Description of Two Circumstances of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania

Fewer than 0.5% of spider species are medically important, with the genus Loxosceles chargeable for most dermonecrotic envenomings.1,2 Within the Mediterranean, Loxosceles rufescens is the first species related to loxoscelism.2 This synanthropic spider thrives in human dwellings, sometimes biting solely when inadvertently provoked.1,3,4 Its venom, containing sphingomyelinase D, triggers native irritation and necrosis,1,5 and rarer the acute localized exanthematous pustulosis.6 Prognosis is usually challenged by preliminary painlessness, resulting in frequent misidentification as bacterial infections.2,4,5 These instances in Albania spotlight the necessity for improved scientific recognition of regional spider-bite occurrences.7