title: High seroprevalence for indigenous spotted fever group rickettsiae in forestry workers from the federal state of Brandenburg, Eastern Germany.
abstract: In the last decade six Rickettsia species, including Rickettsia slovaca have been characterized in Germany. All of these species could be linked to distinct clinical syndromes in humans. However, due to lack of seroepidemiological data an estimation of the prevalence and the public health impact of rickettsial infections in Germany is difficult. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in a population with an elevated exposure risk to ticks. For that purpose, 559 sera of forestry workers in the federal state of Brandenburg, Eastern Germany, were screened for SFG-rickettsiae reactive IgG antibodies. Positive sera were subsequently titrated by microimmunofluorescence assay against R. helvetica, R. raoultii, R. felis, "R. monacensis" and R. slovaca. The total average IgG seroprevalence rate against SFG rickettsiae of 27.5% was found to be represented by 9.7% R. helvetica, 5% R. raoultii, 2.7% R. felis, 0.5% "R. monacensis" and 0.5% R. slovaca. The remaining 9.1% positive test results were of non-differentiable origin. IgG seroprevalences ranged from 11% to 55% in the different forestry districts. Older and male participants had a significantly higher probability for seropositivity and higher anti-rickettsia antibody titer level. In addition, the number of recent as well as the recalled lifetime tick bites was significantly associated with seropositivity and higher titers against SFG rickettsiae. In conclusion, we found an unexpected high total seroprevalence against SFG rickettsiae in forestry workers and serological evidence confirming the occurrence of R. raoultii, R. felis, "R. monacensis" and R. helvetica in the federal State of Brandenburg.
authors: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany. Electronic address: silkewoelfel@bundeswehr.org.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Wölfel
authors: Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Speck
authors: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Essbauer
authors: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany.
authors: Bryan R
authors: BR
authors: Thoma
authors: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Mertens
authors: Institut für Arbeits- und Sozialhygiene Stiftung, Kyritz, Germany.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Werdermann
authors: Department of Neurology, Bergmannstrost Hospital, Halle/Saale, Germany.
authors: Olaf
authors: O
authors: Niederstrasser
authors: Seqirus, Germany.
authors: Eckhardt
authors: E
authors: Petri
authors: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
authors: Rainer G
authors: RG
authors: Ulrich
authors: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany.
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Wölfel
authors: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Dobler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D000073605:Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Dermacentor; Epidemiology; Forestry workers; Germany; Microimmunofluorescence assay; Rickettsia