Resumen

SANABRIA, Hernán y ZAVALETA, Alfonso. Panorama epidemiológico del loxoscelismo en el Perú.. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica, jul./dic 1997, vol.14, no.2, p.33-41. ISSN 1726-4634.

We describe significant epidemiological features of loxoscellsm in Peru. House spiders L. Laeta and L. rufipes are the principal causes of this accidental envenomation. Highest number of spider bites are recorded in the cities along the Peruvian coast. Cases are more often observed in summer time, at home, at nigth and early morning. Sometimes this envenomation has no symptoms at the time of biting. 476 hospital cases reported from 1943 to date are presented. Clinical course causes necrotic scars in skin in about 74% and, sistemic symptoms in about 26%. Envenomation in adults have affected the kidneys to a lesser degree than people below 13 years old, running this with letality. Author's recommmendations for prevention and control of this spider envenomation are given and it is postulated that epidemiological research shoud be updated to acknowledge causes of necrothic arachnidism other than Loxosceles spp. in Perú.

Palabras llave: Spider bite; loxosceles; epidemiology; Perú.