Tick-Borne Infections - Bakken

Question 1

All the various forms of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis can be treated with?

Answer 1

Doxycycline

Question 2

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by what bacterial organism?

Main mammal resoirvoir hosts?

Answer 2

Rickettsia Rickettsii

Rodents and dogs!

Question 3

What it the best treatment for RMSF?

Answer 3

Doxycycline!

also tetracycline or chloramphenicol

Question 4

What causes babesiosis?

Answer 4

Babesia (more than 60 species in this genus)

Transferred from ticks
ALSO - most common transfusion related infection in the U.S.

Question 5

Clinical manifestation of babesiosis?

Answer 5

Flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia)
NO diagnostic rash or eschar at bite site
occasional jaundice

Positive blood smear is diagnostic
(specific - do PCR)

Question 6

What is the treatment regime for babesiosis?

Answer 6

Quinine PLUS Clindamycin
–This combo is good for very sick patient

OR

Atovaquone PLUS Azithromycin
–less sick patient

Doxycyline or Chloroquine will NOT resolve issues

Question 7

How does Tularemia present?

Answer 7

Fever/Chills/Headache/myalgia/sore throat
black eschar at bite site
Regional lymphadenopathy

Question 8

Preferred antibiotic to treat tularemia?

Answer 8

Streptomycin
Gentamicin
Doxycycline

Question 9

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis transmission results from what?

Answer 9

Tick-vector responsible for transmission of bacteria in majority of cases

Transmission may also result from exposure to infected animal blood (mice, deer, humans) or infected blood-transfusion