AN OUTBREAK OF ACCIDENTS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE CUBOMEDUSA Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (CNIDARIA) IN SOUTHEAST REGION OF BRAZIL WITH HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SYSTEMIC FINDINGS

Haddad Jr, V.(1), Silva, T.C.R.(1), Soares, C.G.(1), Souza, V.(1), Cardoso, J.L.C.(2)

(1)Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, (2)Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Taubaté.

OBJECTIVE: The accidents provoked by cnidarians are very common in Brazilian coast and around the world. The cubomedusa Chiropsalmus quadrumanus is associated with severe accidents in USA and Caribbean with reports of deaths in children(2)

The local injuries are the main markers of the accidents: linear oedematous and erythematous plaques on the points of contact with the tentacles, blisters and superficial necrosis. The systemic findings, caused by the venom or by allergic process are not frequent in the accidents caused by Brazilian cnidarians(1). This paper reports new cases of cubomedusa accidents in Brazil.

METHODS AND PATIENTS: The authors report ten accidents observed in bathers of the Southeast region of Brazil in January/2000. By means of net-fishing, specimens of the cubomedusa Chiropsalmus quadrumanus were collected in the two beaches where the accidents happened.

RESULTS: The systemic manifestations were noted in eight patients (80%): especially dyspnea (80%), nausea and vomiting (50%), and abundant nasal secretion (20%). In an early study with Brazilian jellyfishes, the authors reported systemic manifestations in only 5% of the victims(1).

CONCLUSION : The observation of a high percentage of systemic symptoms in these accidents should alert for the probability of important injuries and the necessity of more studies about the animals and the consequences provoked by the contact with human beings.

References

1)Haddad Jr, V. Atlas de animais aquáticos perigosos do Brasil: guia médico de identificação e tratamento.Editora Roca, São Paulo, 2000.

2)Bengston, K, Nichols, MM, Schnadig, V et al. Sudden death in a child following jellyfish envenomation by Chiropsalmus quadrumanus. JAMA 266(10):1404-1406, 1991.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

HADDAD JR., V., Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Brasil, Caixa Postal 557, CEP 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil,  Email: haddadjr@fmb.unesp.br