1/3. Introduction of the exotic tick Amblyomma hebraeum into florida on a human host.A resident of florida returned from a short visit to southern africa to find a male Amblyomma hebraeum tick attached to the skin behind her knee. Amblyomma hebraeum is a major vector of 2 pathogens that cause important diseases in southern africa, heartwater of ruminants and African tick-bite fever of humans. The tick was tested by polymerase chain reaction assay for evidence of infection with Cowdria ruminantium and rickettsia africae (the causative agents of heart-water and African tick-bite fever, respectively) and was found to be negative for both agents. This is the second record of the exotic tick, A. hebraeum, being introduced into the united states on a human host.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = lyme (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Tick inoculation in an eyelid region: report on five cases with one complication of the orbital myositis associated with Lyme borreliosis.PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and dependence of Lyme borreliosis after tick infestation in the eyelid region. MATERIAL AND methods: Five patients after tick inoculation were investigated by immunofluorescence assays for IgM and IgG system). Ophthalmologic evaluation of myositis was supported with MRI, laboratory, and internal clinical investigations. RESULTS: Four children showed negative Borrelia serology after a bite from a tick. In one case the left abducens nerve palsy was found, which was diagnosed in MRI as a thickened left lateral rectus muscle. The diagnosis of myositis with positive borrelia burgdorferi serology was consistent with Lyme borreliosis. Other laboratory examinations were negative. The symptoms were reduced after treatment with ceftriaxon. CONCLUSIONS: Lyme borreliosis was found in one in five patients after tick infestation in the eyelid region. antibiotic prophylaxis against Lyme borreliosis with ampicillin is recommended for children after a tick bite.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6.963134429619keywords = burgdorferi (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Unusual manifestations of hypersensitivity after a tick bite: report of two cases.BACKGROUND: ticks are able to transmit, through biting, various viral, parasitic, and bacterial diseases, the best known being lyme disease due to borrelia burgdorferi. In addition, ticks may also induce allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: A study of immediate and delayed skin reactions are undertaken to give evidence of an IgE-dependent mechanism. methods: Two lumbermen reported having had skin reactions following bites by ticks. skin prick tests and intradermal tests were performed with what was most probably ixodes ricinus extract in one case. Specific IgE to whole body extract of wood tick were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Histological and immunohistologic examinations of skin biopsy obtained from a pruriginous skin lesion and from a delayed reaction following the intradermal test, were performed. RESULTS: One of them had positive immediate reactions to a prick test and an intradermal test with the same extract. Both patients had significant levels of wood tick-specific IgE antibody as well as elevated serum total IgE levels. Histologic examinations of a pruriginous lesion revealed lymphocytic dermal and perivascular infiltration, with evidence of CD8 T lymphocytes and Langerhans' cells in the perivascular infiltrates. A biopsy of the place of the delayed reaction following the intradermal skin test also showed the presence of dermal and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates. CONCLUSION: IgE-dependent allergy to ixodes ricinus can explain allergic reactions. Standardized extracts have to be prepared with sufficient amounts of the relevant tick salivary antigens to permit diagnosis by skin and serologic tests of patients, especially lumbermen who may be allergic to ixodes ricinus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6.963134429619keywords = burgdorferi (Clic here for more details about this article) |