Citation

Thalgaspitiya SPB, Wijerathne BTB, Siriwardhana NP. Wilderness Environ. Med. 2017; 28(3): 259-266.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (Drs Thalgaspitiya and Siriwardhana).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wem.2017.03.014

PMID

28754292

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Freshwater catfish are known to cause painful stings in humans. Stings usually cause mild envenomation and, in some instances, can lead to severe secondary bacterial infections. Sri Lanka is a tropical country where catfish stings are not rare. However, presenting signs and symptoms, complications, and management options are scarce in the literature.

METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing patient records in the university surgical units and surgical clinic in the teaching hospital in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, during 2015.

RESULTS: Ten patients presented to the hospital following catfish stings. The common presenting features following stings were severe pain, swelling, and lymphadenopathy followed by cellulitis. Late complication such as tenosynovitis were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Routine procedures are sufficient to reduce further complications. However, people who are at high risk of encountering catfish, and travelers visiting tropical countries, should be aware of the possibility of stings and take necessary precautions.

Copyright © 2017 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Heteropneustes fossilis; Sri Lanka; catfish