Pereira, Peter L., Carrette, Teresa, Cullen, Paul, Mulcahy, Richard F., Little, Mark, and Seymour, Jamie (2000) Pressure immobilisation bandages in first-aid treatment of jellyfish envenomation: current recommendations reconsidered. Medical Journal of Australia, 173 (11). pp. 650-652.

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether applying pressure equivalent to that of pressure immobilisation bandages (PIB) causes release of additional venom from discharged jellyfish nematocysts.

Design: In-vitro experiment - the venom beads released from electrically activated Chiropsalmus sp. nematocysts were viewed under direct microscopy before and after applying 40 mmHg pressure (replicating the pressure of PI B); and saline washings of discharged nematocysts before and after applying pressure were tested for toxicity (time to ventricular standstill after injecting into live prawns).

Results: Applying 40 mmHg pressure caused the venom beads to visibly increase in size, consistent with pressure expressing further venom from the discharged nematocysts. First washings of the nematocyst shafts before compression produced ventricular standstill in prawns within 60 seconds (n =3); second washings did not produce standstill during 540 seconds of observation( n =3); and washings after applying 40 mmHg pressure showed a return of toxicity, with ventricular standstill in all prawns within 180 seconds (n =3).

Conclusion: Discharged nematocysts are by no means empty and harmless. Applying pressure results in further release of nematocyst venom. The currently recommended practice of applying PIB in the initial treatment of patients stung by a jellyfish may exacerbate the envenomation, and thus should not be recommended.

Item ID:	39495
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1326-5377
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2016 02:13
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences > 111506 Toxicology (incl Clinical Toxicology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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