Australian immigrant of the arachnid variety?

Abstract

Spider bites are an uncommon presenting complaint to Irish emergency services. We describe the case report of a patient diagnosed with a spider bite, thought due to an Australian (White-Tailed) spider unintentionally imported in a traveller's luggage. Her lesions were consistent with those caused by White-Tailed Spiders, and her clinical course and management is described. We subsequently present a review of the literature regarding spider bites. The most recent comprehensive catalogue of Irish arachnids, published by van Helsdingen, included 397 species. At least nine of these are exotic species, thought to have immigrated via importations, and in some cases surviving in hot-house environments. Although Irish native spiders are not generally noxious and cause only minor effects, immigrants may potentially cause harm. White-Tailed (Lamponidae) and Redback (Lacrodectus) spiders are common Australian species, and the clinical features experienced by victims of their bites are described. The identification and management of spider bites continue to be a source of heated debate and controversy. The ascription of various clinical effects to particular spiders is problematic because of poor case definition and a lack of confirmed scientific evidence. However, spider bite enquiries are now the single most common reason for calls to Australian poisons centres. The diagnosis and treatment of spider bites is discussed with reference to the use of antibiotics, steroids and antivenoms, as featured in the recent literature.