RT Book, Section
A1 Zafren, Ken
A1 Thurman, R. Jason
A1 Jones, Ian D.
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181051093
T1 Coelenterate Envenomation
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181051093
RD 2024/04/24
AB The  phylum  Coelenterata  contains  approximately  10,000  different  species,  of  which  several  hundred  are  a  danger  to  humans.  This  diverse  group  includes  hydrozoans  (including  Portuguese  man-of-war,  stinging  hydrozoans,  and  fire  coral),  scyphozoans  (“true”  jellyfish),  and  anthozoans  (soft  corals,  stony  corals,  and  anemones).  They  account  for  more  marine  envenomations  than  any  other  phylum.  The  important  species  involved  in  human  injuries  have  stinging  cells  called  nematocysts.  Nematocysts  are  enclosed  in  venom  sacs  and  are  present  in  tentacles  that  hang  from  air-filled  structures.  After  external  contact,  the  nematocysts  are  discharged  from  their  sacs,  often  penetrating  the  skin,  and  release  their  venom.  Nematocyst  venom  is  an  extremely  complex  substance  containing  numerous  proteins  and  enzymes.  Clinical  presentations  following  envenomation  range  from  mild  dermatitis  to  cardiovascular  and  pulmonary  collapse.  Mild  envenomations  usually  result  in  a  self-limited  inflammatory  eruption  associated  with  burning  and  limited  to  areas  of  contact.  Moderate  to  severe  envenomations  produce  a  spectrum  of  neurologic,  cardiovascular,  respiratory,  and  gastrointestinal  symptoms.  Anaphylactoid  reactions—including  hypotension,  dysrhythmias,  bronchospasm,  and  cardiovascular  collapse—may  occur,  resulting  in  unexplained  drownings.