Nematocysts: Difference between revisions
 
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<gallery mode="packed">
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Avispa marina cropped.png|[[Box jellyfish]]
File:Avispa marina cropped.png|[[Box jellyfish]]
File:Lithothamnion sp..jpg|Coral reef
File:Lithothamnion sp..jpg|[[Coral reef]]
File:Portuguese Man-O-War (Physalia physalis).jpg|Portuguese Man-O-War {Physalia physalis)
File:Portuguese Man-O-War (Physalia physalis).jpg|[[Portuguese Man-O-War]] {Physalia physalis)
File:Actiniaria.jpg|A selection of various sea anemones
File:Actiniaria.jpg|A selection of various [[sea anemones]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


 
{{Nematocyst mechanism}}
===Mechanism===
[[File:Nematocyst discharge.png|thumb|Nematocyst stages of discharge]]
*Physical contact or osmotic gradient  causes discharge of nematocysts
*A spring loaded venom delivery system
*Once opened, a nematocyst releases all of its contained venom


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
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**[[cardiac arrest|Death]]
**[[cardiac arrest|Death]]


==[[Irukandji syndrome]]==<ref> Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.</ref>
===[[Irukandji syndrome]]<ref> Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.</ref>===
*Usually develops within 2 hours of envenomation & can last up to 2 days
*Usually develops within 2 hours of envenomation & can last up to 2 days
*Rare but potentially fatal complication can manifest in diverse ways:
*Rare but potentially fatal complication. It often involves intense pain, diffuse muscle cramps, vasconstriction and marked hypertension due to a catacholamine surge.
**Myalgias
**Beware of [[hypertensive emergency]]: Look for signs of end organ damage (ie ACS, CHF, intracranial hemorrhage, renal injury)
**Back pain
**Chest pain
**Abdominal pain
**Nausea and vomiting
**Diaphoresis
**Hypertensive crisis
**Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
**Intracranial hemorrhage
**Death


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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*Remove tentacles and nematocysts
*Remove tentacles and nematocysts
*Hot salt water immersion (inactivates heat labile toxins), submerging the area in 45 ℃ water for 20 minutes has been shown to provide significant pain relief<ref>#Isbister GK, Currie BJ. Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2017 Oct 16;207(8):362. PubMed PMID: 29020913.</ref>
*Hot salt water immersion (inactivates heat labile toxins), submerging the area in 45 ℃ water for 20 minutes has been shown to provide significant pain relief<ref>#Isbister GK, Currie BJ. Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2017 Oct 16;207(8):362. PubMed PMID: 29020913.</ref>
*Stingose is a topical solution composed of 20% aluminum sulfate and 1.1% surfactant.
**Used for pain control, venom removal via osmosis, & venom neutralization via denaturation of proteins and polysaccharides through interactions with the aluminum ion.<ref>Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., &amp; Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.</ref>
*Consider topical [[lidocaine]]
*Consider topical [[lidocaine]]
*Consider oral or parenteral [[analgesia]] for severe pain
*Consider oral or parenteral [[analgesia]] for severe pain
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**Some evidence that it does inhibit nematocyst discharge in the Australian Box Jellyfish species <ref>Yanagihara AA, Wilcox CL. Cubozoan Sting-Site Seawater Rinse, Scraping, and Ice Can Increase Venom Load: Upending Current First Aid Recommendations. Toxins (Basel). 2017;9(3):105. Published 2017 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/toxins9030105</ref>
**Some evidence that it does inhibit nematocyst discharge in the Australian Box Jellyfish species <ref>Yanagihara AA, Wilcox CL. Cubozoan Sting-Site Seawater Rinse, Scraping, and Ice Can Increase Venom Load: Upending Current First Aid Recommendations. Toxins (Basel). 2017;9(3):105. Published 2017 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/toxins9030105</ref>
***Box Jellyfish: 4-5% acetic acid solution should be applied to the injured area for at least 30 seconds.<ref>Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., &amp; Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/. </ref>
***Box Jellyfish: 4-5% acetic acid solution should be applied to the injured area for at least 30 seconds.<ref>Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., &amp; Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/. </ref>
*'''Symptomatic treatment for Irukandji syndrome'''
*Symptomatic treatment for [[Irukandji syndrome]]
*'''Antivenom is available for severe [[box jellyfish]] sting'''
**Consider [[fentanyl]] for pain and antihypertensives such as magnesium sulfate and nitroglycerin
*Antivenom is only readily available in Australia for severe [[box jellyfish]] sting


===Avoid===
===Avoid===

Latest revision as of 06:51, 27 November 2021

Background

  • Jellyfish; box jellyfish is most deadly
  • Most toxic: Australia and other Indo-Pacific waters

Nematocyst Mechanism

Nematocyst stages of discharge
  • Physical contact or osmotic gradient causes discharge of nematocysts
  • A spring loaded venom delivery system
  • Once opened, a nematocyst releases all of its contained venom

Clinical Features

Skin lesion after contact with the cubomedusa Chiropsalmus quadrumanus jellyfish

Irukandji syndrome[1]

  • Usually develops within 2 hours of envenomation & can last up to 2 days
  • Rare but potentially fatal complication. It often involves intense pain, diffuse muscle cramps, vasconstriction and marked hypertension due to a catacholamine surge.
    • Beware of hypertensive emergency: Look for signs of end organ damage (ie ACS, CHF, intracranial hemorrhage, renal injury)

Differential Diagnosis

Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites

Evaluation

  • Generally a clinical diagnosis

Management

  • Remove tentacles and nematocysts
  • Hot salt water immersion (inactivates heat labile toxins), submerging the area in 45 ℃ water for 20 minutes has been shown to provide significant pain relief[2]
  • Stingose is a topical solution composed of 20% aluminum sulfate and 1.1% surfactant.
    • Used for pain control, venom removal via osmosis, & venom neutralization via denaturation of proteins and polysaccharides through interactions with the aluminum ion.[3]
  • Consider topical lidocaine
  • Consider oral or parenteral analgesia for severe pain
  • In general, avoid acetic acid (vinegar) since it mostly increases the firing of nematocysts and therefore increases pain.[4]
    • Some evidence that it does inhibit nematocyst discharge in the Australian Box Jellyfish species [5]
      • Box Jellyfish: 4-5% acetic acid solution should be applied to the injured area for at least 30 seconds.[6]
  • Symptomatic treatment for Irukandji syndrome
    • Consider fentanyl for pain and antihypertensives such as magnesium sulfate and nitroglycerin
  • Antivenom is only readily available in Australia for severe box jellyfish sting

Avoid

  • Urine, ethanol, ammonia,
  • Acetic acid/vinegar (unless box jellyfish) [7]
  • Fresh or tap water (causes nematocyst discharge via the osmotic gradient)

Disposition

See Also

References

  1. Ward NT, Darracq MA, Tomaszewski C, et al. Evidence based treatment of jellyfish stings in North America and Hawaii. Ann Emerg Med. 2012;60(4):339-414.
  2. Cegolon L, Heymann WC, Lange JH, et al. Jellyfish stings and their management: a review. Mar Drugs. 2013;11(2): 523-50
  1. ↑ Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.
  2. ↑ #Isbister GK, Currie BJ. Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2017 Oct 16;207(8):362. PubMed PMID: 29020913.
  3. ↑ Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.
  4. ↑ Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.
  5. ↑ Yanagihara AA, Wilcox CL. Cubozoan Sting-Site Seawater Rinse, Scraping, and Ice Can Increase Venom Load: Upending Current First Aid Recommendations. Toxins (Basel). 2017;9(3):105. Published 2017 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/toxins9030105
  6. ↑ Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.
  7. ↑ Hauglid, C., Kiel, J., & Schmidt, A. (2021, April 23). Emergen-Sea Medicine: Overview of Marine Envenomations - Page 4 of 5. ACEP Now. https://www.acepnow.com/article/emergen-sea-medicine-overview-of-marine-envenomations/4/.
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