Necrotic skin lesion in a dog attributed to Loxosceles (brown spider) bite: a case report

Envenomations caused by Loxosceles (brown spider) have been reported throughout the world. Clinical signs associated to bites of these spiders involve dermonecrotic lesions and intense local inflammatory response, besides systemic manifestations such as intravascular hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. The present study aimed to report and to describe dermonecrotic lesions probably caused by a Loxosceles envenomation in a four year-old poodle female dog, treated at the Dermatology Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. Initially, the animal presented two skin lesions with blackish aspect that evolved into ulcerative crusts. The owner reported the presence of a brown spider near the place where the animal spent most of the time. Histological examination of lesions revealed necrosis of the epidermis extending to adnexa and panniculi, which is compatible with Loxosceles bite reaction. The animal was treated with systemic antibiotic and local curatives. Lesions healed by second intention in two months.(AU)

[Clinical aspects (especially nephropathologic) and genetic counseling in tuberous sclerosis. Presentation of a case with polycystic kidney]. / Aspetti clinici (in particolare nefropatologici) e consiglio genetico nella sclerosi tuberosa. Presentazione di un caso esordito come rene policistico.

Tuberous sclerosis (TS) represents a relatively frequent inherited disorder of the skin and neurological tissues. Defects of other organs may also be present, but subjects differ significantly in their individual involvement. Usually, white leaf - shaped macules, even though most subtle, are the first precocious sign of the disease in young patients. Other signs tend to appear when the patient grows older. Visceral disorders include renal angiomyolipomata; clinical behavior of these solid tumors is almost always benign. Sometimes the renal lesions present themselves as polycystic kidneys, and may be the earliest sign and the only manifestation of TS, such as the case here described. This unusual form of renal involvement may be a severe potential complication of TS for the possible blood hypertension, recurrent urinary sepsis and chronic renal failure. It is of the utmost importance to search for the classical stigmata of TS in any patient who has cystic renal enlargement as only apparent abnormality. Careful inquiry into the family history cannot be overemphasized. The authors believe that, failing availability of adequate therapy for TS, the role in genetic counseling is to provide as much informations as possible to enable the involved family to make an intelligent decision about future children.