Irukandji-like syndrome in South Florida divers.
Irukandji syndrome is a constellation of delayed severe local and systemic symptoms occurring after a Carukia barnesi box jellyfish sting involving any exposed skin. These cases are limited to Australia, the habitat of that animal. Numerous other cases of an Irukandji-like syndrome after other small Carybdeid genus envenomations have been reported elsewhere in the world. There have yet been no reports of Irukandji-like syndrome occurring in continental US coastal waters. We describe 3 cases of marine envenomation causing such a symptom complex in US military combat divers off Key West, FL. It is unclear what species caused the injuries, but a member of the Carybdeid genus seems most likely.
Grady
James D
JD
Department of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine, US Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School, Key West, FL 33040-9017, USA. cpt-grady@aol.com
Burnett
Joseph W
JW
D000328:Adult; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D037462:Cubozoa; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D003064:Cnidarian Venoms