Severe case of rhabdomyolysis following jellyfish envenomation in the Mediterranean Sea
Ada Maria Florena,
Giuliana Guggino,
Chiara Rizzo,
Lidia La Barbera,
Giorgio Buscetta,
Federica Camarda,
Antonino Federico,
Benedetto Maria Garbo
Affiliations
Ada Maria Florena
Pathology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Giuliana Guggino
Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital P. Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
Chiara Rizzo
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Lidia La Barbera
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Giorgio Buscetta
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Federica Camarda
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Antonino Federico
Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Benedetto Maria Garbo
Pathology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Jellyfish envenomation is a common problem in coastal areas all over the world; usually symptoms are self-limited with no long-lasting complications. Despite that, some jellyfish species, mainly populating the Indian Ocean, are renown to be potentially lethal and in some cases may cause severe myopathy. We report the first case of rhabdomyolysis following a jellyfish sting in the Mediterranean Sea. A 17-year-old patient was admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital in life-threatening conditions. He was dyspnoeic and dysphagic with pain and functional impairment of upper and lower limbs. The evidence of a red mark in his face and the clinical presentation, coupled with the diagnostic test performed, allowed the diagnosis of toxidrome from jellyfish venom. Treatment with hydration, ventilatory support and steroids led to a progressive improvement of patient conditions. Our case report stresses the importance of prompt identification and treatment of potential rhabdomyolysis determined by jellyfish and rises awareness on the presence of such venomous species in the Mediterranean Sea.
