Wolf spider bites in São Paulo, Brazil: a clinical and epidemiological study of 515 cases.

Data obtained from 515 victims of bites of wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) who were attended in Vital Brazil Hospital, São Paulo City, Brazil, in a 5-year period (1979-1983) were analysed. Bites were more frequent in males (56%). All age groups were involved. Foot and hand were the preferential sites of bite (79%), and pain, generally mild, was the predominant symptom (83%). No local necrosis, a severe complication described in the previous literature, was detected, suggesting that those old cases were due to misdiagnosed Loxosceles spider bites. Specific antivenom was employed in only three cases which is evidence that physicians do not consider wolf spider bites to be severe.