Detection of Mediterranean Black Widow Spider, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790) for the First Time in Jordan by DNA Barcoding and a Case of Envenomation Treated with Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae)

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 29 - 34, 06.04.2023

Ehab Eid Hussein Alnasarat Said Damhoureyeh Sergio Henriques

https://doi.org/10.26650/tjbc.1188900

Abstract

Objective: The Mediterranean black widow spider; Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790) could reasonably be regarded by many health practitioners as living solely in Southern Europe. However, its range extends well beyond the Mediterranean, into central Asia, and reaches parts of China. In this article, we detected this species in Jordan for the first time and confirmed the diagnosis by DNA barcoding. This is also the first clinically significant envenomation case in Jordan. Materials and Methods: The spider was identified using DNA analysis which was extracted using a Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit following the standard protocol. PCR reactions were conducted in 20 μL volumes using 1 μL of DNA template, a final concentration of 0.5 μM of each primer. Cycling conditions consisted of an initial activation at 95°C for 15 min, then 35 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 30 s, annealing at 45°C for 30 s and elongation at 72°C for 1 min with a final elongation at 72°C for 10. Successful PCR reactions were cleaned using Clean NA Clean PCR magnetic beads (GC Biotech) using the standard PCR cleanup protocol. Bi-directional sequencing was conducted at Genewiz UK. Results: The species was identified using morphological and molecular data. The clinical process was evaluated including the symptoms, medical treatment, and the use of Ferula assa-foetida as self-medicated traditional medicine. Discussion: The first record of this spider is very important for the contribution of the biodiversity of Jordan. In addition, due to its medical importance, the envenomation case and its treatment with Freula are important for local practitioners. Such medically important animals and related cases need to be documented for public health. It is necessary to recognize the existence of venomous spiders in Jordan, and to study their patterns of bites. We also propose a set of recommendations for communities and local hospitals including the necessity of hospitalization and antivenin administration for patients exhibiting serious symptoms. Conclusion: It is important to document envenomation accidents, symptoms, and treatment protocol. Furthermore, traditional medicine practices should be reported as they can interfere with or even hinder medical treatment. The results of this article will certainly apply to a wider range of countries in the region.

Keywords

Envenomation, Ethnopharmacology, Jordan, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, Spider Bite DNA Barcoding

References

• Amalraj, A., Pius, A., Gopi, S., & Gopi S. (2017). Biological activities of curcuminoids, other biomolecules from turmeric and their derivatives - a review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7: 205-233. http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.05.005. google scholar
• Bhattacharjee, S. K. (2004). Medicinal Herbs and Flowers. 1st ed. India: Avishkar publication. Pg no. 142. google scholar
• Bildik, F., Çomruk, B., Yüksek, B., Aslaner, M. A. & Türkeş, T. (2021). Mediterranean black widow spider (Latrodectus Tredecimguttatus) poisoning in a metropolitan city in Turkey. Journal of Emergency Medicine Case Reports, 12(2): 48-51. google scholar
• Di Paola, G., Cirronis, M., Scaravaggi, G., Castorani, L., Petrolini, V. M. & Locatelli, C. A. (2020). Latrodectism in Italy: First report of successful treatment of L. tredecimguttatus envenomation using L. mactans antivenom from North America. Toxicon: Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology, 179: 107-10. google scholar
• Eigner, D. & Scholz, D. (1999). Ferula asafoetida and Curcuma longa in traditional medical treatment and diet in Nepal. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 67: 1-6. google scholar
• El-Hennawy, H. K. (2006). A list of Egyptian spiders (revised in 2006). Serket, 10(2): 65-76. google scholar
• Folmer, O., Black, M., Hoeh, W., Lutz, R. & Vrijenhoek, R. (1994). DNA primers for amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from diverse metazoan invertebrates. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology, 3(5): 294-9. google scholar
• Garb, J. E., & Hayashi, C. Y. (2013). Molecular evolution of a-latrotoxin, the exceptionally potent vertebrate neurotoxin in black widow spider venom. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 30(5): 999-1014. google scholar
• González Valverde, F.M., Gómez Ramos, M.J., Menarguez Pina, F. & Vázquez Rojas, J.L. (2001). Fatal latrodectism in an elderly man, [Article in Spanish]. Medicina Clínica (Barc), 117(8): 319. Hoxha, R. (2006). Two Albanians die from black widow spider bites BMJ. 333:278. google scholar
• Iranshahy, M. & Iranshahi, M. (2011). Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin)-a review. Journal ofEthnopharmacology, 134(1): 1-10. google scholar
• Javaid, R., Aslam, M., Javaid, R., Nizami, Q., Javed, K. & Azhar, M. (2012). Extract of Ferula foetida Regel reverses gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. EXCLI Journal, 11(1): 760-766. google scholar Kobernick, M. (1984). Black widow spider bite. Am Fam Physician, 29: 241-245. google scholar
• Lev, E. & Amar, Z. (2002). Ethnopharmacological survey of traditional drugs sold in the Kingdom of Jordan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 82: 131-145. google scholar
• Mahendra, P. & Bisht, S. (2012). Ferula asafoetida: Traditional uses and pharmacological activity. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 6(12): 141-6. google scholar
• Mohammadhosseini, M. (2016). A comprehensive review on new methods for processing, separation and identification of the essential oils. Islamic Azad University of Shahrood Press, Shahrood, Iran. google scholar
• Mohammadhosseini, M., Venditti, A., Sarker, S.D., Nahar, L. & Akbarzadeh, A. (2019). The genus Ferula: Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and bioactivities - A review. Industrial Crops and Products, 129: 350-394. google scholar
• Nicholson, G.M. & Graudins, A. (2002). Spiders of medical importance in the Asia-Pacific: atracotoxin, latrotoxin and related spider neurotoxins. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 29: 785-794. google scholar
• Pneumatikos, I.A., Galiatsou, E., Goe, D., Kitsakos, A., Nakos, G. & Vougiouklakis, T.G. (2003). Acute fatal toxic myocarditis after black widow spider envenomation. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 41(1): 158. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1067/ mem.2003.32. google scholar
• Rochlin, I., Hockett, W. & Francis, A. (2021). A case of pediatric northern black widow spider (Latrodectus variolus) bite in New York, USA. Toxicon, 194: 86-89. google scholar
• Shakhatreh, M., Amr, Z. & Abu Baker, M. (2021). Spiders of Jordan: a preliminary study. Turkish Journal of Bioscience and Collections, 5: 2601-4292. google scholar
• Sutherland, S.K. & Duncan, A.W. (1980). New first-aid measures for envenomation: with special reference to bites by the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus). Med. J. Aust., 1(8): 378379. google scholar Sutherland, S.K. (1983). Australian Animal Toxins. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. google scholar
• Vutchev, D. (2001). A case of intoxication after a bite by Latrodectus tredecimguttatus. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases, 33: 313-314. google scholar
• Watson, W.A., Litovitz, T.L. & Klein-Schwartz, W. (2003). Annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (5) :335-404. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.ajem.2004.06.001. google scholar
• White, J. (1987). Review of clinical and pathological aspects of spider bite in Australia. In: Gopalakrishnakone P, Tan CK (eds.) Progress in venom and toxin research. Singapore: University of Singapore, p.531-541. google scholar