Sea anemone envenomation
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Background [1]
- Located worldwide in deep and coastal waters
- A type of Nematocyst
- Often attached to coral or rock
- Appearance consists of a single polyp with a cylindrical body
- Their mouths are surrounded by cnidocyte-containing tentacles
- Cnidocytes are cells containing one giant secretory organelle called a cnidocyst that can deliver a sting to other organisms
Venom Mechanism [2]
- Anemone venom contains multiple enzymes including:
- Cytolytic/hemolytic toxins
- Neurotoxins
- Cardiotoxins
- Protease inhibitors
Nematocyst Mechanism
- 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 [3]
- Erythema
- Pruritis
- Blisters
- Skin changes can become permanent in the form of hyper/hypopigmentation and keloid formation
- Fever
- Chills
- Myalgias
- Syncope
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
Management [4]
- Pain is managed with vinegar
- Supportive care
Disposition
- If the patient is hemodynamically stable and pain controlled, patient can be discharged home.
See Also
References
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.