Utilization of dapsone and hemoglobin in the epithelial skin regeneration therapy of cutaneous loxoscelism: A case report and integrative literature review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Loxosceles spp are arthropods found worldwide. Its bite may produce cutaneous loxoscelism (necrotic or edematous) or cutaneous-visceral loxoscelism. Depending on their severity and location, cutaneous forms are managed with local cold application and systemic administration of antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, polymorphonuclear inhibitors, and analgesics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report a case of cutaneous loxoscelism and to identify the main dermatological manifestations associated with the Loxosceles spp bite. DESIGN AND SETTING: This case report and literature review was conducted in a Mexican university. METHODS: A detailed report on the medical management of a patient with cutaneous loxoscelism treated at the emergency department of a public hospital was published. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify articles reporting cutaneous loxoscelism. The following keywords were used during the database search: "loxoscelism" OR "spider bite," OR "loxosceles" OR "loxosceles species" OR "loxosceles venom" OR "loxoscelism case report" AND "cutaneous" OR "dermonecrotic arachnidism." RESULTS: A 62-year-old female patient with cutaneous loxoscelism was treated with systemic dapsone and local heparin spray. Eighteen studies with 22 clinical cases were included in this systematic review. Of the 22 patients, 12 (54.5%) were men. L. rufescens was the predominant spider species. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of dapsone and heparin for the management of cutaneous loxoscelism demonstrated success in this case, with no sequelae observed. In general, the literature review indicated favorable outcomes in patients treated with antimicrobials and corticosteroids, with continuous healing of skin lesions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID CRD42023422424 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023422424).

Tratamiento de una lesión primaria por loxoscelismo cutáneo, complicada por infección, con solución electrolizada de superoxidación con pH neutro (SES). Informe de un caso / Treatment of a Primary Lesion of Cutaneous Loxoscelismo, Complicated by Infection, with Neutral Electrolyzed Water (SES). A Case Report

Resumen Las lesiones por loxoscelismo cutáneo pueden complicarse con infecciones concomitantes debido a que el diagnóstico es presuntivo y no existe un esquema de tratamiento específico. Las soluciones electrolizadas de superoxidación de pH neutro (SES) han mostrado ser eficaces en el tratamiento de lesiones cutáneas severas por sus efectos antisépticos y de regeneración del tejido, por lo que podrían ser un método de curación para las lesiones por loxoscelismo cutáneo. Presentamos el caso de un paciente del sexo masculino, de 73 años, cardiópata, diagnosticado con loxoscelismo cutáneo en el tobillo izquierdo que recibió tratamiento convencional de antibióticos, antiinflamatorios, antihistamínicos y analgésicos, y fue dado de alta. Sin embargo, la lesión evolucionó y fue tratada de manera casera con remedios tradicionales; esta se extendió 360° y presentaba exudado fétido al momento en que decidió regresar al hospital. En la clínica de heridas se optó por manejar la lesión en primera instancia con lavados con SES y desbridamiento, seguido de lavados con SES y apósitos de gel SES 3 veces al día, por 3 días, logrando el control de la infección en este tiempo. Posteriormente, con el régimen basado en la aplicación de SES cada 48 horas, se observó la aparición del tejido de granulación al día 7, y la reepitelización en el día 45 de iniciado el abordaje con SES; el cierre total de la lesión se logró el día 67. El esquema de tratamiento basado en el uso de soluciones electrolizadas de superoxidación de pH neutro mostró ser eficaz en el control de la infección y en la inducción del proceso de regeneración del tejido que llevó al cierre de la herida sin complicaciones para el paciente.

Abstract Cutaneous loxoscelism wounds can be complicated by concomitant infections because the diagnosis is presumptive and there is no specific treatment scheme. Neutral electrolyzed water (SES) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of severe skin lesions due to their antiseptic and tissue regeneration effects and could therefore be a healing method for skin loxoscelism lesions. We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with heart disease, diagnosed with cutaneous loxoscelism in the left ankle, who received conventional treatment of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antihistaminics, and analgesics. He was discharged. However, the injury developed and was treated at home with traditional remedies. It extended 360° and presented a fetid exudate at the time he decided to return to the hospital. In the clinic it was decided to manage the lesion in the first instance with washes with SES and debridement, followed by washes with SES and SES gel dressings three times a day for 3 days, achieving control of the infection at that moment. Subsequently, with the regimen based on the application of SES every 48 hours, the appearance of granulation tissue was observed on day 7, and re-epithelialization on day 45 after starting the SES approach, the total closure of the lesion was achieved on day 67. The treatment scheme based on the use of neutral electrolyzed water proved to be effective in controlling the infection and in inducing the tissue-generation process that led to the closure of the wound without complications for the patient.

Primer registro de un caso de loxoscelismo cutáneo ocasionado por mordedura de araña violinista (Loxosceles yucatana) en Yucatán, México / First record of a case of cutaneous loxoscelism caused by violin spider (Loxosceles yucatana) bite in Yucatan, Mexico

El loxoscelismo es ocasionado cuando el veneno dermonecrótico producido por las arañas del género Loxosceles, conocidas como «arañas violinistas», ingresa al organismo de una persona a través de su mordida. En México ocurre un subregistro de los casos de loxoscelismo por la ausencia de pruebas de laboratorio para su diagnóstico y la dificultad del cuadro clínico. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir un caso de loxoscelismo cutáneo ocasionado por mordedura de Loxosceles yucatana en un residente de Yucatán, México. El loxoscelismo cutáneo es el tipo más frecuente y menos severo. El presente caso se diagnosticó por medio de la sintomatología registrada en la historia clínica, la lesión inicial y la identificación de arañas L. yucatana. Este trabajo representa la primera descripción de un caso de loxoscelismo cutáneo con resolución favorable en Yucatán.

Loxoscelism occurs when the dermonecrotic venom produced by spiders of the genus Loxosceles, known as "violin spiders," enters a person's organism through their bite. In Mexico there is an underreporting of loxoscelism cases due to the absence of laboratory tests for its diagnosis and the complexity of the clinical picture. The aim of this paper is to describe a case of cutaneous loxoscelism caused by the bite of Loxosceles yucatana in a resident of Yucatan, Mexico. Cutaneous loxoscelism is the most frequent and less severe type. This case was diagnosed by means of the symptomatology registered in the medical records, the initial lesion, and the identification of L. yucatana spiders. This study represents the first description of a case of cutaneous loxoscelism with favorable outcome in Yucatan.

Síndrome compartimental agudo como complicación de un loxoscelismo cutáneo edematoso / Acute compartment syndrome as a complication of cutaneous loxoscelism mainly edematous

Resumen El síndrome compartimental agudo (SCA) es el aumento de la presión en un espacio osteofascial cerrado. Esto reduce la presión capilar bajo el nivel necesario para la viabilidad de los tejidos del compartimento. El SCA de mano como complicación de un loxoscelismo cutáneo (LC) de predominio edematoso es muy poco frecuente. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 22 años que presentó un SCA de la mano secundario a un LC y que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico de urgencia mediante una fasciotomía dorsal y palmar.

Abstract Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is the increase of pressure in a closed osteofascial space. This reduces capillary perfusion below the level necessary for tissue viability. Injury could be irreversible if proper treatment is not performed. Hand ACS secondary to cutaneous loxoscelism with edematous predominance is extremely infrequent. We present a clinical case of a 22-year-old patient who started a hand compartment syndrome secondary to cutaneous loxoscelism (CL), requiring emergency surgical treatment with dorsal and palmar fasciotomy.

Loxoscelismo escrotal / Scrotal loxoscelism

Loxoscelismo es el cuadro clínico originado por la mordedura de araña del género Loxosceles. Es considerado un accidente que ocurre con mayor frecuencia en las noches, debido al hábito nocturno de la araña y buena adaptación a los ambientes domésticos, preferentemente en espacios oscuros y secos. Clínicamente presenta dos escenarios, cutáneo (83,3 %) y visceral o sistémico (16 %), con una variación del cuadro cutáneo denominado loxoscelismo predominantemente edematoso. El objetivo es informar un caso inusual de loxoscelismo escrotal. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante las características clínicas y epidemiológicas del accidente. En conclusión, el loxoscelismo escrotal es una entidad muy infrecuente, el manejo del paciente influye mucho en su evolución y progresión; el tratamiento exhaustivo con sulfadiazina 2 veces al día y antibióticos intravenosos, muestra resultados muy favorables.

Loxoscelism is a condition produced by the bite of spiders from the genus Loxosceles. It is considered to be an accident that occurs mostly in the night, due to the spider's nocturnal habits and good adaptation to domestic environments, preferably dark, dry spaces. It presents in two clinical scenarios: cutaneous (83.3 %) and visceral or systemic (16 %), with a variation in the cutaneous manifestation known as predominantly edematous loxoscelism. The objective of the study was to report an unusual case of scrotal loxoscelism. Diagnosis was based on the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the accident. It is concluded that scrotal loxoscelism is a very infrequent condition. Management of the patient greatly influences its evolution and progress. Exhaustive treatment with sulfadiazine twice daily and intravenous antibiotics yields very favorable results.

Loxoscelismo cutáneo: paciente con múltiples picaduras y con contraindicación para sulfas. Reporte de un caso / Cutaneous Loxoscelism: Patient with multiple bites and contraindication to sulfa drugs. Case report

RESUMEN Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente adulto joven que consultó por picaduras de araña loxosceles y sus crías, con antecedentes personales importantes de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada y alergia tipo anafilaxia severa por sulfas y AINES. El proceso presentó evolución tórpida inicial con aparición de nuevas lesiones incluso 15 días después del accidente y a pesar de haber utilizado varias alternativas farmacológicas reportadas en la literatura como útiles (colchicina, antihistamínicos, esteroides, anticoagulantes, antibióticos) no había tenido respuesta, hasta la utilización de oxigeno por cámara hiperbárica con la cual frenó la aparición de nuevas lesiones y mejoró la reepitelialización sin necesidad de intervenciones quirúrgicas, con evolución exitosa.

SUMMARY We report the case of a young adult patient who presented bites by Loxosceles spider and its hatchlings with a history of importance of such allergy anaphylaxis severe by sulfa drugs and NSAIDs, generalized anxiety disorder, who presented initial torpid with new lesions even 15 days after the accident and despite having used several pharmacological alternatives reported in the literature as useful (colchicine , antihistamines, steroids, blood thinners, antibiotics) had not been answered, to the use of oxygen for hyperbaric chamber with which brake the appearance of new and improved reepithelialization injury without surgery, with successful evolution.

Presentación de un protocolo efectivo para el tratamiento de la miodermonecrólisis por loxoscelismo cutáneo / Presentation of an eff ective protocol for the treatment of miodermonecrolisis by cutaneous loxoscelism

Las lesiones por mordedura de arácnidos del género Loxosceles producen lesiones locales y presentan pérdida de tejidos, con necrosis extensas que requieren cirugía reparadora. En algunos casos se observan lesiones sistémicas graves como hemólisis, coagulación intravascular diseminada e insufi ciencia renal aguda, que pueden desencadenar coma y muerte. Se aplicó un protocolo sistematizado basado en fasciotomías descompresivas, necrosectomías y posteriores coberturas con colgajos e injertos a pacientes que ingresaron con lesiones de aspecto necróticas con antecedente de contacto con arácnidos del género Loxosceles y clínica de miodermonecrólisis. Los casos tratados, evolucionaron favorablemente, con secuelas variables y sin comorbilidades importantes. Se presenta un modelo de protocolo actualizado, que permite efectivizar el tratamiento

The lesions for the arachnid's bite of the genus Loxosceles produce local lesions and present tissue loss whit extensive necrosis and required restorative surgery. In some cases, presents severe systemic lesions such as hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure can develop coma and death. Patients admitted with necrotic lesions with antecedent of contact with arachnids of the genus Loxosceles and clinic of miodermoncrelisis. A systematized protocol was applied based on decompressive fasciotomies, necrosectomies and posterior fl ap and graft coverage. The treated cases evolved favorably, without major comorbidities. An updated protocol model is presented, which allows eff ective treatment

Loxoscelismo cutáneo predominantemente edematoso: a propósito de un caso / Cutaneous loxoscelism mainly edematous: a case report

In Chile, loxoscelism is caused by the bite of the Loxosceles laeta spider. The clinical presentation has two different forms: cutaneous loxoscelism (CL) and vicero-cutaneous loxoscelism, which is less frequent. Cutaneous loxoscelism includes an uncommon clinical variation (4%), called CL with edematous predominance (CLEP). We present a 5-year-old patient with sudden pain and edema on his right eyelid associated with fever, which progressed rapidly involving the right hemifacial area, frontal region, and left eyelid. Angioedema and pre-orbital cellulitis were discarded and CLEP was suspect. Cutaneous loxoscelism with an edematous predominance is self-limited, benign and with little or no necrotic injury due to the edema, which dilutes the toxin-induced enzymatic process causing necrosis. As in the reported cases it usually responds well to medical treatment and does not cause visceral involvement.

El loxoscelismo en Chile es un cuadro producido por la mordedura de la araña Loxosceles laeta. Las formas de presentación son: loxoscelismo cutáneo (LC) y loxoscelismo cutáneo-visceral (LCV), el último menos frecuente. Dentro del LC existe una variante poco común (4%) conocida como loxoscelismo cutáneo predominantemente edematoso (LCPE). Nuestro caso es un paciente de 5 años que consultó por cuadro de inicio súbito de dolor y edema palpebral derecho, asociado a fiebre el cual evolucionó con rápida progresión extendiéndose en la hemicara derecha, región frontal y párpado izquierdo. Se descartó un angioedema y una celulitis periorbitaria, sospechándose un LCPE. Se manejó con hidrocortisona y clorfenamina. El LCPE es un cuadro benigno, autolimitado, en que no está presente la lesión necrótica o ésta es insignificante. Predomina el edema, el cual abortaría la necrosis al diluir el proceso enzimático producido por el veneno. Tiene buena respuesta al tratamiento médico, con ausencia de compromiso visceral.

Histopathological characterization of experimentally induced cutaneous loxoscelism in rabbits inoculated with Loxosceles similis venom

Envenomation by Loxosceles bites is characterized by dermonecrotic and/or systemic features that lead to several clinical signs and symptoms called loxoscelism. Dermonecrotic lesions are preceded by thrombosis of the dermal plexus. Recent studies show that atheromatous plaque is prone to thrombosis due to endothelial cell apoptosis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of microscopic dermal lesion and endothelial cell apoptosis induced by Loxosceles similis venom in the literature. Thus, the aim of the present study is to describe histological lesions induced by L. similis venom in rabbit skin and to elucidate whether apoptosis of endothelial cells is involved in the pathogenesis of loxoscelism. Forty male rabbits were split into two groups: the control group (intradermally injected with 50 µL of PBS) and the experimental group (intradermally injected with 0.5 µg of L. similis crude venom diluted in 50 µL of PBS). After 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours of injection, skin fragments were collected and processed for paraffin or methacrylate embedding. Sections of 5 µm thick were stained by HE, PAS or submitted to TUNEL reaction. Microscopically, severe edema, diffuse heterophilic inflammatory infiltrate, perivascular heterophilic infiltrate, thrombosis, fibrinoid necrosis of arteriolar wall and cutaneous muscle necrosis were observed. Two hours after venom injection, endothelial cells with apoptosis morphology were evidenced in the dermal plexus. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL reaction. It seems that endothelial cell apoptosis and its consequent desquamation is an important factor that induces thrombosis and culminates in dermonecrosis, which is characteristic of cutaneous loxoscelism.

Loxocelismo en niños hospitalizados, Perú, 1970- 1990 / Loxocelism in hospitalized children, Peru, 1970-1990

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas de los casos de loxocelismo en niños. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, que incluye a todos los niños hospitalizados con diagnóstico de alta de loxoscelismo en el servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia entre 1970 y 1990, y los servicios de Medicina, Cirugía y Nefrología del Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño entre 1980 y 1990, Lima-Perú. Resultados: Se incluyeron 89 casos (56.1% varones), el grupo más afectado (38.2%) tenía entre 5 y 10 años. Las regiones corporales comprometidas en orden de frecuencia fueron cabeza y el cuello (32.6%), miembros superiores (26.9%) e inferiores (23.6%), tórax y abdomen (12.4%) y genitales (4.5%). Los primeros signos y síntomas se presentaron durante las primeras 24 a 48 horas del accidente. Las complicaciones sistémicas más importantes fueron anemia hemolítica (49.4%) e insuficiencia renal aguda (37.1%). El 43.8% presentó la forma cutánea y el 56.2% la víscero-hemolítica (18.0% de letalidad para esta forma). La mortalidad fue mayor en niños menores de un año. Conclusiones: La presentación de sintomatología fluctúa entre las 24 a 48 horas siguientes a la mordedura. La forma víscero-hemolítica no fue un evento infrecuente. El único factor de riesgo aparente para mortalidad fue tener una edad menor de un año (AU)

Objective:To describe the clinical features of loxoscelism in children. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study, that included all children admitted as in-patients because of loxocelism at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia from 1970 to 1990, and at Instituto de Salud del Niño between 1980 to 1990 in Lima-Peru.The clinical files were reviewed. Results:89 were included (56.1% males).The most affected age-group (38.2%) was between 5 and 10 years old.The most frequently affected areas of the body were: head and neck (32.6%), upper extremities (26.9%), inferior extremities (23.6%) thorax and abdomen (12.4%) and genitals (4.5%).The first signs and symptoms appeared during the first 24 to 48 hours of the accident.The most important systemic complications were hemolytic anemia (49.4%) and acute renal failure (37.1%). 43.8% of patients presented the cutaneous form and 56.2% the visceral-hemolytic (18% of lethality). Mortality was greater in smaller children. Conclusions: The onset of disease fluctuates between 24 and 48 hours following the bite. The visceralhemolytic form was infrequent.The sole apparent risk factor for mortality was age less than one year old (AU)