[Seroprevalence of Lyme disease in Navarra, Spain].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To establish the seroprevalence of infection by Borrelia burgdorferi in Navarre (Spain).

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Serum samples of 1,429 individuals considered representative of the population of Navarre were analyzed. The individuals were recruited from a list issued by the government of Navarre. The subjects were stratified according to three variables: age, sex and the health zone to which they belonged. In all cases a written informed consent was obtained.

RESULTS

The global seroprevalence in Navarre was 4.4%. Being a stockbreeder (13.2%) in contact with cows and sheep was found to be a risk factor after the analysis of different variables such as sex, age, contact with cattle, profession, living in rural areas, a prior history of having been bitten by a tick or the size of the city.

CONCLUSIONS

Navarre provides suitable conditions for the prevalence and development of Lyme disease, with a global seroprevalence or 4.4%. No differences were found between the different areas analyzed, while being a stockbreeder represents a risk factor.