Longitudinal study of Lyme borreliosis in a high risk population in Switzerland
Author(s)
Zhioua, Elyes
Sauvain, Marie-Josephe
Van der Linden, Sjef
Fahrer, Heinz
Date issued
1998
In
Parasite-Journal De La Societe Francaise De Parasitologie
Vol
4
No
5
From page
383
To page
386
Subjects
Borrelia burgdorferi Ixodes ricinus orienteers seroprevalence seroconversion clinical incidence BURGDORFERI SENSU-LATO JERSEY OUTDOOR WORKERS FORESTRY WORKERS CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS IXODES-RICINUS DISEASE PREVALENCE SEROPREVALENCE INFECTION FRANCE
Abstract
Orienteers from all parts of Switzerland (n = 416) were included in a longitudinal study for lyme borreliosis. In spring 1986, the seroprevalence was 28.1 %. At the beginning of the study, 84.3 % of orienteers reported a history of tick bite, and 3.8 % reported a past history of lyme borreliosis. During the first (spring 1986-autumn 1986), second (autumn 1986-spring 1987) and third (spring 1987-autumn 1987) period, rates of seroconversion were 0.6 % 2.7 % and 2.1 % respectively. During the first and second period, clinical incidence were 1.0 % and 0.25 % respectively. No active lyme borreliosis was detected during the third period. Among orienteers who seroconverted during the study (n = 16), only two developed clinical symptoms. Hence, Borrelia burgdorferi infection is often asymptomatic.
Publication type
journal article