Epidemiological studies of borreliosis

Abstract

Background: Borreliosis is one of the most common tick-borne infections worldwide. Borrelia is transmitted by ticks, and infects humans and mammals, causing naturally occurring infectious diseases, which usually manifest as central nervous system, cardiovascular system, skin, mucous membranes and joint diseases. Aim: To detect antibodies to borrelia in the serum of study participants and to examine the risk factors influencing tick infections. Materials and Methods: Our study carried out from 2016 to 2020 year, this was a cross-sectional study with individuals. A total of 4,724 participants were included, and study data were collected through laboratory tests and questionnaires. Anti-Borrelia plus VlsE ELISA (IgG, IgM) kit from EUROIMMUN was used to test for antibodies according to the manufacturer’s instructions, logistic regression analysis and statistical processing of tick-borreliosis risk factors was performed using R software. Results: Based on serum IgG, the prevalence of borreliosis infection was 3.8% (95% CI: 3.2-4.5%) in women and 3.2% (95% CI: 2.2-4.8%, [OR: 1.19, 95% CI : 0.86-1.67]) in men, respectively. Among the unemployed, 3.38% (95% CI: 2.56-4.39) and 4.02% of students were (95% CI: 3.14-5.07%, [OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.58-1.22]) positive for tick-borreliosis among participants. 2.52% (95% CI: 1.39-4.23%), 2.52% (95% CI: 1.39-4.23%) more than self-employed, but herders (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.73-2.66) and self-employed (OR:1.34, 95% CI: 0.73-2.66) was relatively higher risk of borreliosis than other groups. According to serology, Khovd (7.84%, 95% CI: 5.07-11.51%, [OR:0.24, 95% CI: 0.07-0.65; P<0.011]), Zavkhan (13.8%, 95% CI: 10.4-17.8%, [OR:0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.35; P<0.001]), Selenge (5. 3%, 95% CI: 3.2-8.3%, [OR:0.35, 95% CI: 0.1-0.98; P<0.067]) province was positive cases reported in the oblasts had a statistically significant positive correlation compared to other provinces. Conclusion: Borrelia infection was detected in 3.4% (162/4724) in the serum of all individuals who participated in the study, so the risk of infection is highest among livestock herders and self-employed workers. The prevalence of tick-borne borreliosis is 10-15% higher in the western provinces than in the eastern provinces.