Clinical manifestations and antibody prevalence of Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis in Sweden: a study in five endemic areas close to Stockholm.
Five populations, including 903 individuals living in 5 different areas close to Stockholm, were studied with regard to clinical manifestations and antibody prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The study areas involved 4 groups of islands in the Baltic Sea and 1 island in Lake Mälaren. Serum samples from each individual were tested for antibody activity to Borrelia burgdorferi using a sonicated whole spirochete antigen in an ELISA, and to TBE-virus (TBEV) by ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition. A history of LB was reported by 1-21% and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were found in 7-29% of the participants from the various areas. An increasing seroprevalence with age was seen. In sera from 3 different control groups, including 502 individuals living in non-endemic areas, antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in 1-2% and from 1 control group including 150 individuals living in the city of Stockholm, in 9%. A history of TBE was reported by 0-6% of the individuals and in non-immunized individuals seropositivity was seen in 4-22%, depending on the area investigated. No antibody activity to TBEV could be detected in sera from persons in the 3 control groups living in non-endemic areas, whereas 5% of the controls from Stockholm were found to be positive. The prevalence rates of antibodies to TBEV in persons vaccinated against TBE were 40%, 53% and 79% after 1, 2 and 3 injections, respectively.
Gustafson
R
R
Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Forsgren
M
M
Gardulf
A
A
Granström
M
M
Svenungsson
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / Q000276:immunology; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014765:Viral Vaccines