title: Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in Bavarian forest workers.
abstract: The sera of 496 forest workers (fw), 44 customs officials and 20 other persons in outdoor professions from different areas of Bavaria were tested for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (strain B 31) by indirect immunofluorescence. In sera previously absorbed with Treponema phagedenis ultrasonicate, significantly elevated IgG antibody titers were found in 69 cases, in 68 fw (13.7%) and 1 custom agent. In accordance with previous observations the distribution of positive results showed a distinct age dependance: under 24 years (y) 1.6% (n = 64), 25-34 y 0 (n = 30), 35-44 y 10.1% (n = 79), 45-54 y 17.4% (n = 190). Infections without manifest illness seem to predominate. In 1 area the number of positive persons was significantly higher than in the other: In Donauries near Illertissen 14 (45%) of 31 probands had elevated IgG titers. This area and the high level regions excepted, no significant differences were demonstrable amongst the 13 regions of Bavaria included in this investigation.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Münchhoff
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilske
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Preac-Mursic
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schierz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology; D001898:Borrelia / Q000276:immunology*; D001899:Borrelia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013987:Ticks
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G