Toxic material from the tentacles of the cubomedusan Chironex fleckeri

Endean, R.; Noble, Mary

doi:10.1016/0041-0101(71)90078-x

Cited by 63 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…As already reported for other Cnidaria [72,[104][105][106][107][108][109][110], in the case of Pelagia noctiluca the toxicity is not exclusively due to nematocysts, but is also ascribable to tissue components [111].…”

Section: Nematocyst Isolation and Toxicity Of The Venomsupporting

confidence: 54%

The Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775). Distribution, Ecology, Toxicity and Epidemiology of Stings.

2008

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Abstract:The toxicity of Cnidaria is a subject of concern due to its influence on humans. In particular, jellyfish blooms can highly affect human economical activities, such as bathing, fishery, tourism, etc., as well as the public health. Stinging structures of Cnidaria (nematocysts) produce remarkable effects on human skin, such as erythema, swelling, burning and vesicles, and at times further severe dermonecrotic, cardio-and neurotoxic effects, which are particularly dangerous in sensitive subjects. In several zones the toxicity of jellyfish is a very important health problem, thus it has stimulated the research on these organisms; to date toxicological research on Cnidarian venoms in the Mediterranean region is not well developed due to the weak poisonousness of venoms of jellyfish and anemones living in this area. In spite of this, during last decades several problems were also caused in the Mediterranean by stinging consequent to Cnidarian blooms mainly caused by Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775) which is known to be the most venomous Mediterranean jellyfish. This paper reviews the knowledge on this jellyfish species, particularly considering its occurrence and toxicity.

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Section: Nematocyst Isolation and Toxicity Of The Venomsupporting

confidence: 54%

The Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775). Distribution, Ecology, Toxicity and Epidemiology of Stings.

2008

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“…Second, the method used to prepare the venom extract may be subject to contamination by non‐venom components. The optimal technique for the extraction of cubozoan venoms has long been the subject of debate 43–45 . Essentially three sources of venom extract have been used by various investigators: (i) ‘milked’ venom; 46,47 (ii) whole tentacle extracts; 44,48 and (iii) purified or enriched nematocyst preparations 49,50 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIONS OF THE VENOM FROM THE IRUKANDJI (CARUKIA BARNESI) JELLYFISH: EFFECTS IN HUMAN, RAT AND GUINEA‐PIG TISSUES IN VITRO AND IN PIGS IN VITRO

Winkel

Tibballs

Molenaar

et al. 2005

Clin Exp Pharma Physio

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1. We have investigated the cardiovascular pharmacology of the crude venom extract (CVE) from the potentially lethal, very small carybdeid jellyfish Carukia barnesi, in rat, guinea-pig and human isolated tissues and anaesthetized piglets. 2. In rat and guinea-pig isolated right atria, CVE (0.1-10 microg/mL) caused tachycardia in the presence of atropine (1 micromol/L), a response almost completely abolished by pretreatment with tetrodotoxin (TTX; 0.1 micromol/L). In paced left atria from guinea-pig or rat, CVE (0.1-3 microg/mL) caused a positive inotropic response in the presence of atropine (1 micromol/L). 3. In rat mesenteric small arteries, CVE (0.1-30 microg/mL) caused concentration-dependent contractions that were unaffected by 0.1 micromol/L TTX, 0.3 micromol/L prazosin or 0.1 micromol/L omega-conotoxin GVIA. 4. Neither the rat right atria tachycardic response nor the contraction of rat mesenteric arteries to CVE were affected by the presence of box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) antivenom (92.6 units/mL). 5. In human isolated driven right atrial trabeculae muscle strips, CVE (10 microg/mL) tended to cause an initial fall, followed by a more sustained increase, in contractile force. In the presence of atropine (1 micromol/L), CVE only caused a positive inotropic response. In separate experiments in the presence of propranolol (0.2 micromol/L), the negative inotropic effect of CVE was enhanced, whereas the positive inotropic response was markedly decreased. 6. In anaesthetized piglets, CVE (67 microg/kg, i.v.) caused sustained tachycardia and systemic and pulmonary hypertension. Venous blood samples demonstrated a marked elevation in circulating levels of noradrenaline and adrenaline. 7. We conclude that C. barnesi venom may contain a neural sodium channel activator (blocked by TTX) that, in isolated atrial tissue (and in vivo), causes the release of transmitter (and circulating) catecholamines. The venom may also contain a 'direct' vasoconstrictor component. These observations explain, at least in part, the clinical features of the potentially deadly Irukandji syndrome.

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“…The best results were obtained by Percoll and SCN − which yielded sufficient undischarged nematocysts and a satisfactory isolation; it was stated also that the nematocyst preservation is greatly improved by freezing and by neutral values of pH [151]. Anyhow, as for other Cnidaria [113,152–157], also tissue components of Pelagia noctiluca could exert toxicity [158]. …”

Section: Cnidarian Jellyfish Venomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean Jellyfish Venoms: A Review on Scyphomedusae

2010

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The production of natural toxins is an interesting aspect, which characterizes the physiology and the ecology of a number of marine species that use them for defence/offence purposes. Cnidarians are of particular concern from this point of view; their venoms are contained in specialized structures–the nematocysts–which, after mechanical or chemical stimulation, inject the venom in the prey or in the attacker. Cnidarian stinging is a serious health problem for humans in the zones where extremely venomous jellyfish or anemones are common, such as in temperate and tropical oceanic waters and particularly along several Pacific coasts, and severe cases of envenomation, including also lethal cases mainly induced by cubomedusae, were reported. On the contrary, in the Mediterranean region the problem of jellyfish stings is quite modest, even though they can have anyhow an impact on public health and be of importance from the ecological and economic point of view owing to the implications on ecosystems and on some human activities such as tourism, bathing and fishing. This paper reviews the knowledge about the various aspects related to the occurrence and the stinging of the Mediterranean scyphozoan jellyfish as well as the activity of their venoms.

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Toxic material from the tentacles of the cubomedusan Chironex fleckeri

Cited by 63 publications

References 10 publications

The Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775). Distribution, Ecology, Toxicity and Epidemiology of Stings.

The Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775). Distribution, Ecology, Toxicity and Epidemiology of Stings.

CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIONS OF THE VENOM FROM THE IRUKANDJI (CARUKIA BARNESI) JELLYFISH: EFFECTS IN HUMAN, RAT AND GUINEA‐PIG TISSUES IN VITRO AND IN PIGS IN VITRO

Mediterranean Jellyfish Venoms: A Review on Scyphomedusae

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