Serological evidence for tick-borne encephalitis, borreliosis, and human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Mongolia

Abstract

Five hundred and forty-five serum samples from donors from various parts of Mongolia were investigated for antibodies against the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Seroprevalence against TBE was 5.1% in the province of Selenge and 0.9% in Bulgan province, seroprevalence against B. burgdorferi was 1.9% in Selenge province and Bulgan province, 13.9% in Dornogov province, and 3.0% in Tov province and Ulaanbaatar. Seroprevalence against A. phagocytophilum was 2.3% in Selenge province, 5.6% in Bulgan province, 2.8% in Dornogov province, and 3.0% in Tov province and Ulaanbaatar. We conclude that all three pathogens are endemic in Mongolia.