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Review
. 2024 Apr 1;36(2):156-163.
doi: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001326. Epub 2024 Jan 3.

Tick-borne infections in children in North America

Emma Taylor-Salmon  1   2 , Eugene D Shapiro  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Tick-borne infections in children in North America

Emma Taylor-Salmon et al. Curr Opin Pediatr. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Because both incidence and awareness of tick-borne infections is increasing, review of major infections and recent advances related to their diagnosis and management is important.

Recent findings: A new algorithm, termed modified two-tier testing, for testing for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi , the cause of Lyme disease, has been approved and may replace traditional two-tier testing. In addition, doxycycline is now acceptable to use for treatment of and/or prophylaxis for Lyme disease for up to 21 days in children of any age. Borrelia miyamotoi , a bacterium in the relapsing fever type of Borrelia, is the first of this type of Borrelia that is transmitted by hard-bodied ticks such as Ixodes scapularis.

Summary: Awareness of these infections and advances in their diagnosis and treatment is important to assure the best outcomes for affected patients. Table 1 contains a summary of infections discussed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential Conflicts of interest: Dr. Shapiro receives royalties from UptoDate and has served as an expert witness for law firms and as a consultant to Pfizer.

References

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    1. Mead P Epidemiology of Lyme Disease. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022;36(3):495–521.

      Good review of the changing epidemiology of Lyme disease.

    1. McCarthy CA, Helis JA, Daikh BE. Lyme Disease in Children. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022;36(3):593–603.

      Review of Lyme disease including updated recommendations for treatment.

    1. Salkeld DJ, Leonhard S, Girard YA, et al. Identifying the reservoir hosts of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in California: the role of the western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus). Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008;79(4):535–40. - PMC - PubMed

    1. Kobayashi T, Auwaerter PG. Diagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022;36(3):605–20.

      Good explanation of the changes to diagnostic testing for antibodies to Lyme disease.