Sero-epidemiological study of Lyme disease susceptible persons in the Pleven region

Abstract

Introduction: Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the leading vector-born infection in the region of Pleven and the second most registered disease in Bulgaria for the last ten years. The causative agent Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. The aim of the study is to analyse the results of serological tests and epidemiological data of people who have been bitten by a tick. Materials and Methods: A retrospective epidemiological assay has been conducted for a period of one year (2017). The data of the serological tests, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Immu­noglobulin M (IgM), and Immunoglobulin G (IgG), and Western Blot IgM and Western Blot IgG, which were done in Regional Health Inspection - Pleven (RHI) and the epidemiological information from the questionnaires of research participants has been analysed. There were in total 59 people, aged 2 to 84-years-old (average 49 years) among which 34 (57.6%) were males and 25 (42.4%) - females. Results: The questionnaire has been filled by 39 people. The analysis of the data shows exposure to ticks in 38/39 (97.4%) of the respondents. The greatest number of tick bites has been registered during the months of June (12), July (15) and September (10). The serological tests showed that 38 (69%) from IgM examined people were positive and 3 (25%) from IgG examined people were positive. The West­ern Blot test was positive for IgM in 9/21 and for IgG in 1/3. Conclusion: The disease has an acute or chronic-recurrent progression. In order to be diagnosed and registered according to `Regulation 21/18.07.2015 on the order of registration, reporting and ac­counting of contagious diseases` correct interpretation of the laboratory tests and the clinical and ep­idemiological data of people susceptible for LB is required.