Lyme Disease

Tick-Transmitted Diseases

Lyme Disease Information for Health Professionals

On this page:
Required Disease Reporting
Clinical Features
Guidelines
Presentations
More from other web sites

Lyme disease

The pathognomonic erythema migrans (EM) rash is present in the majority (but not all) cases of Lyme disease. It is not always “bulls-eye” in appearance but does expand in size over time. If a patient has an EM highly suggestive of Lyme disease and recent symptom onset (<2-3 weeks), B. burgdorferi antibody tests are not recommended because of low sensitivity at this stage of infection.
Seroconversion to IgG antibodies on Western blot is expected for patients with symptoms lasting > 1 month. For patients who have had signs and symptoms for >1 month or who do not have an EM rash, diagnosis should be based on laboratory tests in addition to symptomatology.
Long-term or repeated antibiotics for the treatment of “chronic” Lyme disease is not necessary, safe, or recommended. Evidence does not demonstrate persistence of viable B. burgdorferi after treatment with the correct antibiotic for the indicated treatment duration (2-4 weeks). Persistent symptoms following proper treatment may be due to lingering inflammatory processes, an unrecognized tick-borne coinfection, or an unrelated process.

Full May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert

Required Disease Reporting

Reporting Lyme Disease
Minnesota Rules Governing Communicable Diseases require health care providers to report cases of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) within 1 working day.
MDH staff also are available to provide clinical consultation regarding diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Call 651-201-5414 for a clinical consultation.

Clinical Features

Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary among individuals. A person may not have all of these symptoms.
Rashes Caused by Lyme Disease
- American Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc. collection of rash pictures Attention: Non-MDH link
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collection of rash pictures Attention: Non-MDH link

Guidelines

Lyme Disease Guidelines for Minnesota Clinicians
Lyme Disease Guidelines for Minnesota Clinicians: Epidemiology, Microbiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention.
A Guide to Tick-Borne Diseases in Minnesota
A chart showing Disease, Causative Agent, Incubation Period, Classic Clinical Presentation, Recommended Laboratory Tests, and Recommended Treatment.
Online CME case study course for the clinical assessment, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease; Infectious Disease Society of America. Attention: Non-MDH link
IDSA Lyme Disease Guidelines
The Clinical Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Lyme Disease, Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis: Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
  4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Attention: Non-MDH link

Presentations

Lyme Disease: Challenges and Innovations
CDC Public Health Grand Rounds, May 2011. Attention: Non-MDH link

Spotlight

Image of Ticks: CDC
Blacklegged tick (deer tick) life stages next to a metric ruler. The adult ticks (two ticks at the left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch.

June 29, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus

May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Anaplasmosis Rivals Lyme Disease As Record Numbers of Minnesotans Sick from Tick-Borne Diseases in 2010.

Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

High Risk Areas in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.

Ticks
Learn about blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) including their life cycle, feeding habits, habitat, and population control. Also includes information on American dog ticks, the vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Minnesota.

Preventing Tick-Transmitted Disease
Information about minimizing your risk of tick-transmitted diseases, protecting your pets, and removing ticks.

In the Woods: Spray Before you work or play poster
Tickborne Prevention Poster: Spray Before You Work or Play

If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.

Minnesota Department of Health