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Seroprevalence of antibodies to B orrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy adults from western N orway: risk factors and methodological aspects
Author(s) -
Hjetland Reidar,
Nilsen Roy M.,
Grude Nils,
Ulvestad Elling
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/apm.12267
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , borrelia burgdorferi , sensu , antibody , western blot , lyme borreliosis , borrelia , tick , immunology , population , biology , virology , medicine , serology , ecology , environmental health , biochemistry , gene , genus
The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to B orrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in a healthy adult population from S ogn and F jordane county in western N orway by different assays. Sera from 1213 blood donors at four different blood banks were analysed in Enzygnost Lyme link VlsE/IgG (IgG), Enzygnost Borreliosis IgM (IgM), and Immunetics C6 Lyme ELISA kit (C6). Sera showing positive or grey‐zone reactivities were further examined with Borrelia‐ EUROL ine‐ RN ‐ AT IgG blot and Borrelia‐ EUROL ine‐ RN ‐ AT IgM blot. The seroprevalences were 9.6%, 8.2%, 8.4%, 6.4% and 5.7%, respectively. The seroprevalence for IgG was lower in the eastern part of the county and in owners of pet animals. It was higher in men, and increased with age and number of tick bites. C6 and IgG gave comparable results. IgM only was found in 4.5%, more often in women, did not increase with age, and showed no relationship with geography, and 56.4% were positive in IgM blot. In conclusion, antibodies to B . burgdorferi s.l. are common in blood donors in western N orway. The results may be used for evaluation of predictive values of test results in patients, as well as a basis for test algorithms in the laboratory.