Impact of Scyphozoan Venoms on Human Health and Current First Aid Options for Stings

Abstract

Cnidaria include the most venomous animals of the world. Among Cnidaria, Scyphozoa (true jellyfish) are ubiquitous, abundant, and often come into accidental contact with humans and, therefore, represent a threat for public health and safety. The venom of Scyphozoa is a complex mixture of bioactive substances—including thermolabile enzymes such as phospholipases, metalloproteinases, and, possibly, pore-forming proteins—and is only partially characterized. Scyphozoan stings may lead to local and systemic reactions via toxic and immunological mechanisms; some of these reactions may represent a medical emergency. However, the adoption of safe and efficacious first aid measures for jellyfish stings is hampered by the diffusion of folk remedies, anecdotal reports, and lack of consensus in the scientific literature. Species-specific differences may hinder the identification of treatments that work for all stings. However, rinsing the sting site with vinegar (5% acetic acid) and the application of heat (hot pack/immersion in hot water) or lidocaine appear to be substantiated by evidence. Controlled clinical trials or reliable models of envenomation are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of these approaches and identify possible species-specific exceptions. Knowledge of the precise composition of Scyphozoa venom may open the way to molecule-oriented therapies in the future.

Inhibitory Effect of Metalloproteinase Inhibitors on Skin Cell Inflammation Induced by Jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai Nematocyst Venom

“…Our results indicate that MMPs in jellyfish venom probably play an important role in the process of jellyfish dermatitis caused by jellyfish stings. Dossena pointed out that MMPs can be regarded as novel therapeutic targets in scyphozoan envenomation [31]. This view suggested that MMPs may play an important role in jellyfish stings, which is consistent with the results of this study.…”

Potential of Cocoa Ethanol Extract Toward Nematocyst Tubul Firing Inhibition of Physalia Utriculus Toxin In Vitro

“…Firing tubul spesies Physalia utriculus perlu diwaspadai karena dapat menembus lapisan integumen hanya dalam waktu 3 mili detik sehingga menyebabkan gangguan sistemik secara cepat dan tiba-tiba dengan berbagai tingkat keparahan berupa rasa gatal, hemolisis, sitolisis, neurotoksik, kardiotoksik, bahkan hingga berefek letal (Slaughter et al, 2009;Kitatani et al, 2015;Calton et al, 1978;Hessinger dan Lenhoff, 1988;Alam dan Qasim, 1991;Tibballs et al, 2011). Pelbagai cara penanggulangan telah dilakukan sedari onset pertama sengatan dengan harapan dapat menyelamatkan kehidupan dan mencegah suatu keparahan melalui pemberian asam asetat (cuka), etanol, natrium bikarbonat, alumunium sulfat, air hangat, air dingin, air laut, bahkan urin (Giordano et al, 2005;Loten et al, 2006;Yoshimoto dan Yanagihara, 2002;Wilcox dan Yanagihara, 2016;Bais et al, 2017;Remigante et al, 2018).…”

Differences in the cnidomes and toxicities of the oral arms of two commercially harvested rhizostome jellyfish species in Thailand

“…Rhizostome stings are generally reported as mild skin inflammation (Fenner, 1993); however, they can also cause severe health hazards such as erythematous eruption, oedema and burn-like injuries (Figure 1), which have been reported in Acromitus rabanchatu Annandale, 1915, Rhopilema nomadica Ferguson, 1990, R. pulmo, R. hispidum, N. nomurai andS. meleagris (Burnett &Calton, 1985;Galil et al, 1990;Ghosh et al, 1990;Othman et al, 1996;Williamson et al, 1996;Kokelj & Plozzer, 2002;Fenner, 2005;Kawahara et al, 2006;Remigante et al, 2018;present study).…”