Menzies has been studying snakebite, jellyfish stings and other marine and terrestrial bites and stings for over 3 decades. This includes the Darwin Prospective Snakebite study which commenced in late 1989. There are also formal and informal collaborations with colleagues across Australia and internationally who study the animals, their venoms/toxins and the clinical effects on bitten/stung humans. Menzies also, with the NT Department of Health, provides advice to the public, such as the yearly “Stinger Season” warnings and treatment advice to medical and nursing colleagues for individual cases.

Chief Investigators:
Project dates:
The project commenced in 1989 and is ongoing
  • NHMRC
  • Prof Geoff Isbister - Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia

  1. Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Wijewickrama ES, Isbister GK. Snakebite associated thrombotic microangiopathy and recommendations for clinical practice. Toxins 2022;14:57. doi:10.3390/toxins14010057.

  2. Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Isoardi KZ, Brown SGA, Isbister GK. Snakebite associated thrombotic microangiopathy: an Australian prospective cohort study [ASP30]. Clin Toxicol 2022;60:205-213. doi:10.1080/15563650.2021.1948559

  3. Tiemensma M, Currie BJ, Byard RW. Fatal jellyfish envenoming – Pediatric and geographic vulnerabilities. J Forensic Sci 2021;66:2006-2009. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14753.

  4. Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Brown SG, Isbister GK. Schistocyte quantitation, thrombotic microangiopathy and acute kidney injury in Australian snakebite coagulopathy (ASP 28). Internat J Lab Hematol 2021;43:959-965. doi:10.1111/ijlh.13497.

  5. Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Lek RA, Isbister GK. Snakebite associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a systematic review of clinical features, outcomes, and evidence for interventions including plasmapheresis. PLoS NTD 2020:14(12): e0008936. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008936.

  6. Noutsos T, Currie BJ, Isbister GK. Snakebite associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a protocol for the systematic review of clinical features, outcomes and role of interventions. Systematic Reviews 2019;8:212. doi:10.1186/s13643-019-1133-2.

  7. Isbister GK, Palmer DJ, Wier RL, Currie BJ. Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating the pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised control trial. Med J Aust 2017;206:258-261. Response letter; Med J Aust 2017;207:362.

  8. Johnston CI, Brown SGA, O'Leary MA, Currie BJ, Greenberg R, Taylor M, Barnes C, White J, Isbister GK. Mulga snake (Pseudechis australis) envenoming: a spectrum of myotoxicity, anticoagulant coagulopathy, haemolysis and the role of early antivenom therapy - Australian Snakebite Project (ASP-19). Clinical Toxicology 2013;51:417-424.

  9. Johnston CI, O'Leary MA, Brown SGA, Currie BJ, Halkidis L, Whitaker R, Close BR, Isbister GK. Death adder envenoming causes neurotoxicity not reversed by antivenom - Australian Snakebite Project (ASP-16). PloS Negl Trop Dis 2012;6(9):e1841. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001841.

  10. Currie BJ, Canale E, Isbister GK. The effectiveness of pressure – immobilisation first aid for snakebite requires further study. Emerg Med Austral 2008;20:267-270.