Tick paralysis is caused by neurotoxins secreted by adult female ticks, primarily in North America and on the east coast of Australia. Sporadic illness is also recorded in Europe and Africa. In the European countries, including Poland, there are 6 species of ticks capable of causing tick paralysis. The disease occurs in people of all ages, but is most commonly diagnosed in children under 8 years of age. Paralysis can take different forms - from rare isolated cranial nerve infections to quadriplegia and respiratory muscles paralysis. After the tick remove, the symptoms resolve spontaneously. In severe cases with paralysis of respiratory muscles, when there is no possibility of mechanical ventilation, the disease may lead to death.
Keywords: tick paralysis; ticks; epidemiology; clinical picture; prevention.