O'Reilly GM; Isbister GK; Lawrie PM; Treston GT; Currie, Bart

Author(s)

O'Reilly GM

Isbister GK

Lawrie PM

Treston GT

Currie, Bart

Publication Date

2001-12-01

Abstract

To determine the immediate and delayed effects of jellyfish stings, and correlate these with microscopic identification of jellyfish nematocysts. Prospective study of patients presenting with jellyfish stings. 40 people presenting with jellyfish stings to the emergency department of a teaching hospital in tropical Australia between 1 August 1999 and 31 July 2000. Clinical diagnosis (sting by Chironex fleckeri, "Darwin carybdeid" or other jellyfish, or "Irukandji" syndrome); clinical severity; delayed hypersensitivity; and sticky-tape sampling and microscopic identification of nematocysts. Patients were aged 2-50 years, with eight aged under 15 years; 23 were male. Presentations were consistent with C. fleckeri sting in 28 cases, Darwin carybdeid sting in five, and Irukandji syndrome in four. Sticky-tape sampling was done in 39 patients and was positive for C. fleckeri nematocysts in 23 and for non-C. fleckeri nematocysts in six, with nematocysts not detected in 10 (including all four with Irukandji syndrome). All microscopically confirmed C. fleckeri stings had typical clinical presentations. None of the stings were life-threatening, and no antivenom was given. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions were seen in 11 of the 19 patients (58%) followed up after stings positive for C. fleckeri nematocysts. Although most jellyfish stings presenting to Royal Darwin Hospital I were caused by C. fleckeri, severe envenomation was rare. There was a strong association between clinical features and sticky-tape identification of nematocysts. Delayed hypersensitivity was common after C. fleckeri stings.

Affiliation

Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT..

Citation

Med J Aust . 2001 Dec;175(11-12):652-5. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143765.x.

ISSN

0025-729X

Pubmed ID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11837877/?otool=iaurydwlib

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6815

MESH subject

Adolescent

Adult

Animals

Bites and Stings

Child

Child, Preschool

Cnidarian Venoms

Female

Humans

Infant

Male

Middle Aged

Northern Territory

Prospective Studies

Scyphozoa

Seasons

Title

Prospective study of jellyfish stings from tropical Australia, including the major box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri.

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	O'Reilly GM Isbister GK Lawrie PM Treston GT Currie, Bart
Publication Date	2001-12-01
Abstract	To determine the immediate and delayed effects of jellyfish stings, and correlate these with microscopic identification of jellyfish nematocysts. Prospective study of patients presenting with jellyfish stings. 40 people presenting with jellyfish stings to the emergency department of a teaching hospital in tropical Australia between 1 August 1999 and 31 July 2000. Clinical diagnosis (sting by Chironex fleckeri, "Darwin carybdeid" or other jellyfish, or "Irukandji" syndrome); clinical severity; delayed hypersensitivity; and sticky-tape sampling and microscopic identification of nematocysts. Patients were aged 2-50 years, with eight aged under 15 years; 23 were male. Presentations were consistent with C. fleckeri sting in 28 cases, Darwin carybdeid sting in five, and Irukandji syndrome in four. Sticky-tape sampling was done in 39 patients and was positive for C. fleckeri nematocysts in 23 and for non-C. fleckeri nematocysts in six, with nematocysts not detected in 10 (including all four with Irukandji syndrome). All microscopically confirmed C. fleckeri stings had typical clinical presentations. None of the stings were life-threatening, and no antivenom was given. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions were seen in 11 of the 19 patients (58%) followed up after stings positive for C. fleckeri nematocysts. Although most jellyfish stings presenting to Royal Darwin Hospital I were caused by C. fleckeri, severe envenomation was rare. There was a strong association between clinical features and sticky-tape identification of nematocysts. Delayed hypersensitivity was common after C. fleckeri stings.
Affiliation	Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT..
Citation	Med J Aust . 2001 Dec;175(11-12):652-5. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143765.x.
ISSN	0025-729X
Pubmed ID	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11837877/?otool=iaurydwlib
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6815
MESH subject	Adolescent Adult Animals Bites and Stings Child Child, Preschool Cnidarian Venoms Female Humans Infant Male Middle Aged Northern Territory Prospective Studies Scyphozoa Seasons
Title	Prospective study of jellyfish stings from tropical Australia, including the major box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri.
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Prospective study of jellyfish stings from tropical Australia, including the major box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri.

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