02241nas a2200277   4500008004100000020001400041245018200055210006900237260000900306300001200315490000700327520127700334653001701611653002701628653001501655653002001670653001801690653003401708653006801742653000801810100003301818700002101851700002501872700002501897856004101922       2011                        eng d  a0022-258500aMisdiagnosis of Spider Bites: Bacterial Associates, Mechanical Pathogen Transfer, and Hemolytic Potential of Venom from the Hobo Spider, Tegenaria agrestis (Araneae: Agelenidae)0 aMisdiagnosis of Spider Bites Bacterial Associates Mechanical Pat  c2011  a382-3880 v483 aThe European spider Tegenaria agrestis (Walckenaer) (hobo spider) has been implicated as a spider of medical importance in the Pacific Northwest since its introduction in the late 1980s. Studies have indicated that the hobo spider causes necrotic tissue lesions through hemolytic venom or through the transfer of pathogenic bacteria introduced by its bite. Bacterial infections are often diagnosed as spider bites, in particular the pathogenic bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study examines three aspects of the potential medical importance of hobo spiders in part of its introduced range, Washington State. First, the bacterial diversity of the spider was surveyed using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to determine whether the spider carries any pathogenic bacteria. Second, an experiment was conducted to determine the ability of the spiders to transfer MRSA. Third, the venom was evaluated to assess the hemolytic activity. We found 10 genera of ubiquitous bacteria on the exterior surface of the spiders. In addition, none of the spiders exposed to MRSA transferred this pathogen. Finally, the hemolytic venom assay corroborates previous studies that found hobo spider venom was not deleterious to vertebrate red blood cells.10aAssociations10aBacterial associates].10aLand zones10aNearctic region10aNorth America10aTegenaria agrestis (Araneae).10aTegenaria agrestis [Associations / Bacteria / ] [Washington / /10aUSA1 aGaver-Wainwright, Melissa, M1 aZack, Richard, S1 aForadori, Matthew, J1 aLavine, Laura Corley  u<Go to ISI>://ZOOREC:ZOOR14801004034