SEROLOGICAL RESEARCH TOWARDS LYME BORRELIOSIS IN HUNTERS AND FORESTRY WORKERS IN SELECTED AREAS OF POLAND AND UKRAINE

Background. The study aimed to analyse the prevalence of antibodies to specific Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in hunters from the area of Lublin Province (Poland) and forestry workers from the vicinity of Ternopil (Ukraine).

Material and methods. The study group included 240 hunters, members of the hunting clubs in Lublin Province (Poland), aged 23-80 and 339 forestry workers employed in the 5 forest districts subordinated to the Ternopil Regional Administration of Forestry and Hunting, aged 18-76. All persons were given anti-B. burgdorferi IgM/IgG antibodies (ELISA test and Western blot).

Results. Positive anti-B. burgdorferi IgM/IgG results were found in 21.7% of the hunters and 31.9% of the forestry workers. The occurrence of positive results in anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies depends significantly (p<0.02) on the area of the tested persons from Ukraine and was higher in the Berezhany district − 48.2% and the Buchach district − 47.5%.

Conclusions. Because of the high exposure to tick bites and the possibility of B. burgdorferi infection, it is justified and desirable to strive to implement a full two-step diagnostic approach to Lyme disease in forestry workers in Ukraine. Further, it is particularly vital to undertake extensive educational and diagnostic activities, especially in the Berezhany and Buchach districts. Finally, it would be beneficial to implement systemic solutions in this regard also in hunters due to the ever-increasing number of this professional group each year.