Mycobacterial Diseases
Open Access

Tick Borne Diseases

Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in the United States include: Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia. More advanced lab tests that can provide more precise diagnosis of the disease include a PCR test to identify Ehrlichia-specific DNA, and IFA tests to detect antibodies to the Ehrlichia antigens in the blood. Anaplasmosis, similar to Ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. No specific medication is indicated. At the onset of symptoms, most patients will be treated empirically with tetracycline, doxycycline, or chloramphenicol to cover for other tick-borne diseases.