Scientists look into death linked to spider

The death of a 20-year-old Palmerston North woman who was bitten by a white-tailed spider weeks before she died is being investigated by Wellington forensic scientists.

Charlotte Appleton, a Massey University extramural student, died suddenly in Palmerston North Hospital's intensive care unit on February 21.

About a month before she died, she told friends she had been bitten on the stomach by a white-tailed spider.

Theodora Matsis said Miss Appleton had told her she had an internal abscess the "size of a golf ball", which a doctor had treated her for.

"It's shocking. I got a call from her and she said her immune system was AWOL," Theodora Matsis said.

"She was fine a week before her death."

Charlotte Appleton had worked at her cafe job until the week before she died, but took some days off sick, owner Mark Jorgensen said.

MidCentral Health spokesman Scott Crowley said no comment would be made on Charlotte Appleton's death until results of the autopsy were known.

The Palmerston North coroner's office was waiting for the results and toxicology reports from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research before deciding whether an inquest was needed.

Palmerston North Hospital infectious disease specialist Richard Everts said a death from a white-tailed spider bite was rare.

He was not aware of any fatal white-tailed spider bites, but said death was possible if the bite became infected.

"It would be extremely rare - it's like dying from shaving.

"There could be a very unusual sequence of events, but it wouldn't be the bite itself [that was fatal]."

Dr Everts said he had heard of the bites leading to finger amputations and rotten skin needing to be cut out, but had not seen any cases as serious as that in the past four years.

"Ninety per cent of the people referred to me because of 'white-tailed spider bites' do not recall seeing the spider, so I am not convinced there ever was one."

White-tailed spiders

Where are they from?

Australian immigrants now firmly established in NZ.

What do they look like?

Cylindrical body from 1 to 2cm long, dirty grey to brown colour, light coloured grey or white spot at the "tail".

How bad is their bite?

Pain and swelling can occur at bite site. Small ulcerous wound can develop and some victims report flu-like symptoms. Medical advice should be sought in severe cases.