[ad_1]
Noble false widow spiders, increasingly found in Ireland, often carry harmful bacteria resistant to common antibiotic treatments, according to NUI Galway scientists.
Transmission of the infection to unintentional victims occurs when their fangs are embedded in human skin.
This team of zoologists and microbiologists confirmed a theory debated among spiders and health specialists for many years, and explains a variety of symptoms experienced by victims bitten by the invasive noble false widow spider in Ireland and Britain over the past decade. Symptoms include severe pain at the site of the sting, stiffness of the limbs, redness, and swelling.
The noble false widow was first seen in Ireland in 1998 and has since multiplied. It is found in 22 counties on the island, but is more concentrated along the east coast.
Australian black widows or funnel-web spiders are well known for their potentially deadly venom, but the rare “skin-eating” conditions after seemingly harmless European and North American spider bites were thought to be the result of secondary infections caused by scratching and catching the victim. site of the bite with contaminated fingers.
This study published in Scientific Reports shows that “not only do spiders carry harmful bacteria, but those germs can be transmitted when a spider uses its fangs to bite.” This route of infection has also been found in other common spiders, including the giant house spider.
Ironically, many spiders have been shown to have venom with antibacterial activity and it is often debated whether the venom would neutralize bacteria at the bite site, but this study also shows, at least for the noble false widow, that the venom does not. . inhibit bacteria.
‘Some redness and pain’
Zoologist Dr. John Dunbar of the Ryan Institute’s Poison System Laboratory said: “About 10 species of spiders common in northwestern Europe have fangs strong enough to pierce human skin and release venom, but only one of them, the recent invasive noble false widow spider, is considered of medical importance. Most of the time, a spider bite causes some redness and pain. “
“In some cases, however, victims appear to develop long-term infections that require strong antibiotic treatment and sometimes hospitalization,” he added.
The massive increase in populations of false widow spiders in urbanized areas has coincided with an increase in bites, with some victims with severe symptoms from their venom, “but also infections, which in some cases were even difficult to treat with antibiotics.” confirmed Dr. Michel Dugon, who also works in the laboratory.
The most frequent biting circumstances occur when people sleep or get dressed in the morning when a spider becomes entangled in clothing, he added. The species, which originated in the Canary Islands, is believed to have first entered Ireland via exotic fruits or plants destined for garden centers.
PhD student Neyaz Kahn, co-lead author, said: “The biggest threat is that some of these bacteria are resistant to multiple drugs, making them particularly difficult to treat with common medications. This is something that health professionals should consider from now on ”.
Dr. Aoife Boyd, director of NUIG’s pathogens group, who also contributed to the research, said: “The diversity of microbes never ceases to amaze me. The power to survive and thrive in all environments is demonstrated here by the presence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria even in spider venom. “
Antimicrobial resistance was an urgent and growing problem around the world, he noted. “A ‘one health’ approach that interconnects human, animal and environmental health is the only way to tackle the problem,” he believed.
[ad_2]