Box jellyfish envenomation

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Background

  • cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their cube-shaped medusae
  • "Chironex fleckeri" cause of most deaths
  • largely restricted to the Indo-Pacific Ocean/Australian waters but various species can be found widely
  • most stings are benign (local rx only), only a few species have been implicated in human deaths

Mechanism

  • specific venom components unclear
  • thought to affect sodium/potassium/calcium channels
  • Chironex fleckeri venom causes cell membranes to become porous allowing K+ influx/hyperkalemia

Clinical Features

  • stings associated with immediate pain, lasting up to 8 hours, and linear welts in a cross-hatched pattern
    • may progress to blisters/necrosis
  • 25-30% may still have tentacles attached
  • systemic envenomation (usually >10% BSA) can manifest as cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory dysfunction, death
    • usually manifests within 5 minutes of sting
  • delayed hypersensitivity reactions occur in >50%
    • itching, redness at sting sites 7-14d after initial incidence

Differential Diagnosis

Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites

Evaluation

  • Generally a clinical diagnosis

Management

  • pain control
  • pour liberal amounts of vinegar and remove any tentacles
    • tentacles separated from medusae can still emit venom
  • supportive measures for minor envenomations (ice recommended but heat may actually work better)
  • antihistamines/steroids for hypersensitivity reaction
  • do NOT pressure bandage
  • antivenom for life-threatening envenomations
    • ovine IgG Fab with 20,000 units/ampule

Antivenom Indications

  • cardiac arrest
    • undiluted antivenom administered as an IV Push - up to 6 vials
    • if no response then give magnesium IV
  • hypotension, tachycardia, shock, arrhythmia
    • dilute 3 amps antivenom in 100mL NS and run over 20 minutes
    • can repeat for a total of 6 vials
  • intractable pain
    • give 1 amp diluted in 100mL NS run over 20 minutes
  • anti-venom can cause serum sickness 4-14days after administration

See Also

References

  1. Bastian Bentlage, Paulyn Cartwright, Angel A. Yanagihara, Cheryl Lewis, Gemma S. Richards and Allen G. Collins.Evolution of box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa), a group of highly toxic invertebrates. Proceedings of the Royal Society, November 18, 2009 DOI:10.1098/rspb.2009.1707
  2. Currie BJ, Jacups SP. Prospective study of Chironex fleckeri and other box jellyfish stings in the “Top End” of Australia’s Northern Territory. Med J Aust 2005; 183: 631-636
  3. Hughes RJ, Angus JA, Winkel KD, Wright CE. A pharmacological investigation of the venom extract of the Australian box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, in cardiac and vascular tissues. Toxicol Lett. 2012 Feb 25;209(1):11-20. Epub 2011 Dec 2.
  4. http://www.toxinology.com/generic_static_files/cslavh_antivenom_boxjelly.html