title: Longitudinal study of Lyme borreliosis in a high risk population in Switzerland.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zhioua
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gern
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aeschlimann
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sauvain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van der Linden
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fahrer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001096:Arachnid Vectors; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015787:Erythema Chronicum Migrans / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013987:Ticks
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial