Nematocysts: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 14:47, 22 March 2016
Mechanism
- Jellyfish; Box Jelly is most deadly
- Most toxic: Australia and other Indo-Pacific waters
- Physical contact or osmotic gradient causes discharge of neamtocysts
- A spring loaded venom delivery system
Clinical Presentation
- Isolated stinging
- Severe
- Respiratory paralysis, cardiovascular collapse, and death
Differential Diagnosis
Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites
- Toxins
- Ciguatera
- Scombroid
- Tetrodotoxin (e.g. pufferfish)
- Shellfish poisoning
- Amnesic shellfish poisoning
- Diarrheal shellfish poisoning
- Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning
- Stingers
- Venomous fish
- Cone shell
- Lionfish
- Sea urchins
- Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
- Stonefish
- Other: Catfish, zebrafish, scorpion fish
- Nematocysts
- Coral reef
- Fire coral
- Jellyfish (Cnidaria)
- Portuguese man-of-war
- Sea anemones
- Seabather's eruption
- Phylum porifera (sponges)
- Bites
- Infections
Treatment
- Immerse in 5% acetic acid to inactivate nematocysts
- Alternatives
- Immersion in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl 40%)
- Acidic drinks such as flavored sodas and fruit juices may be helpful
- Baking soda
- Avoid fresh or tap water since it causes nematocyst discharge via the osmotic gradient
- Antivenom is available for severe box-jellyfish sting