Lyme disease testing by large commercial laboratories in the United States.

Background: Laboratory testing is helpful when evaluating patients with suspected Lyme disease (LD). A 2-tiered antibody testing approach is recommended, but single-tier and nonvalidated tests are also used. We conducted a survey of large commercial laboratories in the United States to assess laboratory practices.

Tick-borne diseases in Minnesota: an update.

Tick-borne diseases endemic to Minnesota include Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis/ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus illness and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Physicians need to be aware of these diseases and be vigilant about testing for them when patients present with acute febrile illness or rash within one month of potential tick exposure. In addition, they need to educate patients about these diseases and encourage prevention measures, especially use of tick repellents.

First collection records of Aedes japonicus in Minnesota.

Aedes japonicus was first identified in the eastern United States during 1998 and has since spread to locations west of the Mississippi River. This species was found in Minnesota for the first time during 2007 at a tire recycling facility in Scott County and was identified during 2008 at 43 locations in 4 additional Minnesota counties south and east of the initial finding. These records document the presence of Ae.

Dispelling the chronic Lyme disease myth.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness endemic to Minnesota that can have potentially severe complications. As the incidence of Lyme disease continues to increase, it is important for physicians in Minnesota to become familiar with its clinical aspects, including the concept of "chronic Lyme disease." Chronic Lyme disease is a misnomer that is often applied to patients with nonspecific presentations who may or may not have a history of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent that causes Lyme disease.