Małgorzata Tokarska-Rodak1, Dorota Plewik2, Aleksander J Michalski3, Marcin Kołodziej3, Alicja Mełgieś3, Anna Pańczuk4, Henryk Konon1, Marcin Niemcewicz3. 1. Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Science, Poland. 2. Innovation Research Centre, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, Poland. 3. Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Center, Pulawy, Poland. 4. Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Many etiological agents of zoonoses are considered as significant biological hazard to people visiting forested areas frequently, for instance, hunters. They may be exposed to ticks, rodents, and birds as well as excreta/secretions of wild animals or contaminated water and soil. Hence, this population is at risk of contracting infection with pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis, Echinococcus spp., or hantaviruses. The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of zoonotic agents, viz. A. phagocytophilum, hantaviruses, and Echinococcus spp., with special regard to B. burgdorferi s.l., among hunters in Lubelskie Voivodeship (eastern Poland). METHODS: Serum samples collected from 134 hunters from Lubelskie Voivodeship were analyzed with the use of immunological techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, line immunoblot test, and indirect fluorescence assay) for the presence of antibodies against the agents. RESULTS: Specific antibodies were detected in 66% of the tested individuals. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. (39%), A. phagocytophilum (30%), hantaviruses (9%), and Echinococcus spp. (8%) were detected individually or as mixed results. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results confirm that there is a risk of exposure to different pathogens in the forested areas in eastern Poland and that hunters are highly vulnerable to infection with the examined zoonotic agents. A significant proportion of co-occurring antibodies against different pathogens was noticed. Thus, hunters have to take special care of their health status evaluation and mitigate the exposure risk by using adequate prophylaxis measures.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Many etiological agents of zoonoses are considered as significant biological hazard to people visiting forested areas frequently, for instance, hunters. They may be exposed to ticks, rodents, and birds as well as excreta/secretions of wild animals or contaminated water and soil. Hence, this population is at risk of contracting infection with pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis, Echinococcus spp., or hantaviruses. The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of zoonotic agents, viz. A. phagocytophilum, hantaviruses, and Echinococcus spp., with special regard to B. burgdorferi s.l., among hunters in Lubelskie Voivodeship (eastern Poland). METHODS: Serum samples collected from 134 hunters from Lubelskie Voivodeship were analyzed with the use of immunological techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, line immunoblot test, and indirect fluorescence assay) for the presence of antibodies against the agents. RESULTS: Specific antibodies were detected in 66% of the tested individuals. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. (39%), A. phagocytophilum (30%), hantaviruses (9%), and Echinococcus spp. (8%) were detected individually or as mixed results. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results confirm that there is a risk of exposure to different pathogens in the forested areas in eastern Poland and that hunters are highly vulnerable to infection with the examined zoonotic agents. A significant proportion of co-occurring antibodies against different pathogens was noticed. Thus, hunters have to take special care of their health status evaluation and mitigate the exposure risk by using adequate prophylaxis measures.
Authors: Victor Lizana; Ana Muniesa; Jesús Cardells; Jordi López-Ramon; Jordi Aguiló-Gisbert; Juan M Lomillos; Christian Gortázar Journal: Foods Date: 2022-01-27
Authors: Małgorzata Tokarska-Rodak; Marcin Weiner; Monika Szymańska-Czerwińska; Anna Pańczuk; Krzysztof Niemczuk; Jacek Sroka; Mirosław Różycki; Wojciech Iwaniak Journal: Pol J Microbiol Date: 2018-06-30