Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Francisella tularensis Infections in Belgium: Results of Three Population-Based Samples.
To estimate the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap), and Francisella tularensis (Ft) in Belgium, we tested sera from three population-based samples in which exposure to pathogen is assumed to vary: 148 samples from workers professionally exposed, 209 samples from rural blood donors, and 193 samples from urban blood donors. Sera were tested using ELISA or the immunofluorescence assay test. The seroprevalence of Bb was 5.4% in workers professionally exposed, 2.9% in rural blood donors, and 2.6% in urban blood donors, which is similar to other studies. The fraction of negative results decreases significantly from urban blood donors and rural blood donors to workers. Regarding the seroprevalence of Ap, the cutoff titer of 1:64 recommended by the manufacturer may be set too low and produces artificially high seroprevalence rates. Using a cutoff titer of 1:128, the seroprevalence of Ap was estimated at 8.1% for workers professionally exposed, 6.2% for rural blood donors, and 5.7% for urban blood donors. Tularemia sera confirmed the presence of the pathogen in Belgium at 2.0% for workers and 0.5% for rural and urban blood donors. Our study is one of the few providing an estimation of the seroprevalences of Bb, Ap, and Ft in three different populations in Belgium, filling the gap in seroprevalence data among those groups. Our findings provide evidence that the entire Belgian population is exposed to Bb, Ap, and Ft infections, but a higher exposure is noticed for professionals at risk. Education on the risk factors for tick bites and preventive measures for both professionals exposed and the general population is needed.
1 Earth and Life Institute (ELI) , Georges Lemaitre Center for Earth and Climate Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium .|2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium .
Mathilde
M
De Keukeleire
1 Earth and Life Institute (ELI) , Georges Lemaitre Center for Earth and Climate Research, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium .
Sophie O
SO
Vanwambeke
3 Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital , Brussels, Belgium .
Christel
C
Cochez
3 Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital , Brussels, Belgium .
Paul
P
Heyman
4 Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center (CERVA) , Direction opérationnelle des maladies bactériennes, Zoonoses bactériennes des animaux de rente, Brussels, Belgium .
David
D
Fretin
5 Blood Transfusion Service of Mont-Godinne and CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium .
Véronique
V
Deneys
2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium .
Victor
V
Luyasu
6 Division of Clinical Biology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium .
Benoît
B
Kabamba
2 Pôle Epidémiologie et Biostatistique, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Faculté de Santé Publique (FSP), Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) , Brussels, Belgium .
Annie
A
Robert
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D005260:Female; D005604:Francisella tularensis; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014406:Tularemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
Anaplasma; Borrelia burgdorferi; Francisella; serology; tick(s)