Bita Dadpour
1* 
, Alireza Ghodsi
2 , Helia Farham
1 1 Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Background: Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, generally known as black widow spider (BWS), bite can
cause a variety of symptoms including muscular spasm, back pain, abdominal pain, severe sweating, and
shivering. The bite brings weakness too; however, quadriplegia has not been mentioned in the literature.
Case Presentation: Here, we present a 42-year-old male case with BWS bite who developed muscle
weakness and paralysis in the four limbs. The patient needed mechanical ventilation. Nerve conduction
velocity reported myopathy in the patient. The patient could eventually walk after 45 days of supportive
treatment.
Conclusion: It can be hypothesized that quadriplegia may happen due to the vast acetylcholine depletion.
Keywords: Black widow spider, Envenomation, Quadriplegia