ABSTRACT
Tick paralysis (TP) occurs worldwide and is caused by a neurotoxin secreted by engorged female ticks that affects the peripheral and central nervous system. The clinical manifestations range from mild or nonspecific symptoms to manifestations similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome, bulbar involvement, and death in 10% of the patients. The diagnosis of TP is clinical. To our knowledge, there are no formal reports of TP in humans in South America, although clusters of TP among hunting dogs in Argentina have been identified recently. In this paper, clinical features of two cases of TP occurring during 1994 in Jujuy Province, Argentina, are described.
A paralisia por carrapatos (PC) ocorre mundialmente e é causada por uma neurotoxina secretada por carrapatos fêmea engolidores de sangue que afeta o sistema nervoso periférico e central. As manifestações clínicas variam de suave ou sintomas não específicos a manifestações semelhantes à síndrome de Guillain-Barré, envolvimento de bulbar, e morte em 10% dos pacientes. O diagnóstico de PC é clínico. A nosso conhecimento, não há nenhum relatório formal em seres humanos na América do Sul, embora grupos de PC entre cães de caça na Argentina, tenham sido identificados recentemente. Neste artigo, descrevo dois casos de PC ocorridos durante o ano de 1994 na província de Jujuy, Argentina.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Tick Paralysis/diagnosis , ArgentinaABSTRACT
Tick paralysis (TP) is a rare disease with rapid progression and potential fatal evolution. Immediately after the diagnosis, removal of all ticks from the body of the patient is mandatory. The present study reports for the first time a human case of the disease in Brazil. The patient had loss of muscle strength, decreased reflexes and marked palpebral ptosis. Six hours after removal of the last tick, the ptosis improved and on the following day, the patient had near total regression of the symptoms. This report emphasizes the possible presence of similar cases that should be promptly diagnosed and quickly treated. A new induction pattern for TP in humans associated with immature stages of ticks is also presented.