![]() ![]() ![]() The distribution, range and abundance of the lone star tick have increased over the past 20-30 years, and lone star ticks have been recorded in large numbers as far north as Maine and as far west as central Texas and Oklahoma. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is found throughout the eastern, southeastern and south-central states. In fact, their saliva has been shown to kill Borrelia (Ledin et al., 2005, Zeidner et al., 2009). Lone star ticks have not been shown to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease. Researchers once hypothesized that STARI was caused by the spirochete, Borrelia lonestari, however further research did not support this idea External. STARI has not been linked to arthritis, neurologic disease, or chronic symptoms. In the cases of STARI studied to date, the rash and accompanying symptoms have resolved following treatment with an oral antibiotic (doxycycline), but it is unknown whether this medication speeds recovery. The rash may sometimes be accompanied by fatigue, headache, fever, and muscle pains. This condition has been named southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). The cause of this rash has not been determined however, studies have shown that the rash is not caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Patients bitten by lone star ticks will occasionally develop a circular rash similar to the rash of early Lyme disease. Many people, even health care providers, can be confused about whether the lone star tick causes Lyme disease. Lone star tick a concern, but not for Lyme disease ![]()
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