Tick-borne zoonotic infection in Georgia

Abstract

Background: The importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing all over the world, including Georgia. In Georgia, almost only a few TBDs have been reported in animals and men, involving Lyme Borreliosis [LB], tick-borne relapsing fever [TBRF], tick-borne encephalitis [TBE], Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever [CCHF]. The dramatic increase of morbidity of CCHF and LB is observed recently. Methods & Materials: This study was undertaken to reveal epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features of CCHF and LB. We studied 45 hospitalized patients with CCHF, 4 of them were fatal cases (8,8%) and 21 patient with LB admitted to the Center of Infectious Diseases, Tbilisi, Georgia and 110 outpacients with LB. Most of patients were rural citizens from Georgia and 70% of them could recall the tick bite. The diagnosis of CCHF and LB was confirmed by ELISA serologic method. Results: Thus, TBDs are an actual medical problem in Georgia. Together with NCDC are developed necessary measures to reduce morbidity of TBDs in humans. They include limiting of vectors distribution; introduction and use of modern diagnostic methods (Bor. Burgdorferi reactive and equivocal samples by ELISA are check with western blot test since summer 2017); inform and train healthcare practitioners to detection disease at early stage and provide effective treatment Conclusion: Thus, TBDs are an actual medical problem in Georgia. Together with NCDC are developed necessary measures to reduce morbidity of TBDs in humans. They include limiting of vectors distribution; introduction and use of modern diagnostic methods (Bor. Burgdorferi reactive and equivocal samples by ELISA are check with western blot test since summer 2017); inform and train healthcare practitioners to detection disease at early stage and provide effective treatment