| Irukandji syndrome | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A specimen of Malo kingi, a species of Irukandji jellyfish, in a clear plastic vial | |
| Specialty | Medical toxicology  |
| Symptoms | Headache, backache, chest and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, pathological sweating, severe and sudden onset anxiety, tachycardia[1][2][3] |
| Complications | Hypertension, enlarged heart, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest, possible heart failure[1][2][3] |
| Usual onset | 30 minutes after exposure |
| Duration | 4 to 30 hours, sometimes up to 2 weeks |
| Causes | Irukandji jellyfish sting |
| Deaths | 70 |
Irukandji syndrome is a condition that results from envenomation by certain box jellyfish.[4] In rare instances the sting may result in cardiac arrest and death.[5] The most common jellyfish involved is the Carukia barnesi, a species of Irukandji jellyfish.[4] Those stung may experience severe or even excruciating pain.
The syndrome was given its name in 1952 by Hugo Flecker, after the Aboriginal Irukandji people who live in Palm Cove, north of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, where stings are common.[6]
- ^ a b Fenner Peter J., Hadok John C. (2002). "Fatal envenomation by jellyfish causing Irukandji syndrome". The Medical Journal of Australia. 177 (7): 362–63. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04838.x. PMID 12358578. S2CID 2157752.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
MJA1964-Barneswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
AnnEmergMed2009-Nicksonwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Little M; P. Pereira; T. Carrette; J. Seymour (2006). "Jellyfish Responsible for Irukandji Syndrome". Q J Med. 99 (6): 425–27. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcl057. PMID 16687419.
- ^ "Irukandji syndrome". lifeinthefastlane.com. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ Flecker H (1952). "Irukandji sting to North Queensland bathers without production of weals but with severe general symptoms". Med J Aust. 2 (3): 89–91. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1952.tb100081.x. PMID 14956317. S2CID 29684377.