A study of the necrotic actions of the venom of the wolf spider, Lycosa godeffroyi, on mouse skin

1. The venom of the wolf spider, Lycosa godeffroyi, caused cutaneous necrosis when injected into mice. 2. A strong inflammatory response and total loss of epidermal cellularity were features of this in vivo necrosis. 3. Mouse skin envenomated while in tissue culture showed epidermal detachment and reduced cellular adhesion. 4. Triprolidine and methysergide, used together, indomethacin, heparin and human and mouse sera all failed to inhibit the necrosis significantly. 5. The venom caused moderate haemolysis, complement consumption and inhibition of clotting, these apparently not being the main reasons for the necrosis. 6. Neither Atrax infensus venom nor hyaluronidase caused similar epithelial damage.