RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL INFECTIONS CAUSED BY BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AMONG FORESTRY WORKERS AND FARMERS

Background: The aim of the work was to analyse the incidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in forestry workers and farmers major groups occupationally exposed to tick bites. Materials and Methods: The study group included 275 workers (171 foresters and 104 farmers). The control group consisted of 45 people, who have not been occupationally exposed to tick bites. The screening Elisa and Eb tests for the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were performed in all subjects of the study and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi(2) test. Results: The positive results denoting the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were found in 55% of farmers and 28% if forestry occupationally exposed to Lyme borreliosis and coming from the area of South Podlasie Lowland and Lublin Polesie. The differences betweent the forestry workers and the control group (p <= 0.00001) and between farmers and the control group (p <= 0.001) were statistically significant. The species, such as B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis, which have not yet been reported in Poland, are significant etiologic agents of Lyme disease, Conclusion: The risk of occupational exposure to the burgdorferi infection is high for foresters and farmers and the infection with spirochetes is frequently confirmed on the basis of positive results of the Wb test. The presence of specific antibodies against protein antigens of B. spielmanii and B. harvariensis suggest that these bacteria can cause Lyme disease both independently and in participation with other Borrelia species, which influences the development of the clinical manifestations of infection.