Tick paralysis
Revision as of 11:00, 8 December 2014 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)
Background
- Caused by neurotoxin produced by certain ticks in the US and Australia
- Most cases reported in children
Clinical Features
- Symptoms begin 2-6d after attachment of tick
- Ataxia -> symmetric ascending flaccid paralysis w/ loss of DTRs
- Presentation can be identical to Guillain-Barre including progression to resp paralysis
- Unlike GBS, may have ocular signs (e.g. fixed and dilated pupils)
Diagnosis
- Sensory abnormalities and elevation of CSF protein level do not occur
- Progression and resolution of sx (w/ tick removal) is faster than in Guillain-Barre
Differential Diagnosis
Tick Borne Illnesses
- Babesiosis
- Colorado tick fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Heartland virus
- Lyme
- Murine typhus
- Rocky mountain spotted fever
- Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)
- Tick paralysis
- Tularemia
Treatment
- Remove tick as quickly as possible with tweezers
- Supportive care (resolves on its own)
Source
- Tintinalli