Åshild Marvik1, Yngvar Tveten2, Anne-Berit Pedersen1, Karin Stiasny3, Åshild Kristine Andreassen4,5, Nils Grude1,6. 1. Department of Microbiology, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. 2. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway. 3. Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. 4. Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. 5. Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-eastern Norway, Bø, Norway. 6. The Antibiotic Centre of Primary Care, Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) constitutes a public health concern in Europe. Certain coastal municipalities in southern Norway are considered TBE risk areas and in the last two years, there have been increasing numbers of TBE cases. Since the majority of infections are claimed to be asymptomatic, the aim of the current study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) among unvaccinated adults living in a TBE endemic area in Norway. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and twenty-three blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county were included and associated sera were analysed for TBEV IgG antibodies. Information regarding tick bites, previous flavivirus exposure and knowledge regarding TBE and TBE prevention were obtained through a questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-eight samples were reactive by ELISA, of which 21 (36.2%) were confirmed by a TBEV-specific serum neutralization test. Of the 21 blood donors with neutralizing TBEV antibodies detected, 17 reported previous TBE vaccination. Thus, only four blood donors (0.4%) had TBEV neutralizing antibodies consistent with previously undergone TBEV infection. Regarding TBE awareness, half of the blood donors were familiar with TBE, but only 35% were aware of a preventive TBE vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates low prevalence of subclinical TBEV infections among blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county and there is a lack of awareness among general public.
BACKGROUND:Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) constitutes a public health concern in Europe. Certain coastal municipalities in southern Norway are considered TBE risk areas and in the last two years, there have been increasing numbers of TBE cases. Since the majority of infections are claimed to be asymptomatic, the aim of the current study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) among unvaccinated adults living in a TBE endemic area in Norway. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and twenty-three blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county were included and associated sera were analysed for TBEV IgG antibodies. Information regarding tick bites, previous flavivirus exposure and knowledge regarding TBE and TBE prevention were obtained through a questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-eight samples were reactive by ELISA, of which 21 (36.2%) were confirmed by a TBEV-specific serum neutralization test. Of the 21 blood donors with neutralizing TBEV antibodies detected, 17 reported previous TBE vaccination. Thus, only four blood donors (0.4%) had TBEV neutralizing antibodies consistent with previously undergone TBEVinfection. Regarding TBE awareness, half of the blood donors were familiar with TBE, but only 35% were aware of a preventive TBE vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates low prevalence of subclinical TBEVinfections among blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county and there is a lack of awareness among general public.
Authors: Mircea Coroian; Andrei Daniel Mihalca; Gerhard Dobler; Kathrin Euringer; Philipp Girl; Silvia-Diana Borșan; Zsuzsa Kalmár; Violeta Tincuța Briciu; Mirela Flonta; Adriana Topan; Amanda Lelia Rădulescu; Andrei Ungur; Mihaela Sorina Lupșe Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-04 Impact factor: 4.614