DAPSONE OR ELECTRIC-SHOCK THERAPY OF BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER ENVENOMATION

Study objectives: We tested the null hypothesis that no outcome differ ences exist among the treatment groups of animals with brown recluse s pider envenomations. Study design: A prospective, placebo-controlled, experimental trial. Hartley guinea pigs were randomized into the follo wing treatment groups: dapsone, Parali/azer(R) stun gun, Guardian(R) s tun gun, and control. Interventions: Brown recluse spider skin lesions were induced with intradermal injections of 30 mug spider venom and w ere treated beginning 16 hours after inoculation. Shock regimens consi sted of four cross shocks of 1-second duration on anesthetized animals . Oral dapsone treatment was 0.7 mg/kg twice daily for 3 days. Lesion areas were measured daily for 3 days. Results: The dapsone therapy gro up demonstrated significantly less induration and necrosis (P<.05) tha n that shown by the other three groups 72 hours after envenomation. Co nclusion: Dapsone therapy is more effective than either electric shock or no therapy for brown recluse spider envenomation in the guinea pig model.