth in the number of deaths from scorpion stings, SIM shows greater increase in the number of reported deaths from bee stings, especially in the South and Southeast regions. Notably, bees are the sole etiological agent that received more reports in SIM than in SINAN for every year in the period studied. The age-group distribution of the data on deaths from scorpion stings reinforced the indication of problems occurring in their registration in SINAN, especially since 2007, which may have an effect on analyses based on these data. Conclusion: Comparative analysis of these databases permits identification of important differences between profiles presented by these systems, which have equal relevance for Brazil as a whole and for its regions. These differences may influence the construction of various scenarios.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Scorpions , Bees , Bites and Stings , Information Systems , Scorpion Stings , Animals, Poisonous , Death Certificates , ElapidaeABSTRACT
Accidents caused by spiders of the genus Loxosceles constitute an important public health problem in Brazil. The venom of Loxosceles sp induces dermonecrosis at the bite site and systemic disease in severe cases. Traditional medicine based on plant-derived products has been proven to reduce the local effects of envenomation. The present study verified the healing effects of copaiba oil on lesions induced by the venom of L. intermedia. Methods: Cutaneous lesions were induced on the backs of rabbits by intradermal injection of L. intermedia venom. Copaiba oil was applied topically 6 hours after injection; the treatment was repeated for 30 days, after which animal skins were removed and processed for histopathological analysis. Blood samples were also collected before and 24 hours after venom inoculation to measure the hematological parameters. Results: Compared to the control group, the platelet count was reduced significantly in all groups inoculated with venom, accompanied by a decreased number of heterophils in the blood. The minimum necrotic dose (MND) was defined as 2.4 μg/kg. Topical treatment with copaiba oil demonstrated a differentiated healing profile: large skin lesions were observed 10 days after venom inoculation, whereas formation of a thick crust, without scarring was observed 30 days after venom inoculation. Histopathological analysis showed no significant difference after treatment. Nevertheless, the copaiba oil treatment induced a collagen distribution similar to control skin, in marked contrast to the group that received only the spider venom injection. Conclusions: We conclude that copaiba oil may interfere in the healing process and thus propose it as a possible topical treatment for cutaneous lesions induced by L. intermedia venom.(AU)
Subject(s)
Spider Venoms , Spiders , Fabaceae/adverse effects , Poisoning , Bites and StingsABSTRACT
Objetivo: apresentar a biologia e distribuição da fauna de animais peçonhentos de interesse médico existentes no município do Rio de Janeiro, assim como formas de prevenção e de tratamento dos possíveis acidentes Método: estudo exploratório e quantitativo, em dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, analisando os acidentes entre os anos de 2007 a 2015 compreendidos nesse município. Resultados: no Rio de Janeiro os acidentes ofídicos são os que apresentam maior número de notificações, principalmente com as serpentes do gênero Bothrops, seguido pelo acidentes por aranhas. A maioria das notificações dos acidentes por aranhas não há identificação do gênero causador do acidente, em virtude da dificil identificação por parte das equipes de saúde. Conclusão: em função da grande biodiversidade de fauna de animais peçonhentos e da distribuição frequentemente alterada pela ação do homem no meio ambiente, os perfis de acidentes variam regionalmente no país. Desta forma, estudos epidemiológicos regionais são de extrema importância no desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de saúde.
Objective: to present the biology and distribution of the fauna of venomous animals of medical interest existing in the city of Rio de Janeiro, as well as ways of prevention and treatment of possible accidents. Method: an exploratory and quantitative study, in data of the Information System of Notifiable Diseases, analyzing the accidents between the years of 2007 to 2015 comprised in this municipality. Results: in Rio de Janeiro, snake accidents are the ones with the highest number of notifications, mainly with the snakes of the genus Bothrops, followed by accidents by spiders. Most reports of spider accidents do not identify the gender of the accident due to the difficult identification of the health teams. Conclusion: due to the great biodiversity of venomous animal fauna and the distribution frequently altered by the action of man in the environment, the accident profiles vary regionally in the country. In this way, regional epidemiological studies are extremely important in the development of public health policies.
Objetivo: la presentación de la biología y la distribución de la fauna animales venenosos interés médico en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, así como las formas de prevención y tratamiento de posibles accidentes existentes. Método: estudio exploratorio y cuantitativo, en sistema de información de las enfermedades de declaración obligatoria, con análisis de los accidentes entre los años 2007 a 2015 incluidos en este municipio. Resultados: en Río de Janeiro, las mordeduras de serpiente son los que tienen mayor número de notificaciones, especialmente con serpientes Bothrops, seguido de los accidentes causados por las arañas. La mayoría de los informes de accidentes por arañas sin identificación de la causa del accidente de género, debido a la difícil identificación por parte de los equipos de salud. Conclusión: debido a la gran biodiversidad de animales venenosos de la fauna y la distribución de frecuencia se ven alteradas por la acción humana sobre el medio ambiente, los perfiles de accidentes varían regionalmente en el país. Por lo tanto, los estudios epidemiológicos regionales son muy importantes en el desarrollo de políticas de salud pública.