Catfish have the ability to inflict stings on their victims through spines located on their dorsal and pectoral fins. The stings of catfish can release toxins that have dermonecrotic, edemogenic, and vasospastic factors. In this case, a 56-year-old man suffered a catfish sting to his right thumb, which resulted in acute hand compartment syndrome and resultant hand fasciotomies. His hospital course was complicated by multiple irrigation and debridements, finger amputations, hand fluid cultures positive for Vibrio damsela, and eventual wrist disarticulation. The combination of envenomation, infection, and delayed presentation for treatment ultimately led to a hand amputation.
JunqueiraMEGrundLZOriiNM, et al. Analysis of the inflammatory reaction induced by the catfish (Cathorops spixii) venoms. Toxicon. 2007;49(7):909-919.
7.
ShiomiKTakamiyaMYamanakaH, et al. Hemolytic, lethal and edema-forming activities of the skin secretion from the oriental catfish (Plotosus lineatus). Toxicon. 1986;24(10):1015-1018.
8.
ChurchJEHodgsonWC.The pharmacological activity of fish venoms. Toxicon. 2002;40(8):1083-1093.
9.
AquinoGNSouzaCCHaddadVJ, et al. Injuries caused by the venomous catfish pintado and cachara (Pseudoplatystoma genus) in fishermen of the Pantanal region in Brazil. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2016;88(3):1531-1537.
10.
BarthóLSándorZBencsikT.Effects of the venom of the brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) on isolated smooth muscles. Acta Biol Hung. 2018;69(2):135-143.
11.
SarmientoBERangelMGonçalvesJC, et al. First report of the characterization of the pathophysiological mechanisms caused by the freshwater catfish Pimelodus maculatus (order: Siluriformes). Toxicon. 2015;101:55-62.
12.
RussellFE.Poisonous and venomous marine animals and their toxins. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1975;245:57-64.
13.
ShiomiKTakamiyaMYamanakaH, et al. Toxins in the skin secretion of the oriental catfish (Plotosus lineatus): immunological properties and immunocytochemical identification of producing cells. Toxicon. 1988;26(4):353-361.
14.
DorooshiG.Catfish stings: a report of two cases. J Res Med Sci. 2012;17(6):578-581.
15.
LeBlondL.Catfish bite case report. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019;30(3):291-294.
16.
CartyMJKutzRHFinleyRLJr, et al. Digital catfish envenomation mimicking necrotizing fasciitis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;126(5):226e-230e.
17.
HaddadVJrMartinsIA.Frequency and gravity of human envenomations caused by marine catfish (suborder siluroidei): a clinical and epidemiological study. Toxicon. 2006;47(8):838-843.
18.
CoffeyJAJrHarrisRLRutledgeML, et al. Vibrio damsela: another potentially virulent marine vibrio. J Infect Dis. 1986;153(4):800-802.
MurpheyDKSeptimusEJWaagnerDC.Catfish-related injury and infection: report of two cases and review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis. 1992;14(3):689-693.
