Objective: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is most commonly transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Alimentary infection through the consumption of TBEV-contaminated dairy products is also well-documented and is responsible for some diseases in endemic areas. The aim of the study was to emphasize the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) by consuming raw milk and dairy products and to describe TBE epidemics in Slovakia for the period 2012-2016.

Objective: This study analyses the differences in birth outcomes between Roma and non-Roma mothers and investigates the potential causes of such differences.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,989 non-Roma and 799 Roma mothers who gave birth in 2014 and 2015 at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. Data on mothers and new-born infants have been obtained from the birth book and from the reports on mothers at childbirth. For low birth weight we considered the weight of a new-born weighing less than 2,500 grams and as for premature birth we referred to childbirth before pregnancy week 37. The file was split by ethnicity and statistically processed in IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0.Results: Our results confirmed a lower birth weight among Roma children (-365.4 grams, p < 0.001). The shorter gestation age and higher risk of premature birth were not statistically significant regarding Roma children. Based on the characteristics of Roma mothers, they are at higher risk of giving birth as minor (OR = 23.64; 95% CI = 15.29-36.54; p < 0.001), as single mothers (OR = 7.13; 95% CI = 5.80-8.76; p < 0.001), with basic education or lack of education (OR = 141.31; 95% CI = 100. 47-198.76; p < 0.001). They also have a higher risk of smoking during pregnancy (OR = 23.84; 95% CI = 18.06-31.49; p < 0.001); drinking alcohol (OR = 11.71; 95% CI = 3.36-40.90; p < 0.001) and taking drugs (OR = 8.70; 95% CI = 1.81-42.02; p < 0.001). Roma women attended gynaecologists more rarely.Conclusion: It is therefore important to support the work of community health workers and stimulate collaboration between community health professionals, paediatricians and gynaecologists to overcome institutional barriers in maternity and child care for mothers living in Roma settlement.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia.Methods: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection. The presence of antibodies against WNV was investigated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the ELISA positive samples were further analysed by a neutralization test with WNV and Usutu virus.Results: Three serum samples (0.65%) from the participants (N = 464) were considered positive for antibodies to WNV. A 29-year-old female was repeatedly exposed to mosquito bites working as a shepherdess and participating in many outdoor activities. Two other females (61 and 76 years old) were treated at the Department of Neurology due to monoparesis of the upper extremity, vertigo; both had a significant epidemiological history with frequent tick and mosquito bites and stay in an endemic region.Conclusions: Although there was no evidence of WNV infection in the Slovak Republic, the epidemiological situation in the neighbouring countries warrants vigilance and appropriate measures, including the introduction of specific diagnostic tools into clinical practice. The constant monitoring of birds and mosquitoes also seems necessary.

Objective: The aim of the presented cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was to determine the current presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. in the groups of Slovak population, and to identify potential risk factors to Lyme borreliosis. Methods: A group of 261 adults (patients from the Neurological Clinic with possible symptoms of LB and healthy persons with possible working exposure to tick bite: gardeners and soldiers working in afforested areas) were examined in order to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia antibodies. Sera were screened by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The respondents completed questionnaires with general demographic, epidemiological and clinical data. Results: We detected 17.2% presence of positive IgG and 5.7% presence of positive IgM antibodies in all investigated groups. Our results confirmed that the following risk factors such as age and gender are significantly associated with the presence of positive specific antibodies against investigated disease. Conclusion: The results of seroprevalence obtained in the present study confirm the possibility of infection with B. burgdorferi among respondents exposed to contact with ticks.

The aim of this seroepidemiological study was to determine the current prevalence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in the representative group of Slovak population with included potential risk factors for TBEV. Methods: Representative group consisted of 428 persons (also with possible exposure to risk factors for tick bite or raw milk consumption). Serum samples were screened by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The persons involved in the study completed questionnaires with general demographic, epidemiological and clinical data. During the analysis, we used linear regression to interpret the influence between selected variables. Results: We detected 1.2% prevalence of positive IgG and 1.6% prevalence of positive IgM antibodies in all tested groups. Our results also confirmed that the following risk factors such as tourism, hunting, fishing, and consumption of raw milk are significantly associated with the prevalence of specific antibodies against TBEV. Conclusion: The results of seroprevalence obtained by this study confirm the possibility of infection with TBEV among respondents exposed to possible contact with ticks.