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. 2009 Fall;22(4):216-22.

Duration of Loxosceles reclusa venom detection by ELISA from swabs

David L McGlasson  1 , Jonathon A Green, William V Stoecker, James L Babcock, David A Calcara
Affiliations

Duration of Loxosceles reclusa venom detection by ELISA from swabs

David L McGlasson et al. Clin Lab Sci. 2009 Fall.

Abstract

Background: Diagnosis of Loxosceles reclusa envenomations is currently based upon clinical presentation. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can detect surface Loxosceles venom at the envenomation site, allowing diagnostic confirmation. The length of time that venom on the skin is recoverable non-invasively is unknown.

Materials and methods: To investigate duration of recoverable venom antigen, whole venom and fractionated sphingomyelinase D venom aliquots were injected subcutaneously in New Zealand White rabbits. Cotton and Dacron swabs were compared for venom recovery over a 21-day period using a surface swab technique.

Results: Significant amounts of Loxosceles reclusa antigen were found on the surface of rabbit skin after experimental injection of whole venom and sphingomyelinase D. The duration of recoverable antigen using this experimental model appears to be at least two weeks and as long as 21 days in some cases.

Conclusions: Because the duration of the recoverable antigen is seen to be at least two weeks, the ELISA venom test appears capable of detecting venom on most patients presenting with Loxosceles envenomations. This detection system will allow the physician more accurate determination of whether the lesion is from a brown recluse spider or some other agent that can cause this type of necrotic ulcer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
24 hours post envenomation with brown recluse spider venom in rabbit model.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Venom recovery using Dacron swabs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Venom recovery using cotton swabs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparisons of recoverable antigen with sphingomyelinase D vs saline injections.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparisons of recoverable antigen with venom vs saline injections.
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