Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus ticks and human granulocytic anaplasmosis seroprevalence among forestry rangers in Białystok region.
OBJECTIVE
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, former ehrlichiosis, is a tick-borne zoonosis of increasing recognition. The aim of the study was: 1) to assess the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in recreational forests in Bialystok vicinity, the capital of podlaskie voivodship; 2) to evaluate the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to A. phagocytophilum among forestry rangers from the same region.


RESULTS
Of the 372 ticks examined, 54 (14.5%) yield the positive PCR reaction. The highest prevalence was detected in females, up to 27.8% (37/133), almost one third lower in males--9.2% (13/142), followed by nymphs--4.1% (4/97). Human seropositivity study revealed IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum in 9 out of 231 individuals (3.9%). No IgM antibodies were found. Sixty-seven individuals 67/231 (29%) reported erythema migrans. IgM anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies were detected in 32 out of 121 (26.4%) persons tested, IgG--in 43 out of 231 (18.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
The data obtained show relatively low A. phagocytophilum seroreactivity among professionally exposed to tick group of forestry workers despite high A. phagocytophilum infection level in the competent vector--I. ricinus ticks.
Grzeszczuk
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Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, Poland. oliwa@amb.edu.pl
D000328:Adult; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D016468:Forestry; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M