Further understanding of, and a new treatment for, “Irukandji” (Carukia barnesi) stings

Jellyfish Stings and Their Management: A Review

“…However, a number of cases occurred before the responsible creature was captured in 1961 and named by Southcott, combining the words “carybdeids” and “Irukandji” to create the term “Carukia” and “barnesi”, commemorating Dr. Barnes [60,83,85]. Irukandji syndrome can consist of severe low back pain, muscle cramps in all four limbs, abdominal and chest pain, tremors, sweating, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, headache and palpitations [1,83,85,86,87]. Since its original description, life-threatening hypertension (up to 300/150 mm Hg) [75], tachycardia, pulmonary edema and toxic global heart dilatation requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission have been added as further complications of this syndrome [62,83,86].…”

“…Irukandji syndrome can consist of severe low back pain, muscle cramps in all four limbs, abdominal and chest pain, tremors, sweating, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, headache and palpitations [1,83,85,86,87]. Since its original description, life-threatening hypertension (up to 300/150 mm Hg) [75], tachycardia, pulmonary edema and toxic global heart dilatation requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission have been added as further complications of this syndrome [62,83,86]. Depending on the species responsible, many patients with Irukandji syndrome have pain without hypertension, while others have severe hypertension, even with effective pain control [88].…”

Cubozoan jellyfish envenomation syndromes and their medical treatment in northern Australia

“…Despite its small size, 1.5-2 cm diam., it can prostrate and almost kill a healthy adult male (Fenner et al, 1986. It has 4 tentacles, extending to 35 cm, but 6 cm when contracted (Southcott, 1967).…”

“…Sting cases are usually sporadic and occur far from medical help but vinegar inhibits nematocyst discharge in all cubozoans tested so far (Hartwick etal., 1980;Fenner etal., 1985;Fenner & Williamson, 1987), including Carukia (see Fenner et al, 1986). A typical case of Carukia envenomation starts with a small or insignificant sting, usually at or near water level.…”

“…The cubozoan Chironex fleckeri Southcott has caused some 80 human deaths in Australia since 1884 (Cleland & Southcott, 1965;Williamson, 1985). A small carybdeid Carukia barnesi Southcott (the 'Irukandji') causes a near-lethal syndrome (Fenner et al, 1986. Two unidentified but similar carybdeids, although not lethal, may cause symptoms resembling the 'Irukandji' syndrome (Cleland & Southcott, 1965;Fenner et al, 1985).…”