Partial characterization of Loxosceles anomala (Mello-Leitão, 1917) venom: A brown spider of potential medical concern

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) Vol. 228; p. 107107
• Main Authors: Peres-Damásio, Pamella, Silva-Magalhães, Rafaela, Silva-Araújo, Ana Luiza, Pereira, Elaine Henriques Teixeira, Silveira, Adriano Lima, Varella, Luana Silveira da Rocha Nowicki, Borges, Márcia Helena, Chavez-Olórtegui, Carlos, Paiva, Ana Luiza Bittencourt, Guerra-Duarte, Clara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Animals; Antivenins; antivenom; Brazil; brown spider; Humans; Loxosceles; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases - toxicity; Spider Venoms; Spiders; Venom; Brazil; Loxosceles; brown spider; Venom; antivenom
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107107

The spider's genus Loxosceles (also known as “brown spiders”) is one of the few ones of medical importance in Brazil, being Loxosceles anomala a species of common occurrence in the Southeast region. This species is usually smaller in size than the other members of the Loxosceles group. A single human accident involving L. anomala was reported to date and the clinical picture shared similar characteristics with accidents caused by other Loxosceles species. Despite the potential relevance of L. anomalafor loxocelism in Minas Gerais state, its venom activity has never been characterized. In this work, we provide a preliminary characterization of L. anomala venom, considering its most relevant enzymatic activities and its venom immunorecognition by current therapeutic antivenoms. The results showed that L. anomala venom is immunorecognised by therapeutic antivenoms and by anti-phospholipase D antibodies. Its venom also shows enzymatic activities (sphingomyelinase activity, fibrinogenolytic) described for other Loxosceles venoms. This work contributes to a better knowledge on the venom content and activities of synanthropic Loxosceles species that have the potential of causing relevant human accidents.
[Display omitted]
•Loxosceles anomala is a synanthropic spider original from Minas Gerais State, Brazil.•L. anomala venom is recognized by anti-loxoscelic, anti-arachnidic and anti-phospholipase-D antibodies.•L. anomala venom presented sphingomyelinase-D and fibrinogenolytic activities.•Due to its life habits and venom activities, L. anomala spiders can potentially cause significant human accidents.