Prevalence ofBorrelia burgdorferiinIxodes ricinusTicks in Belgrade Area

Abstract

We have established the prevalence of all three genospecies in the city of Belgrade. Bb sensu lato was found, with the dominance of B. afzelii.

Seroprevalence Of IgG Antibodies Against Borrelia burgdorferi In Dogs In Belgrade Area, Serbia

“…Due to the fact that beside B. burgdorferi s.s., abundant presence of B. afzelii was confi rmed in the Belgrade area [12][13][14] we additionally performed WB with a B. afzelii strain (human skin isolate obtained from University of Ljubljana, Slovenia) where positive reaction presented a reactivity with at least two of nine protein bands (p83/100, p58, p43, p39, p30, OspC, p21, p18/p17 and p14) (criteria of Hauser et al) [18]. A statistical analysis revealed that there was a high compliance of the results of these two WB assays (article in press).…”

“…High seroprevalence of 25% in naturally exposed dogs was confi rmed by different tests (IFA, ELISA and WB) widely used for serology diagnostics of LB. The reported tick infection rate in Belgrade is high [11][12][13], and reported high seroprevalence of anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies in dogs was somewhat expected.…”

“…A high prevalence of borrelia in ticks collected in this area was shown. It ranges from 18.75 to 53.7%, depending on the investigated locality, year and method of detection [11][12][13]. Five different Borrelia genospecies were detected in I. ricinus ticks from the Belgrade region: B. burgdorferi s.s., B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana, and B. lusitaniae [12,13].…”

“…It ranges from 18.75 to 53.7%, depending on the investigated locality, year and method of detection [11][12][13]. Five different Borrelia genospecies were detected in I. ricinus ticks from the Belgrade region: B. burgdorferi s.s., B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana, and B. lusitaniae [12,13]. In addition, three strains belonging to pathogenic B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. afzelii genospecies were isolated from small rodents captured in the Belgrade area [14].…”

Insect repellents - transmissive disease vectors prevention

“…In this region, apart from the Lyme disease, which was discovered in 1987 and transmitted primarily by ticks, we have seen recently the occurrence of tularemia and the increased number of patients with hemorrhagic fever, where ticks are also primary vectors, or one of the possible means of transmitting infectious agents [16][17][18][19] .…”