Hawdon Gm

CARDIOVASCULAR ACTIONS OF THE VENOM FROM THE IRUKANDJI ( CARUKIA BARNESI ) JELLYFISH: EFFECTS IN HUMAN, RAT AND GUINEA-PIG TISSUES IN VITRO AND IN PIGS IN VIVO

1. We have investigated the cardiovascular pharmacology of the crude venom extract (CVE) from the potentially lethal, very small carybdeid jellyfish Carukia barnesi, in rat, guinea‐pig and human isolated tissues and anaesthetized piglets.

Jellyfish Antivenoms: Past, Present, and Future

If snake antivenoms are considered orphan drugs, then jellyfish antivenoms are the poorest of the orphans. Despite the diversity, ubiquity and toxicity of the venomous cnidarians, only a single antivenom is available for jellyfish stings worldwide. That antivenom, an ovine whole IgG product, is directed against the ‘box’ jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, and is manufactured by CSL Limited (Melbourne, Australia). It also neutralises the venom of closely related cubozoans such as Chiropsalmus quadrigatus. The recognition of the life‐threatening effects of various other jellyfish demonstrates the need for broadening the specificity of the existing product and/or developing additional specific jellyfish antivenoms. These emerging threats include the irukandji syndrome, due to Carukia barnesi and other carybdeids, as well as those from scyphozoans such as Stomolophus spp. The role of ancillary drug therapy, in addition to, or instead of, antivenoms remains controversial. This review will consider the development of jellyfish antivenoms, their clinical utility and future developments in the field.