POISONOUS

ANIMALS
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
OBJECTIVES 1. To identify different poisonous
animals including its poisonous part
and its management or antidote
2. To discuss the indications for
crotalid antivenin administration and
its complications
3. To determine the bioavailability
of venoms inside the body.
POISONOUS ANIMALS
Brown recluse spider Stone fish
Black widow spider Tiger keelback snake
Scorpion Death stalker scorpion
Bees & Wasps Box jellyfish
King cobra Sea Cucumber
Poison dart frogs Puffer fish
Spanish fly Blue-ringed octopus
Oyster California cone snail
Tuna Tick
COMMON NAME: Brown recluse spider
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Loxosceles reclusa
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Alkaline phosphatase,
hyaluronidase, 5-ribonucleotide
phosphohydrolase, esterase, and
sphingomyelinase D
POISONOUS PART: Venom
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
● - Reddened skin around the bite
● - A blister that forms at the bite site.
● - Mild to intense pain and itching for two
to eight hours after the bite.
● - An open sore (ulcer) and tissue death
(necrosis) that develops a week or more
after the bite. The sore may take months
to heal.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
Theres is no antidote; tx includes treating
the wound and preventing infection.
COMMON NAME: Black widow spider
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Latrodectus
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Latrotoxin
POISONOUS PART: Venom
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
● Symptoms usually progress from local pain and
diaphoresis to pain in regional muscle groups
and finally to the chest and abdomen. Severe
muscle cramping is most commonly reported in
the abdomen and may be severe enough to
mimic appendicitis, colic, or peritonitis. However,
patients commonly move to find positions of
comfort rather than lie still as is common with
peritonitis. Priapism has been reported in
children. Signs include a “target” lesion at the
bite site, hypersalivation, lacrimation,
conjunctivitis, diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia,
and hypertension. Latrodectus facies has been
described as spasm of facial muscles, edematous
eyelids, and lacrimation.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
D-tubocurarine chlorine.
COMMON NAME: Scorpion
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Scorpiones
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: neurotoxin, cardiotoxin,
nephrotoxin, hemolytic toxin,
phosphodiesterases, phospholipases,
hyaluronidases, glycosaminoglycans,
histamine, serotonin, tryptophan, and cytokine
releasers
POISONOUS PART: Venom
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
● Difficulty breathing.
● Muscle twitching or thrashing.
● Unusual head, neck and eye movements.
● Drooling.
● Sweating.
● Nausea and vomiting.
● High blood pressure (hypertension)
● Accelerated heart rate (tachycardia)
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
Antivenom
COMMON NAME: Bees & Wasps
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anthophila
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Venom
POISONOUS PART: Stings
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
● - difficulty breathing
● - wheezing
● - vomiting
● - nausea or diarrhea
● - feeling faint or dizzy
● - swollen face or mouth
● - problems swallowing
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
- Use a cold compress such as an ice-pack
or cold flannel.
- Take painkillers to soothe any pain.
- Take antihistamine tablets to reduce any
small localized swelling around the sting.
COMMON NAME: King cobra
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ophiophagus hannah
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Venom
POISONOUS PART: Hollow fangs in the
top jaw at the front of the mouth
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
•Hypotension with irregular peripheral pulses
•Generalized Shock
•Flushing of the face, warm skin
•Pain around bite site
•Nausea and Vomiting, abdominal pain
•Urticaria and Fever
•Drowsiness, eyelid drooping (Ptosis)
•Respiratory paralysis or Dyspnea (often severe
apnea with early onset)
•Ophthalmoplegia
•Palatal, glossopharyngeal & limb paralysis
•Convulsions
•Head drooping (Cervical muscle paresis or
paralysis)
•Hyporeflexia (generalized)
•Headache
•Sudden loss of consciousness
•Stumbling gait (Ataxia)
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
● -Antivenom Therapy
● -If breathing becomes impaired,
provide respiratory assistance.
Secretions may become copious,
necessitating suctioning or even
intubation.
● -If severe muscle or respiratory
paralysis develops and persists,
administer 0.6 mg of Atropine IV.
Follow by giving 0.5 mg of
Neostigmine IV every 30 minutes for a
maximum of FIVE doses.
● -If the bite site develops signs
suggestive of infection, Cultures and
Sensitivities should be obtained prior
to starting appropriate Antibiotic
therapy.
COMMON NAME: Poison dart frogs
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dendrobatidae
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Batrachotoxins
POISONOUS PART: Skin glands at the back
behind the head
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
- Convulsions
- Muscle contractions
- Salivation
- Respiratory paralysis
- Muscular paralysis.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
While there are currently no effective
treatments or antidotes for batrachotoxin
poisoning, certain anesthetics and antagonists
can be used to reverse membrane
depolarization. Tetrodotoxin can also be used
to treat batrachotoxin poisoning through
antagonistic effects on sodium flux.
COMMON NAME: Spanish fly
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lytta vesicatoria
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Cantharidin
POISONOUS PART: oral and from its joints
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
Irritation, blistering, bleeding and
discomfort. These effects can escalate to
erosion and bleeding of mucosa in each
system, sometimes followed by severe
gastro-intestinal bleeding and acute
tubular necrosis and glomerular
destruction, resulting in gastro-intestinal
and renal dysfunction, organ failure, and
death.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
There is no antidote for cantharidin, but
symptomatic treatment is recommended with
administration of fluids and maintenance of
serum electrolytes.
COMMON NAME: Oyster
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Crassostrea angulata
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: VENERUPIN
POISONOUS PART: Oyster Meat
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of poisoning by oysters can be
noticed even by an ordinary person,
without special knowledge and skills:
Severe and severe pain in the abdomen;
Emetic urges;
Swelling and spasm of the intestine;
Diarrhea;
Botulism;
Increased body temperature.
Poisoning by the seafood has its own
specifics. To the listed symptoms it is
possible to add cramps, infringement of
sensitivity of extremities.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
Often poisoning is accompanied by diarrhea or
vomiting. At their first appearance, you must not take
medicine to stop the urge, because the stomach needs
to be washed. After washing the stomach, Tserukal is
used in injections. Also, doctors prescribe Motilak. Single
dose is 10 mg (one tablet). With strong vomiting, two
tablets can be taken.
A reliable and quick way to remove toxins from the body
- activated carbon. It is taken depending on the body
weight with a calculation for every 10 kilograms of 1
tablet.
Enterosgel is used to restore the structure of the
mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Single dose - one
tablespoon. The paste should be washed down with
plenty of water. With a slight form of poisoning, Smecta
is taken. A packet three times a day.
The restoration of the functions of the intestines and
stomach is promoted by the vitamins of group A. They
help to normalize the process of gastric juice secretion.
In some cases, specialists prescribe physiotherapeutic
treatment.
COMMON NAME: Tuna
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Thunnini
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Histamine
POISONOUS PART: oral and from its joints
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The most common symptoms are tingling
and burning sensations around the
mouth, facial flushing, sweating, nausea,
vomiting, headache, palpitations,
dizziness, and rash.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
Treatment involves antihistamines and
supportive care
COMMON NAME: Stone fish
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Synanceia horrida
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: verrucotoxin, glycoprotein,
hyaluronidase, arginine, proteinase and
phosphodiesterase
POISONOUS PART: dorsal fin spines
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The injury caused by a S. horrida it causes intense
pain and great swelling of the area where the fish
introduced the thorn with the poison. If not
treated in time, the body's reaction to the toxic
substance can cause shock, paralysis and even
death.The sting produces a sharp and intense
pain, which is located from the pelvic limbs
towards the abdominal region and from the
arms towards the head and neck. As for the initial
symptoms, they are pain and edema in the place
where the thorn penetrated.In addition,
dizziness, headache, muscle weakness, dyspnea,
nausea, hypertension, and tissue necrosis occur.
Shortly after the event, fever, joint pain and
bacterial infection in the wound may appear, as a
result of not having been treated in a timely and
correct manner.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
When a bite occurs S. horrida, the most
important thing is to go quickly to the
nearest healthcare center. However, while the
person is going to the hospital, some first aid
actions can be taken.
-applying a loosely fitting tourniquet a few
inches above the wound, then the area
should be washed with clean, fresh water. An
important recommendation is that the
puncture area is soaked or soaked in water as
hot as possible, for 30 to 90 minutes.
-vinegar can also be used to lessen and
relieve the pain and gain time before getting
medical help.
-the antivenom for the stonefish sting is an
equine IgG Fab preparation that neutralizes
the inflammatory and cardiovascular effects
induced by the marine creature.
COMMON NAME: Tiger keelback snake
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rhabdophis tigrinus
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Duvernoy's glands and
nuchal glands
POISONOUS PART: Fangs, maxilla and the
dorsal skin of the neck.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The venom evolved by tiger keelbacks
causes internal bleeding and prevents the
blood from coagulating. Symptoms
include continuous bleeding from the bite
wound, bleeding from the gums, blood in
the urine and bleeding from the wound
into the surrounding tissues. Tiger snake
venom causes generally minor local
effects at the snakebite site, such as mild
swelling, bruising and pain and does not
contain necrotoxins, though local tissue
necrosis does occasionally occur.
MANAGEMENT/ANTIDOTE:
About 60% of tiger snake bites result in
significant envenoming, requiring
antivenom therapy, and envenoming is
often severe and potentially lethal. It is
therefore essential all cases be managed
as an emergency, requiring rapid
application of first aid and urgent
medical assessment.
For those cases with systemic
envenoming, which may develop in less
than 15 minutes after the bite, antivenom
therapy is the principle treatment. In
most such cases 3-4+ vials of CSL Tiger
Snake Antivenom will be required
intravenously to reverse the severe
coagulopathy (bleeding disorder) and
prevent progression of paralysis and
muscle damage.
COMMON NAME: Death stalker scorpion
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Leiurus quinquestriatus
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Scyllatoxin, Chlorotoxin,
Charybdotoxin, Agitoxins
POISONOUS PART: Scorpions strike
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The death stalker’s sting is known to be
extremely painful, and once the venom
penetrates human skin, it can nausea,
vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and abdominal
cramps, as well as visible swelling at the sting
site. More vulnerable victims, children and the
elderly, may also experience convulsions and
fluid retention in the lungs. For such persons,
death can come by means of heart and
respiratory collapse.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
1. Envenomation by a deathstalker is a medical
emergency. Call the emergency number in the
country you are in immediately.
2. In the United States, there is no FDA
approved antivenom for a deathstalker sting. In
geographic areas where the deathstalker is
prevalent it is obtainable but large doses of
antivenom are necessary to combat the
venom’s effects.
3. For faster treatment to the patient, the name
of the scorpion or its description should be
given to the attending physician if possible so
they will know how best to treat the patient.
4. Clean the sting area. Carefully wash and
clean the area with soap and water.
5. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a washcloth or
other covering for 10 minutes and repeat as
necessary.
6. Apply CPR if necessary.
COMMON NAME: Box jellyfish
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cubozoa
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Have stinging cells called
“nematocysts” that contains venom
POISONOUS PART: Stinging cells present in
their tentacles
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- muscle cramps
- skin blistering
- numbness or tingling
- difficulty swallowing
- worsening redness, rash or pain get
infected
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
- If you are stung at the beach or in the ocean,
pour sea water onto the part of your body that
was stung. Do not use fresh water.
- Use tweezers to remove any tentacles you see
in your skin.
- Next, apply vinegar or rubbing alcohol to the
affected area to stop the burning feeling and the
release of the toxin.
- After you have poured vinegar on the site, apply
shaving cream or a mixture of baking soda and
sea water. When this is dry, scrape the mixture
off with a credit card.
- To help reduce the pain, apply calamine lotion
or hydrocortisone cream. You can also use an ice
pack or hot water to help with the pain and
swelling. The doctor may treat more serious
jellyfish stings with medications to relieve pain,
neutralize the venom’s effects (antivenin) and
reduce the itching and rash (antihistamine).
COMMON NAME: Sea Cucumber
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Holothuroidea
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Holothurinogenins
POISONOUS PART: Cuvierian tubules and their
skin/body surface
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
•Skin Contact:
•Burning pain
•Redness
•Violent inflammatory reaction
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
•Rinse affected area with seawater; freshwater
can increase pain.
•However, if the eyes are exposed to toxin, rinse
them with 1-2 gallons of freshwater or saline
immediately.
•Immerse the affected skin in water as hot as is
tolerable for 30-90 minutes, and repeat as
needed to reduce pain.
•Don't rub or apply ice to the area.
•Apply acetic acid (vinegar) or isopropyl alcohol to
the area.
- No antidote exists for sea cucumber toxin.
COMMON NAME: Puffer fish
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tetraodontidae
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: Tetrodotoxin
POISONOUS PART: Skin and liver contains
tetrodotoxin
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
- Symptoms generally occur 10-45 minutes after
eating the pufferfish poison and begin with
numbness and tingling around the mouth,
salivation, nausea, and vomiting.
- Symptoms may progress to paralysis, loss of
consciousness, and respiratory failure, and can
lead to death.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
- There is no specific treatment for tetrodotoxin
poisoning and the management of puffer-fish
poisoning is largely supportive. Removal of
unabsorbed toxin may be attempted by induced
vomiting or gastric lavage; as tetrodotoxin is less
stable in an alkaline environment, instillation of
2% sodium bicarbonate has been suggested.
Cysteine has also been claimed to be effective in
individual cases of puffer-fish poisoning.
COMMON NAME: Blue-ringed octopus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hapalochlaena sp.
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: neurotoxin tetrodotoxin
POISONOUS PART: octopi's salivary glands produce
the venom
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
A bite leaves a tiny mark and may be painless, so
it's possible to be unaware of the danger until
respiratory distress and paralysis occur. Other
symptoms include nausea, blindness, and heart
failure, but death (if it occurs) usually results from
paralysis of the diaphragm.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
There is no antivenom for a blue-octopus bite,
but tetrodotoxin is metabolized and excreted
within a few hours.
First aid treatment consists of applying pressure
to the wound to slow the effects of the venom
and artificial respiration once the victim stops
breathing, which usually occurs within minutes
of the bite. If artificial respiration is started
immediately and continued until the toxin wears
off, most victims recover.
COMMON NAME: California cone snail
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Californiconus californicus
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: conotoxin
POISONOUS PART: needle-like modified radula tooth
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
The initial symptoms of envenomation vary
depending on the species of cone snail and the
victim. When stung by a piscivorous cone snail,
one may feel anything from a sharp pricking
sensation to unbearable pain. At the
envenomation site, local numbness, ischemia,
cyanosis, and necrosis may occur and sometimes
involves entire regions of the body. Given that the
affected neurotransmitter pathways exist
throughout the body, systemic symptoms may
develop. This progress from initial weakness,
sweating, and visual changes to generalized
muscle paralysis, respiratory failure,
cardiovascular collapse, and coma. If a patient is
untreated, death is rapid and often occurs within
one to five hours.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
No antidote exists for a cone snail sting,
which contains a mixture of nerve agents.
Use the pressure immobilization
technique:
Use an elastic bandage (similar to ACE
bandage) to wrap the limb starting at the distal
end (fingers or toes) and wrap toward the body.
It should be tight but the fingers and toes
should remain pink so that the circulation is
not cut off.
The extremity should also be immobilized
with a splint or stick of some sort to prevent it
from bending at the joints.
The elastic bandage should be removed
for 90 seconds every 10 minutes and then
reapplied for the first 4 to 6 hours. (Hopefully
medical care can be received within this time
period.)
Other treatment options that may help include:
Immerse the affected area in water as hot as is tolerable
(water temperature not to exceed 140 F or 60 C).
Inject a local anesthetic into the wound area.
Some reports suggest that
Edrophonium (Enlon, Tensilon) 10 mg IV may be used as
therapy for paralysis. A 2-mg test-dose should first be
administered IV, and if effective, followed by an additional
8-mg dose IV. Atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine) 0.6 mg should
be immediately available for intravenous administration in
case of an adverse reaction to edrophonium.
A 2 to 4 mg dose naloxone (Narcan) given IV may help treat
severe hypotension (low blood pressure).
Local excision (cutting out the area stung) by a health care
professional (controversial and not widely recommended)
Incision and suction (controversial and not widely
recommended)
Avoid excessive movement and keep the patient calm and
warm.
CPR may be necessary. Artificial respiration may save the
person's life.
Do not cut into the wound, apply suction, or use a
tourniquet.
COMMON NAME: Tick
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ixodes holocyclus
TOXIC SUBSTANCE: holocyclotoxins
POISONOUS PART: Saliva
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A person with tick paralysis feels weak and fatigued.
Some people become restless, weak, and irritable.
After a few days, a progressive paralysis develops,
usually moving up from the legs. The muscles that
control breathing also may become paralyzed.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
Tick removal should be done as soon as possible.
Removal is best accomplished by grasping the tick
with curved tweezers as close to the skin as possible
and pulling it directly out. The tick’s head, which
may not come out with the body, should be
removed, because it can cause prolonged
inflammation. Most of the folk methods of
removing a tick, such as applying alcohol, fingernail
polish, or petroleum jelly or using a hot match, are
ineffective and may cause skin damage or cause
the tick to expel infected saliva into the bite site.
MANAGEMENT/ ANTIDOTE:
After the tick is removed, an antiseptic should be
applied. If swelling and discoloration are present,
an oral antihistamine may be helpful. If the tick
appears to have been attached for an extended
period (the tick is very swollen) or Lyme disease is
prevalent in the area, doctors may give an
antibiotic to help prevent Lyme disease.
If a tick bite, such a pajaroello tick bite, causes
significant skin damage, the doctor extensively
cleans and removes any dead skin from the
wound. The doctor may apply corticosteroids and
antiseptics to the area to prevent further skin
damage and infection.
QUESTIONS
1. What are the
indications for
crotalid antivenin Indications for crotalid antivenom use include
administration? progression of local tissue findings and/or
evidence of systemic toxicity (eg, hematotoxicity,
What are the airway swelling, cardiovascular collapse).
complications of Complications from antivenom can include rash,
itching, wheezing, rapid heart rate, fever, and
antivenin body aches. The use of antivenom depends on
administration? how much poison was injected (envenomation)
and the type and size of the snake. Large snakes
tend to inject more venom than smaller snakes
do.
2. How does biting differ from stinging insects? How
are you going to counteract the effects produced by
them?

A bite is when an insect (like a mosquito, flea,

or bedbug) uses its mouth to break a person's
skin, usually so it can feed. Insect bites usually
itch. A sting is when an insect uses another
body part, such as a barbed stinger at its tail
end, to pierce the skin and inject venom (like a
poison). To counteract the effects, you need to:
 Apply a cool compress.
Use a cloth dampened
with cold water or filled
with ice. This helps Take an
reduce pain and swelling. antihistamine to
If the injury is on an arm reduce itching.
or leg, elevate it.

Apply 0.5 or 1 percent

Wash the area with hydrocortisone cream,
soap and water. calamine lotion or a
baking soda paste to the
bite or sting several
times daily until your
symptoms go away.
 3. How are antivenoms produced? What are
the compositions of the Antivenoms? Give
examples of antivenom available local.

Antivenom is traditionally made by collecting venom from

the relevant animal and injecting small amounts of it into a
domestic animal. The antibodies that form are then
collected from the domestic animal's blood and purified.
Compositions of the antivenom can be classified as whole
IgG, or fragments of IgG. Whole antibody products consist
of the entire antibody molecule, often immunoglobulin G
(IgG), whereas antibody fragments are derived by digesting
the whole IgG into Fab (monomeric binding) or F(ab')2
(dimeric binding). Purified cobra antivenom (PCAV) is the
only antivenom available in the country, but its
neutralization capacity against the venoms of N.
 The bioavailability of a
venom is determined by its
composition, molecular
size, amount or
concentration gradient,
solubility, degree of
ionization, and the rate of
blood flow into that tissue
as well as the properties of
4. How will you the engulfing surface itself.
determine the
bioavailability of
venom inside the
body?
 Leyte: 3 dead from Puffer Fish Poisoning
CNN Philippines

Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, December 29) —Three residents in Tabango, Leyte died due to food
poisoning after eating puffer fish, locally known as “butete.”

The victims are residents of Sitio Patay, Brgy. Tabing, Tabango, according to a report from the Tabango

5. Cite at least 2
Municipal Police Station.

Four other individuals they ate with were also hospitalized due to food poisoning. Initial police investigation

case of poisoning
showed one of those who died cooked puffer fish on Monday and offered it for free to customers of his
barbeque stand business. They reportedly ate the liver and experienced extreme vomiting and loss of
consciousness. They were brought at the Tabango District Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.

from animals. Meanwhile, the four other hospitalized victims also suffered symptoms. One of them has already recovered
and is now home, while three are still in the hospital but are in stable condition.

Attached article The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has warned that several puffer fish species contain a highly
lethal neurotoxin called “tetrodotoxin.” Ingestion of this substance “can rapidly cause malaise, dizziness, and
tingling about the mouth, which may be followed by ataxia, convulsions, respiratory paralysis, and death.”

and make The bureau said the toxin is usually found in the internal organs of the fish. The ovary and liver are most
dangerous, but other parts are also toxic in many puffer fish species, while some have toxin even in skin,

synthesis. blood and bones, it added.

Pufferfish (Lagocephalus scleratus) is used as a delicacy but the tetrodotoxin found
in the fish is more toxic than cyanide that it becomes a lethal source of food
poisoning with high mortality. It requires rigorous training and should take an
in-depth exam to be legally allowed to prepare the poisonous pufferfish. The article
showed that the resident of Tabango, Leyte were offered cooked puffer fish for free
and consumed liver, resulting in severe symptoms of vomiting, loss of
consciousness, and unexpected death.
According to Jonathan Field, pufferfish contains tetrodotoxin which can cause
death by muscular paralysis, respiratory depression, and circulatory failure.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocks sodium channels through which sodium ions flow during
the rising phase of the action potential. It binds to receptors close to the
extracellular surface, quite different from local anesthetics which bind to receptors
near the inner end of the channel. There is currently no effective antidote. The
treatment is entirely respiratory support and supportive care until the tetrodotoxin
is excreted in the urine. Activated charcoal and/or gastric lavage can be done if the
patient presents within 60 minutes of ingestion (Kotipoyina et. al. 2021).

SYNTHESIS
 2 kids die, father in critical condition after eating ‘kuret’ crab in Cagayan
INQUIRER

TUGUEGARAO CITY — Two children died on Friday (Feb. 12), while their father is in critical
condition after allegedly consuming “kuret,” a type of coral reef crab, in the Cagayan town of
Santa Ana, local authorities said on Saturday (Feb. 13).
5. Cite at least 2 Doctors were unable to save five-year-old Reign Clark Cuabo and his two-year-old sibling

case of poisoning
Macniel Craigs.

Tangatan village chief Isabelo Cariño said the children’s father, Eugenio Cuabo Sr., gathered

from animals. the crabs which the six-member family had for a meal. Shortly after eating, the children
complained suffering a wave of numbness and were taken to the hospital but they did not
survive treatment. Eugenio remains under critical care. The village chief described the Cuabo

Attached article family as indigent. But other residents have eaten “kuret” before, Cariño said.

He, however, said a food poisoning case occurred in 1980 involving the same type of crab. The
and make Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources took samples of the crab eaten by the family for
laboratory tests. Mayor Nelson Robinion said the local government has allocated P30,000 for

synthesis.
the burial expenses of the dead children and medical assistance to their father.
 Kuret Crab is a toxic reef crab also referred to as Devil crab (Zosimus aeneus).
Toxic crabs are dangerous, containing toxins that are similar to those of the
pufferfish, called tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX), two of the most lethal
substances found in nature (Ocean Portal). The article showed that the residents of
Santa Ana, Cagayan usually eat Kuret crab however, both siblings were unable to
resist the poison causing critical symptoms such as numbness and further death,
unlike their fathers’ condition. In rural areas, it is hard to get much about this
information as some become part of their tradition and also a source of food for
their family.
According to Hurley et. al, the clinical signs of these poisoning may include
neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and respiratory distress. Although
the chemical structures of tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin are different, both toxins
exert the same effects through an interaction with voltage-gated sodium channels
where it blocks conductance resulting in inhibition of neuromuscular transmission.
There is currently no effective antidote. The treatment is entirely respiratory support
and supportive care until the tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin are excreted in the urine.

SYNTHESIS
CONCLUSION
This activity listed some of the poisonous animals, their common and scientific
names, their toxic substances and parts which are poisonous. Poisonous animals are
widely distributed throughout the animal kingdom; the only major group that
seems to be exempt is the birds. Animal poisons, termed as zootoxins, can be divided
into several categories: (1) oral poisons—those that are poisonous when eaten; (2)
parenteral poisons, or venoms—those that are produced by a specialized poison
gland and administered by means of a venom apparatus; and (3) crinotoxins—those
that are produced by a specialized poison gland but are merely released into the
environment, usually by means of a pore.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning of a particular animal was also discussed, and
their proper management/treatment, and antidote, if there is present. Most of the
treatments do not contain any antidote or antivenom, and consists on supportive
care or removal of the animal of the substance causing the illness.
REFERENCES
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17821-jellyfish-stings#:~:text=Many%20jell
yfish%20have%20stinging%20cells,that%20helps%20jellyfish%20protect%20themselves.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/box-jellyfish
https://www.vapaguide.info/catalogue/ANI-103
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_sea_cucumber_irritation/symptom.htm
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_pufferfish_poisoning/article_em.htm
https://emj.bmj.com/content/emermed/12/3/214.full.pdf
https://warbletoncouncil.org/pez-piedra-15007
https://www.desertusa.com/stories/venomous-desert-dwellers/deathstalker-scorpion/
http://www.toxinology.com/about/tiger_snake_snakebite.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25240304/
REFERENCES
Cable News Network (2020, December 29). 3 dead after eating puffer fish in Tabango town.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/12/29/three-dead-food-poisoning-puffer-fish-tabango.html
Jonathan Field (1998, June 4). Puffer fish poisoning.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1343179/pdf/jaccidem00026-0044.pdf
Kotipoyina H. R., Kong E. L., & Warrington S. J. (2021, August 11). Tetrodotoxin Toxicity.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507714/#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20known%20antidote,wit
hin%2060%20minutes%20of%20ingestion.
Visaya V. J. (2021, February 13). 2 kids die, father in critical condition after eating ‘kuret’ crab in
Cagayan. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1395363/two-kids-die-father-in-critical-condition-after-
eating-kuret-crab-in-cagayan
Ocean Portal. (2022, March 13). Toxic.
https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/toxic#:~:text=The%20toxic%20reef%20crab
%20(also,them%20on%20the%20dinner%20plate.
Hurley W., Wolterstorff C., MacDonald R., & Schultz D. (2014, July).
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning: A Case Series.
doi: 10.5811/westjem.2014.4.16279
 MOXIN, MUVINAH SACRO, JONABELLE
OUR TEAM

MUNAR, MARIAN SALINAS, BLESSIEL

JANICA MAE

OSANO, YSOBELLE TALAMBONGAN,

MAJEDDAH

PILLO, QUIENCY WAHANI, ALHAIDA

JANE