Human otoacariasis

Accidental entry of insects and other arthropods is a common aetiology of a ural foreign bodies (FB) presenting to accident and emergency departments. A retrospective study revealed that the FB in almost half (148) of 348 case s of aural FB investigated at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital was an arthropod. The most common arthropod encountered was the cockroach, follow ed by a cattle tick. The high prevalence of tick infestation of the human e ar canal (i.e. human otoacariasis) currently appears to be unique to the Ma laysian state of Kelantan. The presentation of patients with intra-aural ti cks, the methods used to remove the ticks, the complications encountered, a nd recommendations for an appropriate course of action in such cases are di scussed.