Seroprevalence and seroconversion for tick-borne diseases in a high-risk population in the northeast United States

Zoonotic Infections Among Employees from Great Smoky Mountains and Rocky Mountain National Parks, 2008–2009

“…The seroprevalence of California serogroup viruses (31%), B. henselae (25%), spotted fever group rickettsiae (21%), and flaviviruses (5%), were greater than what is reported in the literature (Yevich et al 1995;Reisen and Chiles 1997;Spach and Koehler 1998;Hilton et al 1999;McCall et al 2001;Marshall et al 2003;Stramer et al 2005). California serogroup bunyavirus infections detected in ROMO predominantly showed specific serological reactivity to Jamestown Canyon virus, consistent with the regional distribution of snow pool mosquito vectors, whereas those detected in GRSM were predominantly seroreactive to La Crosse virus, consistent with the distribution of Aedes triseriatus vectors (Campbell et al 1992).…”

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the United States, 2000–2007: Interpreting Contemporary Increases in Incidence

“…17 Other studies examining background seroprevalence in northern states or among geographically widespread military personnel suggest a seroprevalence of 4% to 6%. 18,19 The diagnosis of RMSF based on a single serologic test, as predominantly occurred during the current study period, may result in the erroneous diagnosis in non-RMSF cases with historical titers from past exposures or with nonspecific cross-reactive IgM class antibodies. The reported sensitivity and specificity of single IgM tests have been reported as low as 23% and 77%, respectively, when compared with testing of IgG in paired sera, for the diagnosis of rickettsial infections in endemic areas.…”

“…The reported sensitivity and specificity of single IgM tests have been reported as low as 23% and 77%, respectively, when compared with testing of IgG in paired sera, for the diagnosis of rickettsial infections in endemic areas. 20 The prevalence of anti-R. rickettsii antibodies appears to increase with age, 18,19 likely as a function of increased risk of exposure to either R. rickettsii or other rickettsial organisms over a lifetime, the effect of historical titers may be higher among adults. In the current study, children had a lower incidence rate compared with adults, but had the highest risk of fatal outcome, in contrast to prior studies that showed the highest incidence among children and placing older adults at greater risk for fatal outcome.…”

Coexistence of antibodies to tick-borne agents of babesiosis and Lyme borreliosis in patients from Cotia county, State of São Paulo, Brazil

“…In this community, in a group of 240 patients diagnosed with Lyme disease, 26 (11%) were coinfected with babesiosis, and 50% of these patients were symptomatic for three months or longer, concluding that patients whith both infections experienced additional manifestations and persistence of illness (Krause et al 1996). Hilton et al (1999) studied sero prevalence and seroconversion for tick borne diseases in a high-risk group in Long Island, NY, searching for antibodies to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. In the population of 671 individuals, 88 (13.2%) presented antibodies to one or more tick borne agents, including 34 (5%) with antibodies to B. burgdorferi.…”