A Dangerous Octopus Fishing: Kounis Syndrome Following an Octopus Bite

By Riccardo Scagliola, Gianluca Secchi, Claudio Brunelli

Affiliations

1. Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genova, Genova, Italy

doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2020.06.675

Sir,

Kounis syndrome is defined as the concurrence of acute coronary syndromes in the setting of hypersensitivity reactions. In this context, the heart plays a pivotal role, acting as both the source and the target of inflammatory mediators, which actively contribute to atherosclerotic plaque destabilisa-tion.^1,2

A 67-year man complained about flushing, vomiting and diarrhea, with conjunctivitis and a diffuse urticarial rash almost 30 minutes after being bitten by an octopus (Eledone spp.) (Figure 1A), during underwater fishing. At hospital admission, he experienced acute-onset wheezing with oppressive, retrosternal chest pain. His blood pressure was 90/60 mmHg. Bronchospasm was noticed, and an erythematous cutaneous torn wound with edematous edges was detected on the right calf, at the site of the octopus bite (Figure 1B). A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed ST-elevation in the inferior leads, extended to the lateral precordial leads V₅-V₆, with reciprocal ST-depression in leads I, aVL and V₁-V₃ (Figure 1C). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mild reduced systolic function, with inferolateral wall hypokinesis. Intravenous hydrocortisone, intramuscular chlorphenamine and fluid resuscitation were administered, with a partial clinical benefit. Then, the patient underwent emergency coronary angiography, which showed a 95% stenosis in the proximal tract of the right coronary artery (Figure 1D), that was treated by positioning a drug-eluting stent. After cardiologic discharge, further diagnostic investigations ruled out carcinoid syndrome and systemic mastocytosis.

Mast cells are the target effectors of hypersensitivity reactions, by triggering the release of systemic mediators.³ Cardiac mast cells are widely distributed in human heart, mainly around the adventitia of epicardial coronary arteries, as well as in close contact with small intramural coronary vessels. Uniquely, they can be directly activated both by allergenic and nonallergenic triggers, including anaphylatoxins, C3a and C5a and substance P.^2,4 As previously reported by Kounis et al.¹, several foods, drugs and environmental exposures are known as potential inducers of mastocyte activation.

Eledoisin was the first tachykinin sequenced from the posterior salivary gland of the Mediterranean octopus Eledone moschata, while other tachykinin-related peptides were isolated from the Octopus vulgaris and other nonmammalian species.⁵ They have been shown to exhibit a wide substance P-like physiologic spectrum, including local vasodilatation and altered vascular permeability; extravascular smooth muscle cells activation and triggering of inflammatory response.^4,5

Figure 1: A: Octopus, Eledone spp. B: Erythematous cutaneous wound torn with edematous edges, at the site of the bite. C: Twelve-lead electrocardiogram at hospital admission. D: Coronary angiography showing a subocclusive lesion in the proximal tract of right coronary artery (asterisk).

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of Kounis syndrome triggered by an octopus bite. Clinicians should be aware to actively look for cardiac involvement whenever a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected. 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
Authors declared no conflict of interest.

AUTHORS' CONTRIBUTION:
RS: Conception and design, acquisition of data, drafting of manuscript and critical review.
GS: Conception and design, acquisition of data, critical review.
CB: Acquisition of data, critical review, supervision.

REFERENCES

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