Blue-ringed octopus (<i>Hapalochlaena sp</i>.) envenomation of a 4-year-old boy: A case report

Cavazzoni, Elena; Lister, Bruce; Sargent, Phillip; Schibler, Andreas

doi:10.1080/15563650701601790

Cited by 28 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…A patient that presents with symptoms of respiratory failure should be placed on mechanical ventilation and should receive supportive care (77). Supporting this, a case report of a 4-year-old envenomated by this octopus had a satisfactory outcome with no long-term consequences after prompt intubation and appropriate supportive therapy (78). The affected limb should be elevated and direct pressure should be applied at the site of the attack so the toxin does not spread via the bloodstream, and eventually lymphatic circulation (79,80).…”

Section: Blue-ringed Octopus Envenomation Treatment Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Encounters with Venomous Sea-Life

Fernandez

Valladolid

Varon

et al. 2011

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

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Section: Blue-ringed Octopus Envenomation Treatment Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Encounters with Venomous Sea-Life

Fernandez

Valladolid

Varon

et al. 2011

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

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“…Most species of octopuses cause only mild reactions, such as swelling or redness. 11 However, bites by the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) 8 have been known to lead to severe systemic or even fatal reactions. 7,9,11,12 Its saliva contains a neuromuscular toxin that can be released through its powerful beak 13 and can produce respiratory arrest within minutes.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other symptoms are vomiting, muscle weakness, speech difficulties, visual disturbances, hypotension, and bradycardia. 8,14 The only animal known to survive the effects of this toxin is the octopus itself, but not every bite results in intoxication. 15 In 2002, Taylor et al 5 reported on injuries caused by marine animals in Australia.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Cutaneous Ulceration From Octopus vulgaris Bite

Aigner

Ollert²,

Seifert³

et al. 2011

Arch Dermatol

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Background: Octopus vulgaris is a common marine animal that can be found in nearly all tropical and semitropical waters around the world. It is a peaceful sea dweller with a parrotlike beak, and its primary defense is to hide through camouflaging adjustments. Bites from animals of the class Cephalopoda are very rare. We describe a boy who was bitten on his forearm by an Octopus vulgaris. Observation: A 9-year-old boy was bitten by an Octopus vulgaris while snorkeling. There was no strong bleeding or systemic symptoms; however, 2 days later, a cherrysized, black, ulcerous lesion developed, surrounded by a red circle that did not heal over months and therefore had to be excised. Histologic examination showed ulceration with extensive necrosis of the dermis and the epidermis. A microbial smear revealed Pseudomonas (formerly known as Flavimonas) oryzihabitans. After excision, the wound healed within 2 weeks, without any complications or signs of infection. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first report of an Octopus vulgaris bite resulting in an ulcerative lesion with slow wound healing owing to P oryzihabitans infection. We recommend greater vigilance regarding bacterial contamination when treating skin lesions caused by marine animals.

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“…Moreover, human fatalities occurred by the toxins of the blue ringed octopus, Oxycanus maculosus and Hapalochlaena sp. which contain a powerful neurotoxin that caused respiratory arrest and total paralysis (Bonnet, 1999;Cavazzoni et al, 2008). Experimentally, the PSG extract of Octopus aegina showed anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo cancer models (Karthigayan et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Comparative histopathological and histochemical impacts induced by the posterior salivary gland and ink sac extracts of Octopus vulgaris in mice

Moustafa

Awaad

2016

The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology

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Octopus vulgaris is of great importance for humans as a food resource and in fishery. The present study gave the first new insight about the comparative histopathological and histochemical impacts of oral administration of a single dose (25 mg/kg) of the posterior salivary gland (PSG) and ink sac (IS) extracts of O. vulgaris in mice. Histopathologically, the changes in the liver of PSG and IS extracts administrated mice were lymphocyte aggregations, cytoplasmic vacuolar degeneration and enlargement and congestion of hepatic portal veins. The changes caused by the PSG extract were more than those of the IS extract. In the treated spleen, IS extract showed higher impacts more than the PSG extract and occurred as lymphocyte aggregations, red pulp infiltration, increase of megakaryocytes number and mild distortion in the follicle shape. PSG and IS extracts exerted similar impacts in the ileum which detected as villi hyperplasia, epithelial and lamina propria degeneration, epithelial detachment and lymphocytes infiltration. Histochemically, IS extract increased hepatic collagenous fibers more than PSG extract especially after 7 days of administration. Both extracts reduced the liver general carbohydrates and illeal mucopolysaccharide biosynthesis. PSG and IS extracts exerted significant elevation in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes. Hematological studies after PSG administration revealed a significant increase in leukocytic count, and platelets and a significant decrease in lymphocytes and granulocytes. However, IS extract caused a significant increase in platelets. The present data could introduce new information about the toxicity of these extracts especially in the countries which depend on O. vulgaris ink in their food.

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Blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena sp.) envenomation of a 4-year-old boy: A case report

Abstract: This case report serves as a reminder of how appropriate treatment can ensure discharge from hospital with no long-term consequences. It also highlights the importance of education for beach goers and in particular parents to prevent exposure of tetrodotoxin to children.

Cited by 28 publications

References 6 publications

Encounters with Venomous Sea-Life

Encounters with Venomous Sea-Life

Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Cutaneous Ulceration From Octopus vulgaris Bite

Comparative histopathological and histochemical impacts induced by the posterior salivary gland and ink sac extracts of Octopus vulgaris in mice

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