Abstract
Limited data are available on the current status of Lyme disease in South Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Lyme disease infection among forestry workers in National Park Offices in South Korea. We enrolled National Park Office forestry workers (NPOFWs) who had worked for ≥1 year. Participants completed questionnaires that addressed various subjects including work types and work hygiene-related factors. Collected serum samples were tested using immunofluorescence assay to detect anti-Borrelia antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors of seroprevalence. Of 1,410 NPOFWs, 655 (46.5%) participated in this study, and an overall seroprevalence of Lyme disease antibodies was 8.1%. Analysis showed that always eating meals in woodland (odds ratio (OR), 5.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.08–12.52) and raising dogs outside homes (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.57–6.75) were significantly associated with Lyme disease infection. This seroprevalence study indicates that Lyme disease is an important disease among NPOFWs in South Korea. These identified modifiable risk factors should be considered while designing preventive strategies for reducing Lyme disease infection among NPOFWs.
Highlights
confidence interval (CI), 1.57–6.75) were significantly associated with Lyme disease infection
We have identified risk factors associated with Lyme disease infection among
A seroepidemiologic study performed in China among people living in forested areas reported Lyme disease seroprevalence ranging from 2.9% to 14.9% as determined by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer of ≥1:128 [22], which is similar to the seroprevalence of
Summary
CI, 1.57–6.75) were significantly associated with Lyme disease infection This seroprevalence study indicates that Lyme disease is an important disease among NPOFWs in South Korea. These identified modifiable risk factors should be considered while designing preventive strategies for reducing Lyme disease infection among NPOFWs. Lyme disease is a zoonotic tick-borne disease that is caused by a wide variety of spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Several studies reported that a wide range of personal and environmental preventive measures, such as wearing protective clothing, checking for ticks during outdoor activities, applying repellents prior to outdoor activities, taking a shower after visiting areas at risk, and the use of host-targeted acaricides, are protective factors for Lyme disease infection [5,7,9]. During 2011–2019, an average of 15.8 cases of Lyme disease was reported annually, with 23 cases in 2019 [10]
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