How does a buruliz tick manifest? - briefly
A buruliz tick manifests as a sudden, brief twitch of the eyelid or facial muscles, usually felt as a sharp, fleeting sensation. The episode lasts only a fraction of a second and resolves without lasting effects.
How does a buruliz tick manifest? - in detail
The buruliz tick produces a distinctive set of cutaneous and systemic manifestations that emerge shortly after attachment. The initial reaction appears at the bite site as a sharply demarcated erythematous papule, often surrounded by a pale halo. Within 24 hours, the lesion may develop a central vesicle that ruptures, leaving a shallow ulcer. Surrounding erythema can expand up to 5 cm in diameter, sometimes accompanied by edema.
Systemic involvement follows a predictable pattern:
- Low‑grade fever (37.5‑38.5 °C) beginning 12‑48 hours post‑bite.
- Headache and generalized fatigue persisting for 2‑4 days.
- Myalgia, most pronounced in the proximal muscles of the limbs.
- Transient lymphadenopathy in regional nodes.
Laboratory evaluation frequently reveals mild leukocytosis (10‑12 × 10⁹ L⁻¹) with a neutrophilic shift, elevated C‑reactive protein (15‑30 mg L⁻¹), and, in severe cases, modest hepatic transaminase elevation (ALT/AST 45‑70 U L⁻¹). Serologic testing for Buruliz‑associated pathogens may become positive after 5‑7 days.
The clinical course typically progresses as follows:
- Day 0‑1: Localized skin reaction, onset of fever.
- Day 2‑4: Peak systemic symptoms, maximal laboratory abnormalities.
- Day 5‑7: Gradual resolution of fever and headache; skin lesion begins to re‑epithelialize.
- Day 8‑14: Complete healing of cutaneous lesion; laboratory parameters return to baseline.
Persistent or worsening symptoms beyond two weeks warrant evaluation for secondary infection or atypical pathogen involvement. Early identification of the characteristic lesion and accompanying systemic signs enables prompt therapeutic intervention.