Open AccessThe expanding spectrum of disease caused by the Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma americanum
Author(s) -
Nelson Iván Agudelo Higuita,
Carlos FrancoParedes,
Andrés F Henao-Martínez
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
le infezioni in medicina
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.395
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2532-8689
pISSN - 1124-9390
DOI - 10.53854/liim-2903-8
Subject(s) - amblyomma americanum , tick , tick borne disease , disease , biology , virology , zoology , ixodidae , medicine , pathology
Ticks are remarkable vectors of a diverse and growing list of infectious agents of importance to both medical and veterinary disciplines. The tick Amblyomma americanum is one of the most frequently identified ticks in the United States with an expanding spectrum of human disease given its vast geographic range. The recently described Bourbon and Heartland viruses are likely transmitted by the Lone Star tick and are just two of the several novel tick-borne pathogens discovered in recent decades. The review will focus on these two viruses that can cause illness with similar characteristics to other diseases transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Healthcare professionals should consider these viruses in patients presenting with an ailment suggestive of a tick-born rickettsial disease that fails to improve with treatment with doxycycline. Additionally, some individuals may develop life-threatening allergic reactions triggered by the bite of the Lone Star tick.