New Black Widow Antivenom Could be More Viable Than Existing Spider Bite Antidotes [Study]

Spider bites are some of the most frightening moments that a person, especially those with arachnophobia, could experience. The 'eight-legged freaks' can cause various adverse health effects for their suspecting victims, including humans.

According to arachnid experts and health authorities, some of the possible symptoms of a spider bite include severe pain, itching or rashing, difficulty breathing, headaches, and nausea.

However, bites from venomous spiders such as black widow spiders can be fatal. This means that spider bite symptoms, ranging from minor to severe, caused by the arachnid's powerful toxin can lead to death. Although deaths from spider bites are rare, they still do occur. Even if not all spider species are venomous, a small number of them have been reported to be dangerous, including the European black widow spider.

Due to the threat posed by web-weaving animals, scientists in previous decades have researched potential treatments from venomous spider bites. According to a study as of June 2024, researchers developed a new black widow antivenom, which could be more viable than existing spider bite antidotes. The antivenom contains human antibodies which could be more effective on spider bites.

Spider Bites

While spider attacks on humans may seem scary, they rarely occur since the insect-hunting arachnids do not normally seek us unless they feel threatened. According to Mayo Clinic, spider bites are typically harmless but they can still penetrate the human skin and a potentially strong venom can hurt humans. Among the spider groups that can threaten us are widow spiders and recluse spiders.

Spiders can be found in all of Earth's continents except for Antarctica. Still, wounds and mortalities linked with spider bites still differ per country. Globally, experts have estimated that less than three people die from spider bites per year. In the United States, 20,000 of its spider species are poisonous but their bites only cause minor health impacts, according to the Boston Children's Hospital.

Black Widow Antivenom

The severity of spider bites depends on various factors, including the species of the arachnid involved. With this in consideration, experts in the past have developed antidotes against venomous spider bites; these spider antivenoms have long been considered a necessity after a patient is bitten by an arachnid. Recently, a breakthrough study revealed a new antivenom against European black widow spider bites.

The research paper, published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology on Wednesday, June 12, unravels the invention of a new black widow antivenom. This potential spider venom cure contains human antibodies, as mentioned earlier, that neutralize the deadly toxin called "alpha-latrotoxin" from the European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus).

While there is already a general antivenom for black widow bites, the new spider antivenom shown in the June 2024 study led by researchers in Germany is not yet in circulation and available to the general public. However, this potentially 'more effective' spider venom treatment could be further developed through future research.