STARI, or Masters disease: Lone Star tick-vectored Lyme-like illness

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008 Jun;22(2):361-76, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.12.010.

Abstract

Lyme-like illness (also known as southern tick-associated rash illness [STARI] or Masters disease) is vectored by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Lyme-like illness lesions, which are similar to the erythema migrans rash of Lyme disease, tend to have lymphocytic dermal infiltrates. With the exception of Borrelia lonestari, the possible causative agent or agents of Lyme-like illness have not been cultured. More research is needed to fully understand this newly recognized zoonosis. Clinicians are encouraged to increase their knowledge and awareness of this Lyme disease mimic.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Borrelia Infections* / diagnosis
  • Borrelia Infections* / drug therapy
  • Borrelia Infections* / epidemiology
  • Borrelia Infections* / microbiology
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / diagnosis
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / drug therapy
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / epidemiology
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / microbiology
  • United States / epidemiology