Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents

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  Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents Abstract The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates urgent discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Scorpion venom, a complex cocktail of bioactive molecules, has emerged as a promising reservoir of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with potent activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. This review comprehensively examines the structural and functional diversity of scorpion-derived AMPs and their therapeutic potential. Scorpion venom AMPs exhibit remarkable structural heterogeneity. Their physicochemical properties, characterized by cationic charge, amphipathicity, and α-helical or β-sheet conformations, underpin their antimicrobial efficacy. These peptides demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity encompassing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Mechanistically, scorpion AMPs employ multifaceted strategies including membrane disruption through pore format...

Holistic Therapy in a Patient with Necrotic Ulcer Caused by the Bite of Brazilian Wandering Spider: A Case Report of Challenging Treatment with Combined Therapies

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By Rodrigo Tetsuo Argenton - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87147373

Holistic Therapy in a Patient with Necrotic Ulcer Caused by the Bite of Brazilian Wandering Spider: A Case Report of Challenging Treatment with Combined Therapies

Abstract

Hard-to-heal wounds remain a significant challenge for healthcare professionals, particularly in aging populations. Although most chronic wounds are associated with diabetes or chronic venous insufficiency, rare etiologies should also be considered. One such cause is envenomation by Phoneutria spp. (native to South America, rare in Europe). Their venom contains potent neurotoxins. While systemic manifestations are more commonly reported, localized necrotic skin lesions may also occur. This case report presents a rare chronic wound following a suspected Phoneutria spider bite and highlights the importance of an individualized, multimodal treatment approach. A 61-year-old male patient with a progressive thigh wound following a spider bite sustained during work. Despite initial self-treatment and pharmacotherapy the wound deteriorated. The patient was admitted to the authors’ facility, where surgical treatment included necrosectomy and a sandwich graft using an acellular dermal matrix combined with a split-thickness skin graft. Adjunctive therapies included negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After discharge, outpatient wound care was continued. Treatment was monitored with photographic documentation and serial microperfusion measurements. Complete wound closure was achieved after 4 months of specialized therapy. Management of chronic wounds requires a multidisciplinary and individualized approach with surgical intervention, advanced wound care and specialized outpatient follow-up.

Szatan, M., Słaboń, A., Łach, J., Wielgórecki, A., & Łabuś, W. (2026). Holistic Therapy in a Patient with Necrotic Ulcer Caused by the Bite of Brazilian Wandering Spider: A Case Report of Challenging Treatment with Combined Therapies. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(2), 693. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020693