Author/Editor     Rojko, Tereza
Title     Pogostnost okužbe z bakterijo Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato pri gozdarskih delavcih v Sloveniji
Type     monografija
Place     Ljubljana
Publisher     Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year     2003
Volume     str. 60
Language     slo
Abstract     Lyme borreliosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Gram negative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The disease is transmitted by Ixodes ticks (hard ticks), in Europe by Ixodes ricinus. In Slovenia lyme borreliosis is the most common disease transmitted by ticks. Persons who spend a great deal of time in nature are exposed to tick bites to a greater extent than the general population, the consequence of which is a greater possibility of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l.. The aim of our study was to establish the risk of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l. for forest workers in comparison to indoor workers. The immediate reason for the research was the observation of the increasing incidence of lyme borreliosis in Slovenia, which is among the highest in Europe. 122 male and female forest workers were included in the prospective study. The control group consisted of 93 persons employed in jobs without any contact with nature, who corresponded to the forest workers with regard to age and region of residence. The study was carried out in five establishments of Slovenia Forest Service; in Bled, Kranj, Ljubljana, Nazarje and Slovenj Gradec. All the participants were examined twice - first before the beginning of the active period of ticks (early spring) and second at the end of the active period of ticks (late autumn) in the same year. At each examination the data were collected with the help of a questionnaire. A blood sample of 10 ml was taken for serological analysis at both examinations. The presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. was assessed in the samples of paired serums of examinees at the Institute for Microbiology and Immunology of the Medical Faculty in Ljubljana. They were assessed by the immunofluorescent test (IFT) without absorption and with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent flagellin test (ELISA, DAKO). The antibody titer of 1:256 or more by IFT was considered positive. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors     OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
FORESTRY
BORRELIA INFECTIONS
BORRELIA BURGDORFERI
ANTIBODIES, BACTERIAL
IXODES
BITES AND STINGS
IGM
IGG
ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY
PROSPECTIVE STUDIES
FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE
SLOVENIA