Evaluation of factors influencing tick bites and tick-borne infections: a longitudinal study

Parasites & Vectors

Pierre-Edouard Fournier¹  Sigurdur Skarphedinsson²  Mie Topholm Bruun³  Bo Bødker Jensen⁴  Ming Chen⁵  Per Moestrup Jensen⁶  Andreas Kristian Pedersen⁷ 

[1] Aix-Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France;IHU-Mediterranée Infection, Marseille, France;Clinical Centre for Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark;Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark;Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark;Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Sydvang 1, 6400, Sønderborg, Denmark;Clinical Centre for Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark;Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Sydvang 1, 6400, Sønderborg, Denmark;Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;Research and Education Center, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark;

关键词: Tick-borne infections;    Tick;    Borreliosis;    Rickettsiosis;    Climate;    Symptoms;    Seroconversion;    Prevalence;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13071-021-04751-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundVarious tick-borne infections like borreliosis and rickettsiosis pose a health risk to humans in many parts of the world. We investigated seroprevalence of and seroconversion to Borrelia burgdorferi and Rickettsia spp. and relation to tick-bites, weather and clinical manifestations in Denmark.MethodsBlood donors were enrolled at the Hospital of Southern Jutland in June–July with follow-up November–February of 2018 and 2019. Blood samples were collected, and a questionnaire regarding tick bites, potential exposures and symptoms was completed at each visit. Samples were tested for presence of IgM and IgG antibodies directed against B. burgdorferi and Rickettsia spp. using R. helvetica and R. felis as antigens. Data were examined for correlation between tick bites, serological results, potential exposures and symptoms.ResultsTwo-hundred and fourteen (93 follow-ups) and 130 (38 follow-ups) blood donors were included in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The total borrelia seroconversion rate was 6.3% (CI 2.1–10.5), while the prevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies was 7.8% (CI 4.9–10.6) and 6.7% (CI 4–9.3), respectively. Seroconversion to Rickettsia spp. was detected in one participant. Tick bites and seroconversion were not significantly associated with the reported unspecific symptoms, but unspecific symptoms were common in the study population. There was no significant difference in number of tick bites or seroconversion/prevalence between seasons with highly alternating weather.ConclusionsResults suggest that weather conditions in an individual year have a limited impact. Anti-Borrelia-antibodies do not seem to persist in serum for several years. Rickettsiosis is of limited concern in Denmark.Graphical Abstract

【 授权许可】

CC BY