Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) attached to the ear canal and tympanic membrane of two children from Panama

Abstract

In May 2022 and August 2022, two children, ten and 8-years old, respectively, were attended for foreign body sensation, pain, and discomfort in their ears. During the evaluation of the first case, a tick attached to his tympanic membrane was observed, whilst three ticks were evidenced in the ear canal and membrane tympanic of case 2. Ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Both patients came from urban places in the Chiriqui province, and ticks were found in their dogs. Moreover, additional clinical considerations of these cases and the relative importance of R. sanguineus s.l. are addressed.

Keywords

• pediatric otorhinolaryngology
• ear-canal
• tympanic membrane
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.
• Chiriquí
• Panamá