Neurotoxin-Induced Paralysis: A Case of Tick Paralysis in a 2-Year-Old Child

摘要: Abstract Background Tick paralysis is an arthropod-transmitted disease causing potentially lethal progressive ascending weakness. The presenting symptoms of tick overlap those acute inflammatory diseases the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord; thus, condition often misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary treatments prolonged hospitalization. Patient A 2-year-old girl residing in northern New York having no history travel areas endemic ticks presented with rapidly progressing paralysis, hyporeflexia, intact sensory examination. Investigation included blood serum toxicology screens, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, brain imaging. With all tests negative, child's was initially mistaken for botulism; however, engorged later found attached head skin. Following removal, patient's weakness promptly improved additional interventions. Conclusion Our patient illustrates importance thorough skin examination cases necessity include differential diagnosis even nonendemic areas.