Seroprevalencia de enfermedad de Lyme en el suroccidente de Asturias / Seroprevalence of Lyme disease in southwest Asturias

INTRODUCCIÓN: Para la correcta interpretación de los marcadores serológicos de la enfermedad de Lyme es muy importante conocer la tasa de infección en el entorno. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la prevalencia de anticuerpos específicos frente a Borrelia burgdorferi en una comarca rural del norte de España. MÉTODOS: Se investigó la presencia de anticuerpos IgG frente a B. burgdorferi mediante un método inmunoenzimático cualitativo en el suero de 1.432 personas divididas en 3 grupos: 316 donantes de sangre, 432 individuos que acudieron al hospital sin causa infecciosa y 684 a los que se solicitó una serología de Lyme como parte del diagnóstico diferencial. En estos últimos se registró la presencia o ausencia de factor de riesgo ocupacional. RESULTADOS: Se detectaron anticuerpos frente a B. burgdorferi en 189 (13,2%) individuos: 16 (5,1%) donantes de sangre, 62 (14,4%) personas que acudían al hospital sin causa infecciosa y 111 (16,2%) personas con diagnóstico diferencial de enfermedad de Lyme (p < 0,0001). En las personas con factor de riesgo ocupacional, la prevalencia fue del 23,5%, cifra que llegó al 45,8% en hombres mayores de 65 años. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia en este estudio es alta y superior a zonas con características similares de nuestro país, pero está en la media de lo publicado en otras regiones europeas. La prevalencia en donantes de sangre es menor que en los otros grupos estudiados. La edad avanzada, el sexo masculino y las prácticas de riesgo ocupacional se relacionan con una mayor prevalencia de enfermedad de Lyme

INTRODUCTION: To correctly interpret the serological markers of Lyme disease, it is very important to determine the region's infection rate. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in a rural district in northern Spain. METHODS: The presence of IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi was determined by qualitative enzyme immunoassay in the serum of 1,432 people divided into 3 groups: 316 blood donors, 432 individuals who attended the hospital without infection and 684 for whom Lyme serology testing was specifically requested as part of a differential diagnosis. In the latter group, the presence or absence of an occupational risk factor was recorded. RESULTS: Antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected in 189 individuals (13.2%): 16 (5.1%) in the blood donors group, 62 (14.4%) in subjects who attended hospital without infection and 111 (16.2%) in subjects in whom a differential diagnosis of Lyme disease was requested (p < 0.0001). In subjects with an occupational risk factor, the prevalence was 23.5%, peaking at 45.8% in men over 65 years. CONCLUSIÓN: Our study showed a high prevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi and higher than that seen in other areas with similar characteristics in Spain. However, our results are similar to those published from other European regions. The prevalence in the blood donors group was lower than that observed in the other groups. Older age, the male gender and occupational risks were associated with a higher prevalence of Lyme disease

Seroprevalence of Lyme disease in southwest Asturias. / Seroprevalencia de enfermedad de Lyme en el suroccidente de Asturias.

INTRODUCTION: To correctly interpret the serological markers of Lyme disease, it is very important to determine the region's infection rate. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in a rural district in northern Spain. METHODS: The presence of IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi was determined by qualitative enzyme immunoassay in the serum of 1,432 people divided into 3groups: 316 blood donors, 432 individuals who attended the hospital without infection and 684 for whom Lyme serology testing was specifically requested as part of a differential diagnosis. In the latter group, the presence or absence of an occupational risk factor was recorded. RESULTS: Antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected in 189 individuals (13.2%): 16 (5.1%) in the blood donors group, 62 (14.4%) in subjects who attended hospital without infection and 111 (16.2%) in subjects in whom a differential diagnosis of Lyme disease was requested (p < 0.0001). In subjects with an occupational risk factor, the prevalence was 23.5%, peaking at 45.8% in men over 65 years. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a high prevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi and higher than that seen in other areas with similar characteristics in Spain. However, our results are similar to those published from other European regions. The prevalence in the blood donors group was lower than that observed in the other groups. Older age, the male gender and occupational risks were associated with a higher prevalence of Lyme disease.