Southern tick-associated rash illness: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Southern tick-associated rash illness}} | {{Southern tick-associated rash illness}} | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} {{AE}}: {{VVS}} | ||
== Pathophysiology & Etiology== | == Pathophysiology & Etiology== | ||
Revision as of 16:42, 20 November 2012
| Southern tick-associated rash illness | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Adult female Amblyomma americanum tick |
|
Southern tick-associated rash illness Microchapters |
|
Differentiating Southern tick-associated rash illness from other Diseases |
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Southern tick-associated rash illness On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Southern tick-associated rash illness |
|
Directions to Hospitals Treating Southern tick-associated rash illness |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Southern tick-associated rash illness |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: : Vishnu Vardhan Serla M.B.B.S. [2]
Pathophysiology & Etiology
The cause of STARI is unknown. Studies have shown that is not caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Another spirochete, Borrelia lonestari, was detected in the skin of one patient and the lone star tick that bit him. However, subsequent study of over two dozen STARI patients has found no evidence of B. lonestari infection.
STARI is specifically associated with bites of Amblyomma americanum, known commonly as the lone star tick.
Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease
The Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, normally lives in mice, squirrels and other small animals. It is transmitted among these animals – and to humans -- through the bites of certain species of ticks.
In the northeastern and north-central United States, the blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) transmits Lyme disease. In the Pacific coastal United States, the disease is spread by the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus). Other tick species found in the United States have not been shown to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi. Blacklegged ticks live for two years and have three feeding stages: larvae, nymph, and adult. When a young tick feeds on an infected animal, the tick takes the bacterium into its body along with the blood meal.
The bacterium then lives in the gut of the tick. If the tick feeds again, it can transmit the bacterium to its new host. Usually the new host is another small rodent, but sometimes the new host is a human. Most cases of human illness occur in the late spring and summer when the tiny nymphs are most active and human outdoor activity is greatest.
Although adult ticks often feed on deer, these animals do not become infected. Deer are nevertheless important in transporting ticks and maintaining tick populations.
Other Modes of Transmission
Person-to-Person
There is no evidence that Lyme disease is transmitted from person-to-person. For example, a person cannot get infected from touching, kissing or having sex with a person who has Lyme disease.
During Pregnancy & While Breastfeeding
Lyme disease acquired during pregnancy may lead to infection of the placenta and possible stillbirth, however, no negative effects on the fetus have been found when the mother receives appropriate antibiotic treatment. There are no reports of Lyme disease transmission from breast milk.
From Blood
Although no cases of Lyme disease have been linked to blood transfusion, scientists have found that the Lyme disease bacteria can live in blood that is stored for donation. Individuals being treated for Lyme disease with an antibiotic should not donate blood. Individuals who have completed antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease may be considered as potential blood donors.
From Pets
Although dogs and cats can get Lyme disease, there is no evidence that they spread the disease directly to their owners. However, pets can bring infected ticks into your home or yard. Consider protecting your pet, and possibly yourself, through the use of tick control products for animals.
Other Transmission
You will not get Lyme disease from eating venison or squirrel meat, but in keeping with general food safety principles meat should always be cooked thoroughly. Note that hunting and dressing deer or squirrels may bring you into close contact with infected ticks.
There is no credible evidence that Lyme disease can be transmitted through air, food, water, or from the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, or lice.
References
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/stari/index.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/stari/lone-star-tick-image.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_transmission.htm
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.
List of contributors: