Moody E K, Barker R W, White J L, Crutcher J M
Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma City 73117, USA.
J Okla State Med Assoc. 1998 Nov;91(8):438-45.
Tick-borne diseases are common in Oklahoma, especially the eastern part of the state where tick prevalence is highest. Three species of hard ticks are present in Oklahoma that are known vectors of human disease--the American dog tick (Rocky Mountain spotted fever; RMSF), the lone star tick (ehrlichiosis) and the black-legged tick (Lyme disease). Oklahoma consistently ranks among the top states in numbers of reported RMSF cases, and Ehrlichiosis may be as prevalent as RMSF. Although Lyme disease is frequently reported in Oklahoma, over-diagnosing of this disease due to false-positive test results is common; positive or equivocal screening tests should be confirmed by Western immunoblot. At present, it is unclear whether the disease seen here is Lyme disease or another Lyme-like disease. If true Lyme disease is present in the state, it is probably rare. Physicians should be aware of the most recent recommendations for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of tick-borne diseases.
蜱传疾病在俄克拉荷马州很常见，尤其是在该州东部，那里蜱的数量最多。俄克拉荷马州有三种硬蜱是已知的人类疾病传播媒介——美洲犬蜱（传播落基山斑疹热；RMSF）、孤星蜱（传播埃立克体病）和黑腿蜱（传播莱姆病）。俄克拉荷马州报告的RMSF病例数一直位居各州前列，埃立克体病的流行程度可能与RMSF相当。虽然俄克拉荷马州经常报告莱姆病，但由于假阳性检测结果导致该病的过度诊断很常见；阳性或疑似筛查试验应通过western免疫印迹法进行确认。目前，尚不清楚这里所见的疾病是莱姆病还是另一种类似莱姆病的疾病。如果该州确实存在真正的莱姆病，可能很罕见。医生应了解蜱传疾病诊断、治疗和预防的最新建议。
