title: Evaluation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seroprevalencein the province of Bolu, Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the city center and the province of Bolu, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified sampling method was used to determine the study population. A total of 196 blood samples were collected. A questionnaire was completed by each participant in the study. ELISA was performed and positive serologic results were confirmed using western blotting. Data were analyzed statistically using the chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seropositivity rates of B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG were determined as 14.8% (29/196) and 13.7% (27/196) respectively by ELISA. A total of nine serum samples (4.6%) were found positive for IgG, and seven samples (3.8%) were positive for IgM according to western blotting. Seropositivity rates were found to be higher in people living in rural areas (11.1%), in women (8.3%), in people who were illiterate (10.0%), in people engaged in agriculture (10.8%), and in the age group of 40-60 years (10.0%). No statistically significant difference was found between seropositivity rates and survey data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seroprevalence of Lyme disease was determined in our region. Detection of endemic regions of Lyme disease with determination of seropositivity rates will increase the awareness among clinicians about this disease.
authors: Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Denizli State Hospital, Denizli, Turkey.
authors: Özlem
authors: Ö
authors: Bucak
authors: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Mücahide Esra
authors: ME
authors: Koçoğlu
authors: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Tekin
authors: T
authors: Taş
authors: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
authors: Fırat Zafer
authors: FZ
authors: Mengeloğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Borrelia burgdorferi; Lyme disease; western blotting