Recurrent eruption following a solitary envenomation by the cnidarian Stomolophous meleagris.

The case history of a patient who developed a linear erythematous eruption on the ankle after envenomation by Stomolophous meleagris is described. This eruption subsided within 20 hr and recurred without subsequent envenomation 7 days later. The recurrent eruption was similar in morphology to the original lesion, but was accompanied by stiffness and edema. Examination of biopsied skin from the recurrent eruption showed a perivascular mononuclear cell dermal infiltrate. No abnormal deposits of immune globulins or complement were found in this specimen. The patient's serum contained antibodies to Stomolophous antigen and two other jellyfish. Two screening tests of lymphocyte function were negative upon exposure to Stomolophous antigen. This was the first reported case of recurrent local eruption to a single human envenomation by this coelenterate, which usually is regarded as relatively harmless to man.