The Box jellyfish is found in tropical Australian waters. Most stings are benign and respond to supportive measures. Severe envenoming has been associated with at least 70 deaths in Australia, the last 12 being children. All deaths occur within 5 minutes of the sting, probably secondary to direct cardiac toxicity.
The specific venom components are still being identified. The lethal component appears to effect calcium channels. Pore formation on cell membranes is associated with a rapid rise in cystosolic calcium levels in myocytes. There are also haemolytic and dermatonecrotic components.
References
- Currie BJ, Jacups S. Prospective study of Chironex fleckeri and other box jellyfish stings in the “Top End” of Australia’s Northern Territory. Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 183:161-166.
- Currie BJ. Marine antivenoms. Journal of Toxicology – Clinical Toxicology 2003;41:301-308.
- Tibbals J. Australian venomous jellyfish, envenomation syndromes, toxins and therapy. Toxicon 2006;48:830-59.
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