TICK-BORNE DISEASES IN THE UNITED-STATES

In the United States, more vector-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks than by any other agent1. During the past 20 years, tick-borne diseases have taken on increased importance as humans have moved into rural areas and increased their recreational outdoor activity. Tick-borne diseases can result from infection with pathogens that include bacteria, rickettsia, viruses, and protozoa (Table 1). In this article, we review recent advances in the understanding of these diseases, particularly the microbiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the major tick-borne diseases that occur in the United States. Biology of Ticks Ticks are obligate blood-sucking members of the… © 1993, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.