Medical Emergencies Caused by Aquatic Animals : A Zoological and Clinical Guide

The present book is intended as a reference guide for emergency and ambulatory care medicine, providing essential information on the most important problems and incidents caused by venomous, poisoning and traumatic marine and freshwater animals. Indeed, though emergencies caused by aquatic animals are becoming increasingly common, there are few reference books devoted to providing medical guidance on them. The book includes a wealth of original images of injuries caused by aquatic animals, while the text covers the current state knowledge on the subject, including the identification of the animals, the clinical aspects of the envenomation/poisonings/injuries, first aid and emergency care, main treatment alternatives and a typical case representing each group of animals. Chapters are organized according to zoological groups: Marine and Freshwater Invertebrates (Porifera, Cnidarians, Annelida, Mollusks, Echinodermata) and Marine and Freshwater Vertebrates (Fish and Reptiles). **__Medical Emergencies Caused By Aquatic Animals: A Zoological and Clinical Guide__** is intended for students and professionals in Medicine (Dermatology, Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Emergency Medicine) and the Biological Sciences (Zoology and Ecology), as well as to practicing professionals working in coastal or freshwater areas. Dedication 6 Foreword 8 Acknowledgements 10 Contents 12 1: Introduction 14 2: Invertebrate Aquatic Animals 18 2.1 Phylum Porifera (Marine and Freshwater Sponges) 18 2.2 Phylum Cnidaria (Jellyfish, Portuguese Man-of-War, Corals, and Anemones) 20 2.3 Phylum Echinodermata (Sea Urchins, Starfish, and Sea Cucumbers) 34 2.4 Phylum Annelida (Leeches and Polychaetes) 38 2.5 Phylum Mollusca (Octopuses and Conus Snails) 40 2.6 Phylum Arthropoda, Subphylum Crustacea (Blue Crabs, Crabs, Shrimps, Prawns, Barnacles, Lobsters, and Mantis Shrimp) 43 2.7 Phylum Arthropoda, Subphylum Insecta (Giant Water Bugs) 45 References 46 3: Injuries by Vertebrate Aquatic Animals: Phylum Chordata (Fish, Reptiles, and Mammals) 48 3.1 Class Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) 48 3.1.1 Marine Stingrays 48 3.1.2 Freshwater Stingrays 52 3.1.3 Sharks 57 3.2 Class Osteichthyes: Bony Fish 60 3.2.1 Catfish: Siluriformes Order—Ariidae, Plotosidae, Ictaluridae, and Pimelodidae Families 60 3.2.2 Scorpionfish, Lionfish, and Stonefish: Scorpaenidae and Synanceiidae Families 67 3.2.3 Toadfish: Batrachoididae Family 74 3.2.4 Surgeonfish: Acanthuridae Family 75 3.2.5 Moray Eels: Muraenidae Family 76 3.2.6 Weeverfish: Trachinidae Family 77 3.2.7 Other Venomous Fish 78 3.2.8 Traumatogenic Fish 78 3.2.8.1 Marine Fish 78 3.2.8.2 Freshwater Fish 80 3.3 Alligators, Crocodiles, and Snakes 89 3.4 Mammals 95 3.5 Treatment of Trauma and Envenomation by Fish 96 References 97 4: Ingestion of Aquatic Venomous Animals: Toxinology, Clinical Aspects, and Treatment 99 4.1 Envenomations by Pufferfish: Tetrodotoxin 99 4.2 Ciguatoxins: Ciguatera 102 4.3 Paralysis by Seafood (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) and Red Tide: Saxitoxin and Gonyautoxins 105 4.4 Brevetoxins: Neurotoxicity by Seafood 105 4.5 Amnesia by Toxins in Seafood: Domoic Acid 106 4.6 Diarrhea by Seafood: Okadaic Acid 106 4.7 Poisoning After Consumption of Octopus 107 4.8 Scombroidosis 108 4.9 Clupeotoxicity 109 4.10 Poisonous Sharks 109 4.11 Poisoning by Other Fish 109 4.12 Minamata Disease: Mercury Poisoning 110 4.13 Poisoning by Marine Turtles 110 4.14 Haff Disease 111 References 112 Additional References 113 5: Bacterial and Fungal Infections in Aquatic Environments 114 5.1 Treatment 116 References 117 Index 118 Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-4 Invertebrate Aquatic Animals....Pages 5-34 Injuries by Vertebrate Aquatic Animals: Phylum Chordata (Fish, Reptiles, and Mammals)....Pages 35-85 Ingestion of Aquatic Venomous Animals: Toxinology, Clinical Aspects, and Treatment....Pages 87-101 Bacterial and Fungal Infections in Aquatic Environments....Pages 103-106 Back Matter....Pages 107-112