Assessment of Duration of Tick Feeding by the Scutal Index Reduces Need for Antibiotic Prophylaxis after Ixodes Scapularis Tick Bites

Authors

Richard C. Falco, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Thomas J. Daniels, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Vanessa Vinci
Donna McKenna, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Carol Scavarda, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Gary P. Wormser, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.1093/cid/ciy221

Journal Title

Clinical Infectious Diseases

First Page

614

Last Page

616

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2018

Department

Medicine

Keywords

Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Doxycycline, Ixodes, Lyme Disease, Tick Bites

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Doxycycline is recommended for persons with Ixodes scapularis tick bites in certain geographic areas, if the tick had fed for at least 36 hours. Based on the scutal index, over 40% of I. scapularis tick bites from patients seen at the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center did not warrant antibiotic prophylaxis.

Recommended Citation

Falco, R. C., Daniels, T. J., Vinci, V., McKenna, D., Scavarda, C., & Wormser, G. (2018). Assessment of Duration of Tick Feeding by the Scutal Index Reduces Need for Antibiotic Prophylaxis after Ixodes Scapularis Tick Bites. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 67 (4), 614-616. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy221