title: Occurrence and prevalence of selected zoonotic agents: Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella spiralis and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the population of Polish hunters--results of the study conducted in 2010-2012.
abstract: In Poland the development of the knowledge concerning zoonotic pathogens, of which free-living animals are the reservoir of is gaining in importance both in epidemiological aspect as well as in the context of prevention for improving public health. Dietary habits such as the consumption of forest undergrowth products and wild game meat, and the way of those products being prepared (in the process of barbequing) pose a risk factors of infection with the foodborne pathogens such as Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella spp., and HEV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of infections caused by Trichinella spp., Echinococcus multilocularis, and HEV in the population of Polish hunters, describing their geographical distribution in Poland, and to try to define basic factors, which may contribute to their occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2010-2012 a cross-sectional study was carried out among Polish hunters. A blood samples were collected as well as a survey of 1027 participants recruited in the 16 provinces was also carried out. Serological tests were performed for the presence of specific antibodies against Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella spp. and HEV using commercial or "in home" ELISA tests. In case of positive result for Echinococcus, an Em2plus ELISA or/and western blot test were carried out, and for positive results for IgM for HEV a recomLine HEV IgM test was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the studied population a total number of 2 cases of Echinococcus multilocularis infection were found. Moreover in 47 (4,6%) participants presence of antibodies against Trichinella spp. were found, including 17 positive and 30 borderline results. In 206 persons (25%) IgG anti-HEV antibodies were found (by ELISA test). Geographical diversity in prevalence of both, the Trichinella spp. and HEV cases was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study confirmed presence of zoonotic infections such as Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella spp., and hepatitis E (HEV) among Polish hunters. In the case of Echinococcus multilocularis, and Trichinella spp., it appears that these infections are more common in the studied sample than in the general population. Additionally results on the prevalence of HEV infections indicate a need for further research on the occurrence of the virus in the country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadkowska-Todys
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumann-Popczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wnukowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic and Anima Breeding, Faculty of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw Polish Hunting Association, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Popczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Bożena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kucharczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gołąb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D012307:Risk Factors; D017160:Trichinella spiralis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral