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Prospective study of centipede bites in Australia
Corrine R Balit1, Mark S Harvey, Julianne M Waldock
1NSW Poisons Information Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia. Corrinebalit@aol.com
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|April 16, 2004
Summary
Australian centipede bites typically cause localized pain, redness, and swelling. Hot water immersion may offer relief for these minor, yet painful, encounters with centipedes.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Arthropod-borne diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Limited expert-identified centipede bites hinder attributing specific clinical effects to species.
- Understanding centipede envenomation is crucial for effective clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the clinical manifestations of centipede bites in Australia.
- To identify specific centipede genera responsible for envenomation.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of centipede exposure calls to a poison information center (2000-2002).
- Data collection included demographics, exposure details, clinical effects, and treatments.
- Expert identification of collected centipedes (genera: Scolopendra, Cormocephalus, Ethmostigmus).
Main Results:
- 44 definite centipede bites were analyzed; 14 had expert-identified centipedes.
- Common effects included severe pain (50%), erythema (53%), and swelling (43%), primarily on extremities.
- Bites from Ethmostigmus spp. and Scolopendra spp. were associated with more severe effects; no systemic effects reported.
Conclusions:
- Australian centipede bites result in localized effects, notably moderate to severe pain, swelling, and erythema.
- Genera Ethmostigmus and Scolopendra appear to cause more significant reactions.
- Hot water immersion showed potential benefit; findings may apply globally due to worldwide distribution of Scolopendra.