Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
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Case Reports
A case of pediatric northern black widow spider (Latrodectus variolus) bite in New York, USA.
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) are generally perceived as inhabiting southern or western United States. However, some species, such as the northern black widow, Latrodectus variolus, are also found in more temperate regions of USA and adjacent Canada. ⋯ Medical practitioners often fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of latrodectism delaying effective treatment. Even in more northern locales, healthcare workers should take black widow spider envenomation under consideration in the differential diagnosis particularly with suspected exposure.