Fish sting

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Fish sting

A fish sting is an injury which may include envenomation and mechanical trauma. [1] There are a number of species of venomous fish including the stonefish. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Stonefish sting lethality in man has been scarcely documented since the middle of the 20th century. We report three clinical cases, including one fatality, emphasizing the cardiovascular toxicity of the Synanceia verrucosa venom, and its potentially lethal effects. All clinical data have been recently collected in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Due to the medical significance of the venom, there is a notable lack of research on stonefish ichthyocrinotoxins.

Future research should investigate the toxins role in predator defence, parasite prevention, and mitigating epibiosis.

Further inquiry into stonefish toxins would expand ecological insights and may reveal therapeutic and industrial potential

Antivenom is available for stonefish stings. [5]

Weeverfish sting

Weeverfish are colorful marine animals which grow up to 1.5 feet in length. They are found in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and are mostly buried in sand or mud. They can cause serious wounds due to the presence of neurotoxin venom, which can lead to paralysis, seizures or even death. Immediate medical attention is recommended in case of a weeverfish sting. [6]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venom</span> Toxin secreted by an animal

Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved venom apparatus, such as fangs or a stinger, in a process called envenomation. Venom is often distinguished from poison, which is a toxin that is passively delivered by being ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, and toxungen, which is actively transferred to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian funnel-web spider</span> Family of mygalomorph spiders

Atracidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders, commonly known as Australian funnel-web spiders or atracids. It has been included as a subfamily of the Hexathelidae, but is now recognised as a separate family. All members of the family are native to Australia. Atracidae consists of three genera: Atrax, Hadronyche, and Illawarra, comprising 35 species. Some members of the family produce venom that is dangerous to humans, and bites by spiders of six of the species have caused severe injuries to victims. The bites of the Sydney funnel-web spider and northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider are potentially deadly, but no fatalities have occurred since the introduction of modern first-aid techniques and antivenom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antivenom</span> Medical treatment for venomous bites and stings

Antivenom, also known as antivenin, venom antiserum, and antivenom immunoglobulin, is a specific treatment for envenomation. It is composed of antibodies and used to treat certain venomous bites and stings. Antivenoms are recommended only if there is significant toxicity or a high risk of toxicity. The specific antivenom needed depends on the species involved. It is given by injection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake venom</span> Highly modified saliva containing zootoxins

Snake venom is a highly toxic saliva containing zootoxins that facilitates in the immobilization and digestion of prey. This also provides defense against threats. Snake venom is usually injected by unique fangs during a bite, though some species are also able to spit venom.

<i>Crotalus scutulatus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus scutulatus is known commonly as the Mohave Rattlesnake. Other common English names include Mojave Rattlesnake and, referring specifically to the nominate (northern) subspecies: Northern Mohave Rattlesnake and Mojave Green Rattlesnake, the latter name commonly shortened to the more colloquial “Mojave green”. Campbell and Lamar (2004) supported the English name “Mohave (Mojave) rattlesnake” with some reluctance because so little of the snake’s range lies within the Mojave Desert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spider bite</span> Bite caused by a spider

A spider bite, also known as arachnidism, is an injury resulting from the bite of a spider. The effects of most bites are not serious. Most bites result in mild symptoms around the area of the bite. Rarely they may produce a necrotic skin wound or severe pain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta atracotoxin</span> Polypeptide found in the venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider

Delta atracotoxin is a low-molecular-weight neurotoxic polypeptide found in the venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venomous fish</span> Fish that have the ability to produce toxins

Venomous fish are species of fish which produce strong mixtures of toxins harmful to humans which they deliberately deliver by means of a bite, sting, or stab, resulting in an envenomation. As a contrast, poisonous fish also produce a strong toxin, but they do not bite, sting, or stab to deliver the toxin, instead being poisonous to eat because the human digestive system does not destroy the toxin they contain in their bodies. Venomous fish do not necessarily cause poisoning if they are eaten, as the digestive system often destroys the venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater weever</span> Species of fish

The greater weever is a benthic and demersal venomous marine fish of the family Trachinidae. The greater weever is widely distributed along the eastern Atlantic coastline from Norway to Morocco, extending to the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas. Trachinus draco has been shown to occur in depths ranging from shallow water up to -150 meters where it inhabits mostly muddy or sandy grounds. Trachinus draco is mostly and notoriously known for its venomous spines that can inflict serious injuries on humans through accidental stinging. Because of these spines and its potent venom it is classified as one of the most venomous fishes in the Mediterranean.⁠ The name "weever" is thought to originate from the Anglo-Saxon word "wivre" which translates as "viper".

<i>Synanceia nana</i> Species of fish

Synanceia nana, the Red Sea stonefish or dwarf scorpionfish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, a stonefish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

<i>Synanceia</i> Genus of venomous fishes

Synanceia is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, the stonefish, which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfish and relatives. Stonefish are the most venomous fish known; stings can be fatal to humans. They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific. They are sometimes confused with the freshwater lionfish.

<i>Synanceia horrida</i> Species of fish

Synanceia horrida, the estuarine stonefish, hollow-cheek stonefish, horrid stonefish, rough stonefish or true stonefish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, a stonefish belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is a benthic fish which is found in the Indo-Pacific region. This species is considered to be one of the most dangerous venomous fish in the world. It is a popular exhibit in public aquaria and is found in the private aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scorpion sting</span> Medical condition

A scorpion sting is an injury caused by the stinger of a scorpion resulting in the medical condition known as scorpionism, which may vary in severity. The anatomical part of the scorpion that delivers the sting is called a "telson". In typical cases, scorpion stings usually result in pain, paresthesia, and variable swelling. In serious cases, scorpion stings may involve the envenomation of humans by toxic scorpions, which may result in extreme pain, serious illness, or even death depending on the toxicity of the venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stingray injury</span> Injury from a stingrays barbed tail

A stingray injury is caused by the venomous tail spines, stingers or dermal denticles of rays in the order Myliobatiformes, most significantly those belonging to the families Dasyatidae, Urotrygonidae, Urolophidae, and Potamotrygonidae. Stingrays generally do not attack aggressively or even actively defend themselves. When threatened, their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when attacked by predators or stepped on, the stinger in their tail is whipped up. This is normally ineffective against sharks, their main predator.

Birtoxin is a neurotoxin from the venom of the South African Spitting scorpion. By changing sodium channel activation, the toxin promotes spontaneous and repetitive firing much like pyrethroid insecticides do

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varespladib</span> Chemical compound

Varespladib is an inhibitor of the IIa, V, and X isoforms of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2). The molecule acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by disrupting the first step of the arachidonic acid pathway of inflammation. From 2006 to 2012, varespladib was under active investigation by Anthera Pharmaceuticals as a potential therapy for several inflammatory diseases, including acute coronary syndrome and acute chest syndrome. The trial was halted in March 2012 due to inadequate efficacy. The selective sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib (IC50 value 0.009 μM in chromogenic assay, mole fraction 7.3X10-6) was studied in the VISTA-16 randomized clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01130246) and the results were published in 2014. The sPLA2 inhibition by varespladib in this setting seemed to be potentially harmful, and thus not a useful strategy for reducing adverse cardiovascular outcomes from acute coronary syndrome. Since 2016, scientific research has focused on the use of Varespladib as an inhibitor of snake venom toxins using various types of in vitro and in vivo models. Varespladib showed a significant inhibitory effect to snake venom PLA2 which makes it a potential first-line drug candidate in snakebite envenomation therapy. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted varespladib orphan drug status for its potential to treat snakebite.

TsIV is a toxin from the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus which slows the inactivation of sodium channels.

Stonustoxin (SNTX) is an extremely potent cytolytic toxin of the perforin-like superfamily. It is mainly found in stonefish (Synanceia). The name Stonustoxin is an abbreviation of STOnefish National University of Singapore + toxin.

Verrucotoxin (VTX) is a lethal venom produced by the dorsal fins of Synanceia verrucosa. This species of reef stonefish is connected to the family Synanceiidae. The venom of this species of stonefish is a tetrameric glycoprotein with cardiovascular and cytolytic effects.

Venomics is the study of proteins associated with venom, a toxic substance secreted by animals, which is typically injected either offensively or defensively into prey or aggressors, respectively.

References

  1. 1 2 Cameron, Peter; Jelinek, George; Everitt, Ian (2006-01-01). Textbook of Paediatric Emergency Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN   978-0443073489.
  2. Maillaud, C.; Hoang-Oppermann, T.; Hoang-Oppermann, V.; Rigot, H.; Girardot, S.; Nour, M. (September 2020). "Is stonefish Synanceia verrucosa envenomation potentially lethal?". Toxicon. 184: 78–82. Bibcode:2020Txcn..184...78M. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.05.019. PMID   32473254.
  3. Lennox-Bulow, Danica; Smout, Michael; Loukas, Alex; Seymour, Jamie (December 2023). "Stonefish (Synanceia spp.) Ichthyocrinotoxins: An ecological review and prospectus for future research and biodiscovery". Toxicon. 236: 107329. Bibcode:2023Txcn..23607329L. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107329. PMID   37907137.
  4. Khalil, Ahmad M.; Wahsha, Mohammad A.; Abu Khadra, Khalid M.; Khalaf, Maroof A.; Al-Najjar, Tariq H. (February 2018). "Biochemical and histopathological effects of the stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) venom in rats". Toxicon. 142: 45–51. Bibcode:2018Txcn..142...45K. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.12.052. PMID   29294314.
  5. Tiziani, Adriana P. (2013). Havard's Nursing Guide to Drugs (9 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1054. ISBN   9780729581622.
  6. "Wilderness: Weeverfish Sting". WebMD.