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Conjunctival Attachment of a Live Paralysis Tick, Ixodes holocyclus, in a Child: A Case Report
Joanne M Y Teong1, Paul A Adler1, Stephen L Doggett2
1Parke Street Specialist Centre, Katoomba, N.S.W., Westmead Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
Insights
A rare case of conjunctival tick attachment in a child involved a 10-year-old boy with an itchy eye. The paralysis tick larva was successfully removed via conjunctival excision, preventing further complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Parasitology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Conjunctival foreign bodies are uncommon, and tick attachment presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
- Tick-borne illnesses and allergic reactions are potential complications of tick exposure.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old boy presented with a chief complaint of right-eye itchiness.
- A live larval tick, identified as Ixodes holocyclus (paralysis tick), was observed attached to the right temporal conjunctiva.
Findings:
- The tick was completely removed through a conjunctival excision procedure.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of the tick's mouthparts.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering tick attachment in pediatric eye complaints, especially in endemic areas.
- Prompt and complete tick removal is crucial to prevent pathogen transmission, allergic reactions, and local tissue damage.
Abstract:
We describe a rare clinical finding of conjunctival tick attachment in a child. A 10-year-old boy presented to the clinic with right-eye itch. He was found to have a live tick firmly attached to his right temporal conjunctiva. The tick was identified as the larval stage of the paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus. The tick was removed completely by conjunctival excision. Although various methods of removing a tick have been described in the literature, the goal of treatment is the safe and complete removal of the tick to prevent further transmission of pathogens, allergens, and toxins to the patient.
