A Case Study of Lionfish Sting-Induced Paralysis
Journal Title: Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation - International Journal of the Bioflux Society - Year 2012, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
The lionfish, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758), a venomous scorpionfish, has gained popularity among aquarium owners and has recently become established along the Southeast US, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. The primary clinical effect due to envenomation is local pain, with systemic symptoms being a rare finding. Herein is reported a rare envenomation case of a 24 year old male who presented to the Emergency Department two hours following a lionfish sting to his right hand. Within three hours of envenomation he developed paralysis of all extremities. Additional symptoms included hypertension, tachycardia, and numbness of both hands. Respiratory function and range of motion of his head and neck remained intact. Hot water immersion of the affected extremity was initiated and continued throughout most of his Intensive Care Unit stay. By eight hours post-envenomation resolution of all paralysis occurred. Lionfish envenomations are typically a pain control issue and usually respond well to hot water immersion. In vitro, lionfish venom has been demonstrated to increase intracellular calcium with resulting sustained muscle contraction. Additionally, muscle fibrillation has been shown to be induced by the release of acetylcholine followed by acetylcholine depletion and loss of muscle responsiveness. These effects may explain the observed neuromuscular weakness in this patient. Lionfish envenomation has the potential to cause profound neuromuscular weakness. Treatment with hot water immersion, wound care, and good supportive measures are generally all that is required to ensure a favorable outcome. Divers and fishers should exercise caution when handling or interacting with lionfish given the potential for systematic effects from envenomation.
Authors and Affiliations
Randy Badillo, William Banner, James Morris, Scott Schaeffer
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP114749
- DOI -
- Views 108
- Downloads 0
Instructions to authors
Heavy metals concentration in tissues of the Eaurasian minnow Phoxinus phoxinus from the Czarna Orawa River system, Poland
Concentration of the four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) in tissues of the Eurasian minnow Phoxinus phoxinus from Polish part of the Czarna Orawa River system was investigated using the AAS method. Significant differences...
Feeding ecology of knout goby (Mesogobius batrachocephalus Pallas, 1814) from the Romanian Black Sea (Agigea – Eforie Nord area).
The present study investigates the variations in the feeding ecology of the knout goby (M.batrachocephalus). The index of relative importance indicated opportunistic feeding on macrobenthic fauna. The fish fed mainly on...
Investigation of chemical composition of ceolomic fluid and its effect on sperm motility traits in Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio, during spawning season.
The effects of the composition of ceolomic fluid and sperm function are not well understood in teleostean fish species. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of the major inorganic ions (Na+, K+...
Macrozoobenthic community structure and dynamics in Cerna River (western Romania)
In order to determine water quality in Cerna River, researchers carried out analyses into the structure and dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates communities as well as into the physical-chemical factors. 12 Groups of m...