Southern tick-associated rash illness

	WikiDoc Resources for Southern tick-associated rash illness
Articles
Most recent articles on Southern tick-associated rash illness Most cited articles on Southern tick-associated rash illness Review articles on Southern tick-associated rash illness Articles on Southern tick-associated rash illness in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Southern tick-associated rash illness Images of Southern tick-associated rash illness Photos of Southern tick-associated rash illness Podcasts & MP3s on Southern tick-associated rash illness Videos on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Southern tick-associated rash illness Bandolier on Southern tick-associated rash illness TRIP on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Southern tick-associated rash illness at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Southern tick-associated rash illness Clinical Trials on Southern tick-associated rash illness at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Southern tick-associated rash illness NICE Guidance on Southern tick-associated rash illness NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Southern tick-associated rash illness CDC on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Books
Books on Southern tick-associated rash illness
News
Southern tick-associated rash illness in the news Be alerted to news on Southern tick-associated rash illness News trends on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Commentary
Blogs on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Definitions
Definitions of Southern tick-associated rash illness
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Southern tick-associated rash illness Discussion groups on Southern tick-associated rash illness Patient Handouts on 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
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Southern tick-associated rash illness Causes & Risk Factors for Southern tick-associated rash illness Diagnostic studies for Southern tick-associated rash illness Treatment of Southern tick-associated rash illness
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Southern tick-associated rash illness
International
Southern tick-associated rash illness en Espanol Southern tick-associated rash illness en Francais
Business
Southern tick-associated rash illness in the Marketplace Patents on Southern tick-associated rash illness
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Southern tick-associated rash illness

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Also known as: STARI

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/stari/index.htm

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.