<Background>
Studies examined clinical characteristics of Jelly fish known as “Habu-Kurage” (Chironex yamaguchii) stings were limited to Australia, United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, and those in other area remains unknown.
Also, only a few case reports of Stonefish known as “Oni-daruma-okoze” envenomation have been reported in Japan.
The purpose of our study was to examine the clinical characteristics of jellyfish and stonefish stings in Japan, and also provide the clinical characteristics of patients.
<Method>
Retrospective questionnaire surveys from January 2013 to December 2017 to determine patient characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes.
<Results>
Over the 5-year study period, 204 jellyfish sting patients were identified . All patients recovered well including five patients of severe jellyfish stings. Antivenom was not administered.
In the same period, 15 stonefish sting patients were identified from four hospitals. Over 70% of stonefish envenomation occurred in the northern part of Okinawa Main Inland. All patients recovered well, including four patients with severe stonefish envenomation. In two severe cases, length of hospital admission was more than 1 week (8days, and 9days). Antivenom was not administered.
<Conclusions>
Approximately 40 cases of jellyfish stings were annually occurred in Japan, and they recovered well without administration of antivenom.
Fifteen cases of Stonefish stings during same period occurred in Japan, and they recovered well without administration of antivenom.
