Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Lyme Borreliosis in The Netherlands: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Hoeve-Bakker, B. J. A.; Berg, Oda E. van den; Doppenberg, H. S.; Klis, Fiona R.M. van der; Wijngaard, Cees C. van den; Kluytmans, Jan; Thijsen, Steven; Kerkhof, Karen

doi:10.3390/microorganisms11041081

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…The overall incidence rate in Poland was estimated as 53.7 in 2019 [6]. In the current study, the seroprevalence was higher among men compared to women and increased with the age of participants, which is in accordance with studies of the general population of The Netherlands [30] and most of the studies in European countries, as demonstrated in the review paper by Burn et al [31]. In turn, LB cases were more common among women (55.7%) than men during 2015-2019 in Poland [32].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Zając,

Sroka,

Wójcik-Fatla

2023

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and Objective. Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most frequent tick-borne disease with 17,338 cases reported in Poland in 2022. Since research on a LB vaccine is still ongoing, the promotion of individual behaviours and limiting of tick exposure is one of the most effective ways to prevent LB. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the LB prevention programme by assessing the knowledge, practice behaviours, seroprevalence of LB and satisfaction among the population of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland. Materials and method. The prevention programme was carried out among 2,920 participants who were asked about their exposure to ticks, history of LB and prevention behaviours. Awareness of knowledge was evaluated before and after training. Seroprevalence of LB was rated by ELISA and immunoblot assays. Results. Over 73% of participants reported tick bites in their lifetime, without significant differences between rural and urban area inhabitants. More than 80% of individuals declared that they use protective measures (PPM), such as proper clothes and body checking; repellents were the least frequently used by participants. The diagnosis of LB but not tick bites in a lifetime influenced the more frequent use of PPM. Increase in knowledge was observed in 86% of participants after education, and the highest knowledge was noted among respondents with higher education. The seroprevalence of anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies was 37% and was higher among men than women (40% vs. 36%). Conclusions. The population of Lublin Province is highly exposed to tick bites and infection with B. burgdorferi. The high seroprevalence and increase in knowledge confirmed the effectiveness and need for preventive programmes. These results can be useful for optimizing and enhancing the effects of future prevention campaigns.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Zając,

Sroka,

Wójcik-Fatla

2023

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Evaluation of different standard and modified two-tier testing strategies for the laboratory diagnosis of lyme borreliosis in a European setting

Hoeve-Bakker,

Kerkhof,

Heron

et al. 2024

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis

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Background Diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) relies on clinical symptoms and detection of Borrelia -specific antibodies. Guidelines recommend a two-tier testing (TTT) strategy for disseminated LB: serological screening with a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and confirmation with a specific immunoblot. Searching for the most sensitive and specific approach, this retrospective study evaluated standard (STTT) and modified (MTTT) strategies using a well-defined study population. Methods Cases included patients with active Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB; n = 29) or Lyme arthritis (LA; n = 17). Controls comprised patients treated for LNB ( n = 36) or LA ( n = 8), healthy individuals who were either untreated ( n = 75) or treated for LB ( n = 15) in the past, and patients with potentially cross-reactive diseases ( n = 16). Sera were subjected to three EIAs and two immunoblots. Reactive screening results were confirmed by immunoblot (STTT) or EIA (MTTT). Solitary IgM results in the screening assay and effects of antibiotic treatment on isotype-specific seropositivity rates were also assessed. Results Sensitivities of STTT strategies ranged from 90%–97% for LNB and were 100% for LA. MTTT strategies were 100% sensitive. Specificities ranged from 89%–95% for STTT and from 88%–93% for MTTT strategies. Differences between STTT and MTTT strategies were not statistically significant. Solitary IgM reactivity was common among controls. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced IgM/IgG positivity for LNB patients; for LA patients, a decline was only observed for IgM. Conclusion In conclusion, MTTT strategies showed a slightly higher sensitivity and similar specificity compared to STTT strategies. Since EIAs are more time- and cost-efficient, MTTT strategies seem more favorable for clinical use. IgG testing enhances specificity with minimal sensitivity loss.

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Borrelia burgdorferi infections in children and adolescents in Switzerland – a seroprevalence study 2023/2024 (BOBUINCA)

Heeb,

Fritschi,

Marten

et al. 2024

Infection

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Background Lyme borreliosis is one of the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in Europe. Studies on seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi IgG antibodies in children are rare. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi IgG antibodies in children and adolescents residing in North-Western Switzerland and neighbouring countries. Methods Prospective cross-sectional observational single-centre study using left-over plasma of asymptomatic paediatric patients. Included were children aged 1–17 years living in North-Western Switzerland and bordering areas of France and Germany. Excluded were children with symptoms of Lyme borreliosis or a chronic disease possibly affecting plasma antibodies (immunodeficiency syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus) or with such medication (e.g., intravenous immunoglobuline treatment, allogenic stem cell transplantation, immunosuppressive treatment) as well as refugees seeking asylum. IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi were measured by ELISA and positive or borderline results by line blot. Positivity was defined as scenario 1: ELISA positive/line blot positive or borderline OR ELISA borderline/line blot positive. Scenario 2: ELISA positive or borderline/line blot positive. A multivariable logistic regression model for seropositivity was applied. Results 962 children were included (mean age 9.63 years, standard deviation 5.01, 54.5% males). Seroprevalence for scenario 1 was 13.3% (95% CI: 11.2–15.6) and for scenario 2 11.2% (95% CI: 9.3–13.4). Seroprevalence (scenario 1) was comparable for age groups, sex and rural versus urban residence. Conclusion This study shows an increased seroprevalence for B. burgdorferi in the paediatric age compared to previous childhood studies. We also found an increased risk for B. burgdorferi infection at young age.

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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Lyme Borreliosis in The Netherlands: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 28 publications

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Evaluation of different standard and modified two-tier testing strategies for the laboratory diagnosis of lyme borreliosis in a European setting

Borrelia burgdorferi infections in children and adolescents in Switzerland – a seroprevalence study 2023/2024 (BOBUINCA)

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