Early Lyme Disease (Erythema Migrans) and Its Mimics (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness and Tick-Associated Rash Illness)

Authors

Franc Strle, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Japljeva 2, Ljubljana 1525, Slovenia. Electronic address: franc.strle@kclj.si.
Gary P. Wormser, New York Medical College, 40 Sunshine Cottage Road, Skyline Office, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Infectious Disease Clinics of North America

First Page

523

Last Page

539

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2022

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Erythema migrans, an expanding erythematous skin lesion that develops days to weeks following an Ixodes species tick bite, is the most common clinical manifestation of Lyme disease. Presentations in the United States differ somewhat from that in Europe, presumably because of the different etiologic agents. Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin lesion, rather than on laboratory testing. After treatment with an appropriate oral antibiotic for 10 to 14 days, the prognosis is excellent. Two conditions that cause a similar skin lesion following a tick bite, but are of unknown cause, are Southern tick-associated rash illness in the United States and tick-associated rash illness in Japan.

Recommended Citation

Strle, F., & Wormser, G. P. (2022). Early Lyme Disease (Erythema Migrans) and Its Mimics (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness and Tick-Associated Rash Illness). Infectious Disease Clinics of North America, 36 (3), 523-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2022.03.005