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ARTICLES
Year : 1977  |  Volume : 25  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 41-42

Rhipicephalus on the lid margin


L. F Hospital, Angamally, India

Correspondence Address:
T P Ittyerah
L. F Hospital, Angamally
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


PMID: 612593

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How to cite this article:
Ittyerah T P, Fernandez S T. Rhipicephalus on the lid margin. Indian J Ophthalmol 1977;25:41-2

How to cite this URL:
Ittyerah T P, Fernandez S T. Rhipicephalus on the lid margin. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1977 [cited 2024 Mar 29];25:41-2. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1977/25/1/41/34602

Infestation of the eye lid with blood sucking ticks of domestic animals is not very common. With certain species of ticks little reaction may occur whereas certain other groups produce so much reaction that the tick itself might be hidden in the folds of skin [2],[3],[4] . Rhipicephalus species ticks are commonly seen on domestic animals like dogs and cows[1]. The present case is reported because of the peculiar presentation of the unsuspected invader in the eye lid.


  Case Report Top


A 22 year old man engaged in building construction attended the ophthalmic out-patient clinic for pain and blood stained discharge from right eye since four days.

On examination a small round bluish grey swelling was noticed at the lower lid margin of the right eye near the punctum. It was having a rhythmic move­ment simultating pulsation. There were few blood clots near the swelling. The patient had severe pain. On a close examination under the slit lamp the small apens dages were visible and we could make out clearly that it was a live blood sucking tick. On detailed questioning the patient told us that he used to sleep near a cow shed in the night. The insect was removed after applying a drop of oil and the patient had complete relief of symptoms.

The insect was identified as a blood sucking tick belonging to Rhipicephalus species.


  Discussion Top


Rhipicephalus species belongs to the family of Ixodidoe in the order Arachnida. They are known to invade a spectrum of hosts and spread diseases from one animal to other. Occasionally they spread diseases to men. African relapsing fever, tularaemia and Rocky mountain spotted fever are few of the diseases transmitted to man by ticks of different species [2] .

The appearance of the insect in the eye lid in this case was very much similar to a small bleeding heamangioma on naked eye examina­tion.


  Summary Top


A case of live blood sucking tick (Rhipice­phalus species) on the lower lid presented and a possible differential diagnosis suggested.


  Acknowledgement Top


We are grateful to Dr. C.K. Eapen, M.D., Medical Superintendent, Little Flower Hospital, Angamally for permitting us to use the hospital records.

 
  References Top

1.
Caroline, T., 1964, Encyclopaedia Britanica, 22, 192, William Berton, Chicago.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Duke Elder, S., 1974; Syst. of Ophthal., Vol. Xlll, P. 202, Henry Kimpton, London.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Kirxan, 1935: Brit. Jour. Ophthal., 19, 659. Quoted by Duke Elder S., 1974 Sys. of Ophthal. Vol. XIII, P. 202, Henry Kimpton, London.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Misar, 1959, Wien, Klin, Wschr., 71, 712. Quoted by Duke Elder S., 1974, Syst. of Ophthal. Vol. XII I, P. 202, Henry Kimpton, London.  Back to cited text no. 4
    


    Figures

  [Figure - 1], [Figure - 2]



 

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