Hemolysis and Acute Renal Failure Following a Portuguese Man-of-War Sting

Abstract

Portuguese man-of-war stings occur frequently at North American beaches. Most produce only local pain and pruritis. A 4-year-old girl who developed a hemolytic reaction and acute renal failure following a severe sting is described. As neither sequela has been previously reported, it is speculated that either the large dose of venom or chance intravenous inoculation may have been responsible. Evidence of hemolysis should be sought in small children with extensive Portuguese man-of-war stings.

Rhabdomyolysis due to jellyfish envenomation in Western Australian waters

“…The acute kidney injury in this patient is in keeping with a case report of 4‐year‐old child following P. physalis envenomation 5 . We note that no kidney injury occurred in our case, due to the early identification of rhabdomyolysis and prompt treatment with intravenous fluid.…”