Abstract
BackgroundFrancisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia in humans and a large number of animal species. Considering recent evidence of the circulation of this bacterium in different parts of Iran, especially in the western provinces, the aim of current study was to determine the tularemia seroprevalence in the human population living in Ilam Province.MethodsIn 2015, 360 serum samples were collected from five groups of people: ranchers (n = 112), farmers (n = 79), butchers and slaughterhouse workers (n = 61), Nature Conservation Officers (n = 34), and referents of medical diagnostic laboratories (n = 74). These samples were tested for the presence of anti- F. tularensis IgG antibodies using the ELISA method.ResultsAccording to the ELISA manufacturer cutoffs, we found that 10 (2.78%) and 9 (2.5%) sera, respectively, were positive or borderline for F. tularensis IgG antibodies. The highest tularemia seroprevalence was observed among farmers (7.59%).ConclusionsOur results strongly support the circulation of tularemia in Ilam Province. Because no human tularemia case has been reported so far in this province, we recommend specific education programs to increase knowledge of local health care professionals about this important zoonotic disease.
Highlights
Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia in humans and a large number of animal species
The highest and the lowest tularemia seroprevalence were observed in farmers (7.59%) and Nature Conservation Officers (0%), respectively (Table 2)
The overall tularemia seroprevalence among different populations studied was 2.78%, we found a seroprevalence of 7.59% in farmers, which are probably more exposed to the F. tularensis animal reservoir
Summary
Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia in humans and a large number of animal species. Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium, causing tularemia in humans and many animal species [1]. This pathogen is considered a biological threat agent because it can induce severe diseases even at a low infectious dose, it can be spread by aerosols, it can survive for months in water and soil environments, only a limited number of antibiotics can be used for treatment, and no vaccine is available for prevention of tularemia [2]. The routes of tularemia transmission to humans are numerous: direct contact with infected animals (especially hares); consumption of F. tularensis-contaminated meat or water; arthropod bites (mainly ticks, Esmaeili et al BMC Infectious Diseases (2019) 19:502 and mosquitoes in specific areas); and exposure to a contaminated water or soil environment [1, 3, 6,7,8]
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