Severe intravascular haemolysis due to Brown Recluse Spider bite: a life threatening but treatable condition

A 44-year-old male gardener presented with fever, vomiting andnecrotic sloughing skin following a sting by an insect while removing dead leaves from palm trees. On day 3 of his hospital stay he developed jaundice and severe Coomb's-positive haemolytic anaemia. He continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment with intravenous fluids replacement, blood transfusion and antibiotics. He eventually made an excellent recovery with high dose intravenous steroids

Ibn'Sina rounds

We continue these excerpts from the case records of Dr Abubakr, current resident to that august, testy and infinitely wise consultant physician, Dr Ibn'Sina. The Ibn'Sina Rounds are presentations of actual clinical situations with a moral and teaching value