Oral Versus IV Treatment for Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections

B. burgdorferi–infected I. scapularis now includes northern Cook and Lake counties. More importantly, the high percentage of B. burgdorferi–infected ticks in this region confi rms a newly recognized signifi cant risk of Lyme disease in suburban areas adjacent to Chicago (population ≈7 million). Recently, the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommended that clinicians consider prescribing a single prophylactic dose of doxycycline (200 mg) when patients have received tick bites in areas where the percentage of B. burgdorferi–infected I. scapularis exceeds 20% (6,7). The high percentage of infected adult ticks identifi ed in this survey highlights the need for physicians in the Chicago area to become familiar with this recommendation, especially considering the high likelihood that nymphal I. scapularis ticks are similarly infected (1). Moreover, confi rmation of the increasing risk of contracting Lyme disease near metropolitan Chicago should provide impetus for more comprehensive studies to completely defi ne the risk of this potentially serious illness.