Fatal Sea Snake Envenomation

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Toxicology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Sea snake envenomation is a significant risk for individuals working or recreating in marine environments.
• Laticauda colubrina, the black-banded sea snake, possesses potent neurotoxic venom.

Observation:

• A fisherman experienced rapid onset of ptosis, blurred vision, and respiratory distress following a bite from a black-banded sea snake.
• Autopsy revealed a small, inconspicuous puncture wound with no local reaction, but elevated creatine kinase and myoglobin levels.

Findings:

• The patient died from respiratory failure attributed to neurotoxic envenomation.
• Lethal sea snake envenomation can present with subtle, nonspecific pathological findings, complicating diagnosis.

Implications:

• Early recognition of sea snake envenomation is crucial, even with minimal bite evidence.
• Unexplained neurological symptoms like vision failure or paresis in marine-exposed individuals should prompt consideration of sea snake envenomation.