Successful use of Chironex antivenom by members of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade

We report the first administration in Australia by ambulance officers of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories' Chironex fleckeri antivenom, in two separate, major, potentially life-threatening Chironex envenomations. In both cases, the antivenom was effective in helping to relieve signs and symp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMedical journal of Australia Vol. 151; no. 11-12; p. 708
Main Authors Fenner, P J, Williamson, J A, Blenkin, J A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Australia 04.12.1989
Subjects
Ambulatory Care
Animals
Antivenins - therapeutic use
Bites and Stings - therapy
Child
Cnidaria
Cnidarian Venoms
Humans
Male
Scyphozoa
Verapamil - therapeutic use
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Summary:We report the first administration in Australia by ambulance officers of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories' Chironex fleckeri antivenom, in two separate, major, potentially life-threatening Chironex envenomations. In both cases, the antivenom was effective in helping to relieve signs and symptoms (including pain). This antivenom still is the most specific part of the treatment of a major Chironex fleckeri sting after stabilization of the airway, breathing and circulation. The additional use of verapamil may contribute to the prevention of some of the cardiac complications that result from the direct effects of the Chironex venom.
ISSN:0025-729X
DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1989.tb139655.x