Which antibiotic is the first line treatment for STARI?

Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), which is often associated with tick bites in the southeastern United States. This condition, which can present with a rash similar to Lyme disease, responds well to doxycycline due to its effectiveness against various tick-borne pathogens, including those that may cause similar symptoms.

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic that not only treats bacterial infections effectively but also has a good safety profile and is generally well-tolerated by patients. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, thereby stopping their growth and proliferation.

The other options do not serve as first-line treatments for STARI. Azithromycin, while effective for certain infections including respiratory and some other bacterial infections, is not typically used for STARI as the preferred initial treatment. Atovaquone is mainly used for the treatment of malaria and certain types of pneumonia and does not target the pathogens associated with STARI. Amoxicillin, commonly used for various bacterial infections, is not the preferred choice for STARI due to insufficient evidence supporting its efficacy for this specific condition.

In summary, doxycycline's effectiveness and its established role as the first-line treatment for STARI make it the correct answer