Study on , and Infection in Veterinarians from Poland.

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to zoonotic factors in veterinary practice is closely related to the nature of the work. The main aim of the study was to determine the risk of selected zoonotic infections among the occupational group of veterinarians in Poland.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood samples of 373 veterinarians (162 males and 211 females) from 12 provinces of Poland were collected by the venipuncture of a forearm for serological tests. Commercial immunoenzymatic tests (ELISA) were used for detection of specific IgG antibodies to , IgM and IgG to spp., and IgM, IgA, and I and II phase IgG to . Enzyme-linked fluorescence assays (ELFA) were used to detect IgM and IgG antibodies to .

RESULTS

Positive results were found in 209 (56.0%) veterinarians for at least one of the examined diseases. The overall proportion of participants found to have specific antibodies in the IgM and/or IgG assays amounted to 44.5%. The presence of antibodies was found in 16 (4.3%) subjects, while spp. antibodies were detected in 63 (16.9%) veterinarians. Among the 373 veterinarians examined, no antibodies were found.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study seem to indicate a slightly elevated risk of infection and a moderate risk of infection with spp. and in veterinarians.