Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
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The effect of stimulation frequency on the timecourse of neuromuscular blockade, following the administration of textilotoxin (20 micrograms/kg) or beta-bungarotoxin (50 micrograms/kg), was examined in the interdigital muscles of the hindlimb in anaesthetized mice. While the time of death was variable, neuromuscular blockade of the interdigital muscles occurred at the same time as respiratory failure with both textilotoxin and beta-bungarotoxin only at stimulation rates of 0.5 Hz and above. Textilotoxin (50 micrograms/kg) produced an increase in the heart rate prior to death but no change in the shape of the electrocardiogram.
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A near fatal case of ciguatera-related intoxication following consumption of smoked Decapterus macrosoma is documented. In addition to some of the hallmark symptoms of ciguatera poisoning, the patient exhibited acute respiratory distress and severe muscle spasms. Laboratory results showed large elevations in a number of blood enzymes, indicative of muscle damage. The responsible agent was extracted from corresponding fish samples and identified as palytoxin.
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The documented case of a human fatality resulting from envenomation by Physalia physalis is presented. Although this case is only the second scientifically recorded fatality, several similar cases have been suspected.
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Review
Venomous pelagic coelenterates: chemistry, toxicology, immunology and treatment of their stings.
Ten years have elapsed since our last review article on the toxicology of venomous pelagic coelenterates was published (Burnett and Calton, 1977). Investigation on important medusae and the chemistry of their nematocyst venoms have been expanding. The venomous jellyfish discussed here include the Portuguese man-o'war, (Physalia physalis), the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri and/or Chiropsalmus quadrigatus), the cabbage head jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris), the lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata), the Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi), the Moreton Bay Carybdeid medusa (Morbakka), and the mauve blubber (Pelagia noctiluca).
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The simplified purification protocol established for the isolation of alpha-latrotoxin from the venom of the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, has been employed for the purification of toxic components present in the venom of the spider Steatoda paykulliana. The venom of this spider, frequently mistaken for L. tredecimguttatus, is by tradition considered to cause an envenomation potentially dangerous to man. The venom of S. paykulliana has little toxic effect on guinea-pigs but is extremely toxic to houseflies (Musca domestica). ⋯ Antibodies against the whole L. tredecimguttatus venom gave a few positive cross-reactions in the immunodiffusion test with S. paykulliana venom gland extract indicating the presence of common molecular sequences in the two venoms. Polyclonal antibodies against alpha-latrotoxin did not cross-react in the immunodiffusion test with S. paykulliana venom extracts, nor in the immunofluorescence assay with its cephalothorax sections, thus suggesting that the venom glands do not contain alpha-latrotoxin. A partial characterization of S. paykulliana venom has been performed and a high molecular weight protein toxic to houseflies has been partially purified.