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Classification

Corallimorpharians, coral-like organisms in the phylum Cnidaria, are highly competitive and resistant to disease. They co-exist with other species, but nothing seems to take over their space. Learn about their characteristics, types, and the dangers of envenomation from other coelenterates.

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Classification

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  1. Classification • Order corallimorpharia: Corallimorphs very coral-like, but they do not secrete a skeleton • phylum Cnidaria • Class Anthozoa • Radially arranged tentacles or pseudo tentacles, if present. The most popular varieties contain symbiotic zooxanthellae,

  2. Types • Corallimorpharians are found in all oceans • tropical to polar & shallow to deep waters • Most common types six genera: Actinodiscus, Rhodactis, Discosoma, Amplexidiscus, Psuedocorynactis and Ricordea • Psuedocorynactis are rare, orange ball corallimorph are the most photographed

  3. Characteristics • Resistant to disease, & extremely competitively dominant • Nothing seems to settle near corallimorpharians, • Never seen anything able to take over space occupied by corallimorpharians

  4. Characteristics • Co-existence with other species is possible, but the corallimorpharians never seem to "lose a battle • Only animals able to resist nearby settlement & competition by Aiptasia anemones. For this trait alone, they must be admired!

  5. Characteristics • Coelenterates are animals classified in the phylum of aquatic invertebrates, which is responsible for more envenomations than any other marine phylum • Almost 9000 species of coelenterates exist; approximately 100 are toxic to humans

  6. Characteristics • Coelenterates have a gastrovascular cavity with a single opening, which functions for both digestion and circulation • Another feature is the presence of stinging cells called nematocysts

  7. Characteristics • The phylum is divided into 4 major classes, as follows: • Hydrozoa (Portuguese man-of-war, fire corals) • Scyphozoa (true jellyfish) • Cubozoa (box jellyfish) • Anthozoa (sea anemones)

  8. Disease • Severe rash and itching or pain • Unset in 1st 12hrs, may be able to penetrate lycra wet suit • Nematocysts are poison mechanism

  9. Portuguese man-of-war • The Portuguese man-of-war is a free-swimming organism with tentacles hanging from the float (ie, main body) • Two species of Portuguese man-of-war exist • The larger species, Physalia physalis, lives in the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean Sea

  10. Types • The smaller species, Physalia utriculus, lives in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. • The tentacles may be 100 feet long and may contain as many as 1 million nematocysts • Even detached tentacles are a hazard on the beach because they are capable of releasing venom for several weeks • Two confirmed deaths caused by P physalis have been reported

  11. Types • The fire corals Millepora typically are encountered off the Florida Coast and in the Caribbean • The hydroid corals are sessile creatures that attach to rocks, coral, seaweed, or pilings • Mild stinging sensation occasional burning pain and lymphadenopathy

  12. Types • In US the true jellyfish are the most common species causing envenomation • The sea nettles Chrysaora & Cyanea are located along the Atlantic coast, with a high concentration near the Chesapeake Bay • Envenomations caused by scyphozoans are less severe than those caused by the Portuguese man-of-war

  13. Types • Box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri • Sea wasp Chiropsalmus quadrigatus are the most toxic marine organisms • Found in northern Australian waters but not in North American waters

  14. Types • Sea anemones and the corals are sessile creatures, and the anemones found within the US tidal zones have minimal toxicity • Corals are important components of living reefs, and the risk of infection from a coral cut is of greater concern than its toxic effects

  15. Pathophysiology • Most toxins contain a complex mixture of polypeptides and proteins, including catecholamines, histamine, hyaluronidase, fibolysins, kinins, phospholipases, and various hemolytic, cardiotoxic, and dermatonecrotic toxins

  16. Pathophysiology • The toxin of coelenterates is located in the nematocysts. Only toxic organisms have nematocysts capable of penetrating the human skin and releasing the toxins.

  17. Pathophysiology • Nematocysts are present on the outer surface of the tentacles or near the mouth • Nematocysts are contained within the cnidoblast or the outer capsule • Cnidocil (ie, trigger point) is on the external surface of the cnidoblast and can be triggered by mechanical or chemical stimuli. A hollow, coiled, sharply pointed, threaded tube containing venom is at the base of the cnidocil.

  18. Mortality/Morbidity: • Fatal envenomations caused by the box jellyfish occur in tropical waters of northern Australia • At least 63 deaths have been documented

  19. Disease • The most common presentation is a painful papular-urticarial eruption. Lesions can last for minutes to hours, and the rash may progress to urticaria, hemorrhage, or ulceration. • Ocular contact has resulted in conjunctivitis, chemosis, corneal ulcerations, and lid edema.

  20. Disease • Chronic reactions include keloid formation, hyperpigmentation, fatty atrophy, contraction, and vascular spasm. Uncommon local reactions include angioedema, recurrent reaction, contact dermatitis, and papular urticaria

  21. Disease: Sea bathers' eruption • Sea bathers' eruption is an intensely pruritic maculopapular eruption developing on skin that has been covered by swimwear. It probably is caused by the larvae of thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata). A rash develops approximately 24 hours after exposure and may last 3-5 days. • Systemic reactions include headache, malaise, fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasm, pallor, respiratory distress, hemolysis, and acute renal failure.

  22. Irukandji syndrome • Ingestion of jellyfish has resulted in abdominal pain, cramping, and generalized urticaria. • Irukandji syndrome (consisting of backache, arthralgias, myalgias, vomiting, sweating, pyrexia, tachycardia, dyspnea, and hypertension) may occur after envenomation by the small jellyfish (Carukia barnesi). Although the systemic reaction can be significant, the sting is frequently not visible.

  23. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) Carukia barnesi has a single retractile tentacle, from 50 to 500 mm long, hanging from each of the four corners of its bell. image by L. Gershwin Small jellyfish approx 2cm diameter bell, responsible for an unusual and dramatic syndrome observed following stings in northern Australia, especially north Queensland Irukandji is the name of an aboriginal tribe that once lived in the area around Cairns in north Queensland. Unlike Chironex fleckeri (Box Jelly Fish), Irukandji are found mostly in the deeper waters of the reef, although they may be swept inshore by prevailing currents Divers and snorkellers are particularly at risk

  24. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • Stings have occurred from Childers to Broome, and a similar syndrome has been described elsewhere in the Pacific. • Greater than sixty people are hospitalized with this potentially fatal syndrome • Initial sting is usually not very painful

  25. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • 5-45 (avg 30) minutes after being stung, severe backache or headache & shooting pains in their muscles, chest & abdomen • Nausea & vomiting, anxious, & restless, HBP • Rare cases pulmonary edema potentially fatal if untreated

  26. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • 1964, Dr. Jack Barnes spent several hours in a wetsuit lying in the water near Cairns searching for a jellyfish responsible for “irukandji syndrome” • To Dr Barnes' delight, a thumbnail-sized jellyfish swam past his mask

  27. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • He stung himself, his son and a surf life saver to check that the jellyfish he had caught was responsible for 'irukandji syndrome‘ • All three ended up in hospital • For Dr Barnes' dedication, the tiny jellyfish was later called Carukia barnesi

  28. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • In January 2002, a tourist swimming near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays died after being stung by a jellyfish • His death was reported by the press to have been caused by an irukandji • 58-year-old man had a pre-existing medical condition that made a jellyfish sting fatal • He had a valve replacement and was taking warfarin to thin his blood • After he was stung, his blood pressure increased which caused a brain hemorrhage leading to his death. 

  29. Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) • Treatment with narcotic iv and anti-emetics • Topical vinegar & shaving or scraping skin • Supportive iv fluids and electrolytes

  30. Chironex fleckeri 15 tentacles On each or 4 corners Up to 9 tentacles On each of 4 corners Does not cause Irukandji synd Chiropsalmus

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