Octopus bite

Background

• Blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena) is commonly cited venomous octopus
  • Venom contains tetrodotoxin, which inhibits voltage-gated Na⁺ channels --> paralysis
  • Potentially lethal
  • Becomes bright yellow with blue rings when provoked

Blue ringed octopus

Clinical Features

• Local erythema
• Paresthesias
• Flaccid paralysis
• Respiratory failure

Differential Diagnosis

Marine toxins and envenomations

• Toxins
  • Ciguatera
  • Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
  • Paralytic shellfish poisoning
  • Scombroid
  • Tetrodotoxin (e.g. pufferfish)
• Stingers
  • Stingray injury
• Venomous fish (catfish, zebrafish, scorpion fish, stonefish)
  • Cone shells
  • Lionfish
  • Sea urchins
• Nematocysts
  • Coral reef
  • Fire coral
  • Jellyfish (Cnidaria)
    • Box jellyfish
    • Sea wasp
  • Portuguese man-of-war
  • Sea anemones
• Phylum porifera (sponges)
• Bites
  • Alligator and crocodile attacks
  • Octopus bite
  • Shark bite

Evaluation

• Clinical diagnosis

Management

• Supportive treatment only; no antivenom exists

See Also

• Marine toxins and envenomations