SHMYO-OO5
Objective: This study aimed to
investigate the seroprevalence of Borrelia
burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and Rickettsia conorii, the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted
fever, in the Sinop region.
Method: In 2006 and 2007, the blood
serum of 184 people, living in the villages of the central district of Sinop,
was obtained and stored at 80ºC until the study. In these sera, IgG antibodies reactive to B. burgdorferi and R. conorii were investigated by ELISA method.
Results: Antibody positivity was found against B.
burgdorferi in 36.41% and R. conorii
in 45.10% of 184 people living in rural areas of Sinop. Reactive antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected in 47.62% of 42 people with a history
of redness and swelling at the contact site after the tick bite, and in 28.95%
of 76 people without these symptoms (p= 0.043, OR=2.23). The seropositivity to R. conorii was found in 57.14% and 46.05%
of persons with and without these symptoms, respectively (p= 0.363, OR= 1.56).
There was a statistically significant increase
in seroprevalence of both B. burgdorferi
and R. conorii with increasing age (p<0.05). R. conorii and
B. burgdorferi co-seroprevalence were
determined in 16.85% of serum samples. Since the ELISA test results in both pathogens were not repeated with
confirmation tests, these findings were considered possible.
Conclusions: The findings obtained in this study revealed that
Sinop and similar ecological features should be evaluated within the endemic
regions for B. burgdorferi and R. conorii. It should be paying attention that infections
from both pathogens may be likely to appear at these regions.
Borrelia burgdorferi Rickettsia conorii Lyme disease Mediterranean Spotted Fever Erythema Migrans
The Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Projects Commission Presidentship
SHMYO-OO5
This study was supported by the Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Projects Commission Presidentship (CUBAP) (SHMYO-OO5). During the investigation, I would like to thank the High Nurse Zübeyde Güneş for helping to collect blood from people, and thanks for Prof. Dr Ömer Poyraz and Prof. Dr Ahmet Alim for their contributions in ELISA and RPR testing.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Health Care Administration |
Journal Section | Basic Science Research Articles |
Authors | |
Project Number | SHMYO-OO5 |
Publication Date | December 31, 2019 |
Acceptance Date | December 31, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 |