Tick-borne pulmonary disease - Update on diagnosis and management

Ticks are capable of transmitting viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and ricketts iae to man. Several of these tick-borne pathogens can lead to pulmonary dis ease. Characteristic clinical Features, such as erythema migrans in Lyme di sease, ol spotted rash in a spotted fever group disease, may serve as impor tant diagnostic clues. Successful management of tick-borne diseases depends on a high index of suspicion and recognition of their clinical features. P atients at risk for tick bites may be coinfected with two or more tick-born e pathogens, A Lyme vaccine has recently become available for use in the Un ited States, Disease prevention depends on the avoidance of tick bites. Whe n patients present with respiratory symptoms and a history of a recent tick bite or a characteristic skin rash, a differential diagnosis of a tick-bor ne pulmonary disease should be considered, Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy for these disorders lead to greatly improved outcomes.