An outbreak of Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis - Linnaeus, 1758) envenoming in Southeastern Brazil.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are cnidarians capable of discharging intracellular organelles filled with venom, resulting in severe envenomation in humans.

METHODS:

We report the clinical and therapeutic aspects of 331 accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war in an outbreak on the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

RESULTS:

The clinical manifestations of envenomation were rare and mild and mostly local, systemic reactions; there was a low rate of late complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

The consequences of envenomation were of moderate severity, and first aid measures were effective in controlling the pain. Outbreaks of accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war occur periodically in the area without a clear explanation.

• Authors: Vidal Haddad Jr, Rossana Virga, Adriano Bechara, Fábio Lang da Silveira, André Carrara Morandini
• Journal: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Rev Soc Bras Med Trop) 2013 Sep-Oct Vol. 46 Issue 5 Pg. 641-4 ISSN: 1678-9849 [Electronic] Brazil
• PMID: 23904083 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cnidarian Venoms

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Animals
• Bites and Stings (epidemiology, etiology)
• Brazil (epidemiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cnidarian Venoms (poisoning)
• Disease Outbreaks
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrozoa
• Infant
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous (epidemiology, etiology)
• Young Adult