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Case Reports
. 2006 Nov;55(5):888-90.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.04.065. Epub 2006 Sep 1.

Diagnosis of loxoscelism in a child confirmed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and noninvasive tissue sampling

William V Stoecker  1 , Jonathan A Green, Hernan F Gomez
Affiliations
Case Reports

Diagnosis of loxoscelism in a child confirmed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and noninvasive tissue sampling

William V Stoecker et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Confirmation of mild bites caused by Loxosceles reclusa with swab testing has not been previously documented, to our knowledge.

Methods: We report a case using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.

Results: A lesion lacking necrosis or other specific signs of loxoscelism was confirmed by identification of the Loxosceles venom and further confirmed by identification of a spider found in the patient's bed.

Limitations: This is a pilot single-case report for this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test.

Conclusions: A sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay designed to detect Loxosceles venom, using a specimen obtained by swabbing the lesion, can aid in diagnosis of loxoscelism.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Small painful lesion of 10-year-old girl.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Male Loxosceles reclusa, recovered by mother from girl’s bed.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Alkaline phosphatase (AP) detection sensitivity curve for venom detection, with venom standards shown as squares and amount detected for case as diamond.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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