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PART ONE
Not part of original Jellyfish Sting Newsletter No. 24.
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1. Professor Lopat in Israel has worked with a company to release a sunscreen containing jellyfish nematocyst repellent in Israel. The product "Safe Seas" is one of a large number of compounds that have been designed for this purpose. So far none have been efficacious and this substance has only been tested on limited numbers of people. Its action is based on the fact that nematocysts do not fire through certain mucous substances. None of the literature concerning its effectiveness is available and we would have to know whether the promoters demonstrated that its pain prevention or relief is independent of the placebo and counter irritation possibilities. An earlier newsletter showed a method by which substances may be evaluated as effective nematocyst inhibition and it's not an easy protocol to complete. (Contact Dermatitis 1/99; vol. 40: 56-57.)
2. Mr. John Higgins, III working in Monty Graham's laboratory in Dauphin Island, AL. had a significant reaction to Drymonema, which lasted for several days. He had some post inflammatory hyperpigmentation but the main complaint was a severe local eruption.
3. Dr. Shin-ichi Uye organized a meeting entitled Environmental Changes in Marine Costal Waters and Jellyfish Blooms which was held on Oct. 29,2000 in Japan. Several Japanese societies sponsored the meeting. Dr. Uye can be reached by e-mail at suye@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
4. Dr. Michael N. Dawson of UCLA reports that some Mastigias medusae are venomous to man.
5. Dr. Angel Yanagahira of Honolulu has a paper which is soon to be published showing a very unique nematocyst firing structure for Physalia.
6. Jo Sadler from Mornington, Tasmania wrote there has been an increase in Aurelia and Cyanea jellyfish there this year. Local salmonid farms suffered fish loses due to these animals.
7. An article from the New York Times (Jan. 23, 2001) mentions that a unique species of jellyfish in the Aurelia family was discovered living only in an isolated seawater lake on the Adriatic island of Mljet. Its closest relative can be found near the Philippines, also in an island lake.
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THE IRUKANDJI SYNDROME: A DEVASTATING SYNDROME CAUSED BY A NORTH AUSTRALIAN JELLYFISH.
AN UPDATED REVIEW WITH SYMPTOMS INCLUDING CARDIAC FAILURE
Dr Peter Fenner MD (Lond), DRCOG, FACTM, FRCGP
General Practitioner
Honorary Medical Officer, Surf Life Saving Australia
PO Box 3080, NORTH MACKAY, Qld 4740
Dr Ian Carney BSc, MBBS (Hons), FRACP
Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland
Staff Physician, Mackay Base Hospital Qld 4740
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Abstract
The "Irukandji syndrome" is a group of delayed (10-40 mins, mean 30 mins) severe systemic symptoms occurring after an initial mild skin sting by small carybdeid (box) jellyfish including Carukia barnesi, known colloquially as the "Irukandji". Although the syndrome is well-known in tropical Australia waters, the 1998-99 season in north Queensland was notable for the number of victims with severe toxic heart failure who needed admission to intensive care facilities for more complex investigations and treatment than usual. There have also been other severe and unusual symptoms reported this year, which leads to the conclusion that there may be more than one species of jellyfish causing the Irukandji syndrome, or a seasonal variation in the symptoms and/or severity of symptoms caused by Carukia. To date there have been no reported deaths from Irukandji envenomation but there have been a number of patients that were probably only saved by high quality intensive care treatment.
This article describes the updated current state of information on the ecology of jellyfish causing the Irukandji syndrome, introduces the new symptoms, and discusses some treatment regimes that may be effective, as well as problems associated with inappropriate treatment. Research into the cause and treatment of this potentially devastating syndrome is hampered by lack of funding, although there are large costs to the taxpayers for retrieval and medical treatment of victims. These costs are analysed and presented.
(Continued on page 4)
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ACTM Bulletin © Copyright 2001, is published by:
The Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
P O Box 146, Castletown, Townsville, Qld 4812 Ph: (07) 47 722322 Fx: (07) 47 225788
Email: actm@ozemail.com.au WWW: http://www.tropmed.org
Editor: A/Prof Peter Leggat, Associate Editor: A/Prof Rick Speare, Assistant Editor/Typesetting: Mrs Cindy McCutchan
ISSN: 1328-0570
Printed by: NadicPrint, Townsville, Qld, Australia
Disclaimer: Information and articles appearing in this newsletter are published in good faith and every effort is made to check accuracy. Readers should verify facts and statements direct with official sources before acting upon them, as neither the Editor nor the executive members of the A.C.T.M. Inc., can accept any responsibility in this respect. Articles appearing in this Newsletter are not necessarily representing the views of the A.C.T.M.
Advertising rates: Available on application.
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Supplement 1 to ACTM Bulletin Vol 10 No.1 - MARCH 2001
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