TITLE:
Kounis Syndrome Triggered by Jellyfish Sting in a 53-Year-Old Male: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Abdullah Al-Ghamdi
KEYWORDS:
Kounis Syndrome, Allergic Angina, Jellyfish Sting, Myocardial Injury, Anaphylaxis, Coronary Syndrome
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.14 No.12,
December
17,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Kounis syndrome is a typically life threatening but very rare clinical entity that is characterized by coronary artery vasospasm and myocardial damage in the setting of allergic reactions including those caused by environmental stimuli. While jellyfish stings are familiar with provoking local allergic reactions, systemic encroachment including Kounis syndrome is extremely rare. Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male, apparently healthy and a regular swimmer reported to clinic with hypotension, increased troponin levels, and mild transient chest pain, after a sting from a jellyfish while swimming. The patient had a previous reaction to a jellyfish sting but no history of CAD, coronary artery disease. The first steps in managing the case were providing corticosteroids to stabilize the patient as well as antiplatelet therapy administration. Coronary angiography done later did not show any significant coronary artery stenosis making it clear that the patient had Kounis syndrome, Type I where products of an allergic reaction were leading and not coronary artery disease. Conclusion: The present case demonstrates the occurrence of Kounis syndrome after envenomation by jellyfish, emphasizing the possibility of allergy in patients with cardiovascular and allergic complaints. If the condition is recognized at an early stage and there is proper administration of steroids and or antiplatelets then the results are good. More studies are required for understanding how Kounis syndrome occurs and instead of recurrent allergic reactions on heart.