Seroprevalence of borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in province of Bolu,Turkey

Lyme disease is a multisystemic disease which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, located in the city center and the province of Bolu. Stratified sampling method was used for determination of the study population. A total of 196 blood samples were collected to detect the presence of antibodies againts B. burgdorferi. A questionnaire was completed for each participant of the study. At first, ELISA, the screening method for the diagnosis of Lyme disease (Euroimmun, Germany) was performed, and positive serologic results were confirmed using WB (WB, Euroimmun, Germany). Data were analysed statistically using the chi-square test. Seropositivity rates of B.burgdorferi IgM and IgG was determined as 14.8% (29/196) and 13.7% (27/196) respectively by ELISA. A total of nine serum samples (4.6%) were found positive for IgG, and seven samples (3.8%) were positive for IgM using WB. Seropositivity rates were found higher in people living in rural areas (11.1%), in women (8.3%), in people who illiterate (10.0%), in people engaged in agriculture (10.8%) and in the age group of 40-60 (10.0%). No statistically significant relationship was found between demographic information, educational level, history of contact with animals and tick exposure, engaged in agriculture with seropositivity rates. In the present study, the seroprevalence of Lyme disease was determined in our region. Detection of endemic regions of Lyme disease with determination of seropositivity rates will increase the awareness of the clinicians against this disease. Keywords: Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease, Seropositivity, Western Blot, IFA