What should be done if Borrelia are found in a tick? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly, disinfect the bite area, and seek medical evaluation for possible prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Record the tick’s identification and notify local health authorities.
What should be done if Borrelia are found in a tick? - in detail
If a tick removed from a person tests positive for Borrelia species, immediate medical assessment is required. The clinician should verify the date of the bite, the duration of attachment, and any emerging symptoms such as erythema migrans, fever, headache, or fatigue.
-
Risk evaluation – Determine whether the tick was attached for ≥36 hours, as longer attachment increases transmission probability. Consider the geographic prevalence of Lyme disease and the specific Borrelia genospecies identified.
-
Prophylactic antibiotic regimen – When the risk exceeds 20 % and the patient is otherwise healthy, a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) administered within 72 hours of removal is recommended. Alternatives (amoxicillin or cefuroxime) apply for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children under 8 years, or those with doxycycline contraindications.
-
Baseline serology – Obtain an initial Lyme disease antibody panel (IgM and IgG) to establish a reference point. Positive results at this stage may reflect prior exposure; serial testing is necessary for interpretation.
-
Symptom surveillance – Instruct the patient to monitor for signs of early disseminated infection (multiple erythema migrans lesions, neurological deficits, cardiac involvement) over the next 30 days. Prompt reporting of any new manifestations should trigger diagnostic testing and therapeutic escalation.
-
Follow‑up testing – If symptoms develop, repeat serology and consider polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood or cerebrospinal fluid, depending on clinical presentation. Positive PCR confirms active infection and guides targeted antimicrobial therapy.
-
Documentation and reporting – Record the tick species, collection date, and laboratory findings in the patient’s chart. Notify local public‑health authorities if required, facilitating surveillance of vector‑borne disease patterns.
-
Preventive counseling – Advise on personal protective measures: use of repellents containing DEET or picaridin, wearing long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas, performing daily tick checks, and proper removal techniques (fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping close to skin, steady upward traction).
By following this protocol, clinicians can reduce the likelihood of progression to Lyme disease, ensure early detection if infection occurs, and contribute to broader epidemiological monitoring.