Prevalence of antibodies against selected zoonotic agents in forestry workers from eastern and southern Poland

Introduction and objective. Due to the nature of their work, foresters are exposed to many infectious pathogens from the wildlife reservoir. The primary aim of this study was to assess their contact with these pathogens. Material and methods. Sera and antibodies, mainly of IgG class against selected infectious factors, collected from a group of 216 employees of National Forests from eastern and southern Poland, were investigated. Results. Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in 64 sera (29.6%), to Bartonella spp. in 133 sera (61.6%), to Babesia microti in 50 sera (23.1%), and to Coxiella bunetii in 14 sera (6.4%); 7 sera (3.2%) were positive to Francisella tularensis. In studies of diseases not carried by ticks positive results were found in 28 sera (12.9%) to Toxocara canis, 13 sera (6.0 %) to Trichinella spiralis, and in 7 sera (3.2%) to Echinococcus granulosus. Antibodies to Hanta viruses were detected with antigens from Puumala and Dobrava/Hantaan strains in both IgM and IgG class. In 9 foresters, positive results were found, including one positive result to 2 antigens, 5 to Dobrava/Hantaan antigen and 3 to Puumala antigen. Conclusion. Frequently higher percentages of positive results were found in people working outdoors, and in men when compared with women.