The toxins are mostly made up of 5-nucleotidase and phosphodiesterase which are cytotoxins (they kill cells/tissue) and result in local necrosis (tissue death). This can lead to secondary bacterial infection and severe wounds may take months to heal. Stingray toxin also contains serotonin, which causes severe localized pain lasting up to 48 hours.Technorati Tags: stingrays, steve irwin, pathophysiology
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Dr. Rangel Reviews Stingray Attacks
Via RangelMD.com:
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If anyone else is/was curious about the species of stingray (there are about 200) that killed Steve Irwin:
A few media reports list the stingray species involved
in Steve Irwin’s death as a “bull ray.” Although confirmation is
needed, this would suggest that the species was the Australian bull ray
or southern eagle ray, Myliobatis australis. This species is common in
Australian waters and also occurs off New Zealand. It can grow to 150
cm (~5 ft) in width and 250 cm (~8 ft) in total length.
Jim Gelsleichter, PhD
Mote Marine Laboratory
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