Tick-borne infections in children in North America

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.

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.

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.