title: Serological surveillance of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases among hunters in eastern Poland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many etiological agents of zoonoses are considered as significant biological hazard to people visiting forested areas frequently, for instance, hunters. They may be exposed to ticks, rodents, and birds as well as excreta/secretions of wild animals or contaminated water and soil. Hence, this population is at risk of contracting infection with pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis, Echinococcus spp., or hantaviruses. The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of zoonotic agents, viz. A. phagocytophilum, hantaviruses, and Echinococcus spp., with special regard to B. burgdorferi s.l., among hunters in Lubelskie Voivodeship (eastern Poland).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples collected from 134 hunters from Lubelskie Voivodeship were analyzed with the use of immunological techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, line immunoblot test, and indirect fluorescence assay) for the presence of antibodies against the agents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific antibodies were detected in 66% of the tested individuals. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. (39%), A. phagocytophilum (30%), hantaviruses (9%), and Echinococcus spp. (8%) were detected individually or as mixed results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm that there is a risk of exposure to different pathogens in the forested areas in eastern Poland and that hunters are highly vulnerable to infection with the examined zoonotic agents. A significant proportion of co-occurring antibodies against different pathogens was noticed. Thus, hunters have to take special care of their health status evaluation and mitigate the exposure risk by using adequate prophylaxis measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Science, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokarska-Rodak
authors.affiliation: Innovation Research Centre, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plewik
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Michalski
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kołodziej
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mełgieś
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pańczuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Science, Poland.
authors.forename: Henryk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Konon
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niemcewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth