title: Long-term study of Lyme borreliosis in a highly endemic area in Sweden.
abstract: From May 1991 to May 1994, Lyme borreliosis was studied prospectively in 301 residents living on Aspö, a highly endemic area for the disease. The study included annual questionnaires and blood samples for serology. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 63/301 (21%) of the residents at the start of the study. Seropositivity rates increased with time, and 3 years later 101/301 (34%) were positive. A total of 34 individuals developed physician-verified manifestations of Lyme borreliosis during the study period. Nine individuals developed an erythema migrans, despite a previously treated Lyme borreliosis or pre-existing high levels of IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berglund
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eitrem
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Norrby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M