Irukandji Syndrome

Irukandji syndrome is a distressing envenoming secondary to the sting of Carukia barnesi and other, as yet unidentified, jellyfish found in coastal waters of tropical Australia. It has also been reported in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Asia and Papua New Guinea. In a small number of cases, life-threatening hypertension and pulmonary oedema may develop. Two fatalities have been attributed to this condition in Australia. Management is symptomatic and supportive. Antivenom has not yet been developed

References

• Barnes JH. Cause and effect in Irukandji stingings. Medical Journal of Australia 1964; 1:897-904.
• Huynh TT, Seymour J, Pereira P, et al. Severity of Irukandji syndrome and nematocyst identification from skin scrapings. Medical Journal of Australia 2003; 178:38-41.
• Little M, Mulcahy RF. A year’s experience of “Irukandji” jellyfish envenomation in far north Queensland. Medical Journal of Australia 1998.; 169:638-641.
• Little M, Pereira P, Carrette T, et al.  Jellyfish responsible for Irukandji syndrome. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 2006; 99:425-427.
• Macrocanis CJ, Hall NJ, Mein JK. Irukandji syndrome in northern Western Australia: an emerging health problem Medical Journal of Australia 2004; 181(11/12):699-702.
• NicksonCP, Waugh EB, Jacups SP, et al. Irukandji syndrome case series from Australia’a tropical Northern Territory. Annals of Emergency Medicine 2009; 54(3):395-403