IntroductionLyme borreliosis/Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is one of the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks.Material and MethodsA total of 136 Ixodes ricinus ticks, collected in the Ternopil (Ukraine) region, including 126 adults (70 females and 56 males), and 10 nymphs were examined. The identification of the species and their developmental form was based on morphological characteristics.ResultsPCR with B5S-Bor and 23S-Bor primers resulted in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA amplification among six ticks (4.4%). The detailed analysis based on the DNA sequencing showed the presence of DNA of Borrelia afzelii in four samples; the remaining two represented Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, although their genospecies were not determined. The research confirmed the dominance of Borrelia afzelii genospecies in the ticks from Ukraine.ConclusionIt seems reasonable to undertake similar research in ticks from other regions of Ukraine. Knowledge in this field can be useful for public health and planning the prevention of tick-borne diseases.

No abstract

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. Literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary 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.

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. Literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness of Lyme borreliosis prevention and exposure to ticks in non-medical students of 2 universities in Ternopil Region (Western Ukraine). Material and methods. The study was conducted by surveying 252 young persons studying at non-medical universities in Ternopil (Western Ukraine

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of changes in IgG anti-C6VlsE concentration in patients treated for lyme borreliosis in relation to clinical manifestations of the disease. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 20 patients from Ternopil and surrounding areas (Western Ukraine) with clinical symptoms of lyme borreliosis. IgG anti-C6VlsE was measured three times: before starting the patients on antibiotic therapy, immediately after its completion and 3-4 months after the end of antibiotic therapy. Results. In 40% of the patients the IgG anti-C6VlsE concentration decreased 3-4 months after the treatment, but only in half of them it was associated with elimination of symptoms. 60% of patients did not show any tendency to decrease in IgG anti-C6VlsE concentrations after 3-4 months after the treatment, and 25% of patients in this group had an improvement in health condition. Conclusions. It cannot be excluded that IgG anti-C6VlsE may be important in the serological evaluation of the efficacy of lyme borreliosis treatment, especially in early stage patients. However, this requires further research, which should be extended to a larger group of patients. It is also important that the assessment of anti-C6VlsE antibody concentration should be performed additionally for a period longer than 4 months from the end of antibiotic therapy.