What's eating you? lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
Amblyomma americanum, also known as the lone star tick, is found in much of the eastern United States. Since the mid-20th century, the lone star tick has been implicated in human disease. Today,A americanumremains an important vector for tick-borne illness. In addition to others, species ofRickettsia,Ehrlichia, andBorreliaare all transmitted by the lone star tick. Recently described conditions such as Southern tick-associated rash illness and anaphylaxis to red meat following tick bites have been attributed to the lone star tick. Impressive local reactions also can result after bites fromA americanum. Early treatment of tick-borne illness is crucial to ensure good patient outcomes. Tick-control measures also are an important part of disease management in endemic areas. We discuss the tick's biology, human illnesses associated withA americanum, and methods to control tick numbers and eliminate disease in local reservoirs.
Medical Department, Training Air Wing SIX, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, USA.
H Harris
HH
Reynolds
Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Dirk M
DM
Elston
D000818:Animals; D001898:Borrelia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001899:Borrelia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology