Venomous Bites, Stings, and Poisoning: An Update.

This article discusses the epidemiology, prevention, clinical features, and treatment of venomous bites by snakes, lizards, and spiders; stings by fish, jellyfish, echinoderms, insects, and scorpions; and poisoning by ingestion of fish, turtles, and shellfish. Invertebrate stings cause fatalities by anaphylaxis, secondary to acquired hypersensitivity (Hymenoptera, such as bees, wasps, and ants; and jellyfish), and by direct envenoming (scorpions, spiders, jellyfish, and echinoderms). Simple preventive techniques, such as wearing protective clothing, using a flashlight at night, and excluding venomous animals from sleeping quarters, are of paramount importance to reduce the risk of venomous bites and stings.

Venomous bites, stings, and poisoning.

This article discusses the epidemiology, prevention, clinical features, first aid and medical treatment of venomous bites by snakes, lizards, and spiders; stings by fish, jellyfish, echinoderms, and insects; and poisoning by fish and molluscs, in all parts of the world. Of these envenoming and poisonings, snake bite causes the greatest burden of human suffering, killing 46,000 people each year in India alone and more than 100,000 worldwide and resulting in physical handicap in many survivors. Specific antidotes (antivenoms/antivenins) are available to treat envenoming by many of these taxa but supply and distribution is inadequate in many tropical developing countries.

Sea urchin granuloma.

Injuries caused by venomous and poisonous aquatic animals may provoke important morbidity in humans. The phylum Echinoderma include more than 6000 species of starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers some of which have been found responsible for injuries to humans. Initial injuries by sea urchins are associated with trauma and envenomation, but later effects can be observed.

Sea-urchin envenomation.

Sea-urchin stings may produce injurious and venomous wounds. Although numerous writers refer to the danger of pedicellarial stings, there is little worth-while clinical data. We report a case of sea-urchin injury with severe local reaction and acute hepatitis.

Marine envenomations.

As man takes increasing advantage of the waters of the world for recreational, commercial and scientific purposes, the hazards of human contact with inhabitants must be appreciated. Many invertebrate and vertebrate animal species have developed natural defense mechanisms, some of which involve envenomation, with a few species posing the threat of serious injury or death. This paper discusses the more common and more serious marine envenomations encountered worldwide, including toxicology of the associated venoms and a discussion of current treatment recommendations.