title: Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among forestry rangers in northern and northeastern Poland.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum in a group of workers from 13 forest management areas of northern and northeastern Poland. A total of 478 sera were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Elevated IgG antibody titers were detected in 46 samples (9.6%). Of these, 34 (73.9%) had a titer of 1:64, 7 (15.2%) 1:128, and 5 (10.9%) 1:256. All seropositive persons disclaimed any clinical symptoms of HGA. The antibodies prevalent in persons with extreme outdoor activity and in indoor workers was comparable-9.6 % and 9.7%, respectively. Moreover, participants had no statisfically significant differences in the prevalence of antibodies related to sex, age, or years of employment.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Gdańsk, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, 9 B Powstania Styczniowego street, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland. astan@amg.gda.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stańczak
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzeszczuk
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016468:Forestry; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies