Ngoc Kim, Trifonova Iva, Gladnishka Teodora, Taseva Evgenia, Panayotova Elitsa, Vladimirova Iva, Ivanova Vladislava, Kuteva Eleonora, Christova Iva
Department of Microbiology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Pathogens. 2024 Sep 2;13(9):754. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13090754.
(LB), a tick-borne infection caused by bacteria in the sensu lato complex, is increasingly prevalent on the Balkan Peninsula, including Bulgaria, where it is the most common tick-borne disease. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of LB across Bulgaria by analyzing 1892 serum samples for specific IgG antibodies using a two-tier testing protocol involving an ELISA and immunoblot methods. The results revealed an overall seroprevalence rate of 5.4%, with significant variation based on age, sex, and residence. Seroprevalence increased with age, peaking at 8.4% in individuals over 65 years. Males had a seroprevalence of 8.4% compared to 3.3% in females, and rural residents showed higher seroprevalence (10.2%) compared to urban residents (4.4%). Regional analysis indicated that seroprevalence ranged from 0.0% to 20.0%, with higher rates in northern provinces such as Gabrovo (18.9%) and Targovishte (20.0%). This study highlights the importance of two-step testing protocols for accurate diagnosis and underscores the need for increased awareness and further research to enhance public health measures and the management of LB in Bulgaria.
莱姆病（LB）是一种由狭义伯氏疏螺旋体复合群中的细菌引起的蜱传感染，在巴尔干半岛（包括保加利亚）日益普遍，在保加利亚它是最常见的蜱传疾病。本研究旨在通过使用包括酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）和免疫印迹法的两步检测方案分析1892份血清样本中的特异性IgG抗体，评估保加利亚全国范围内莱姆病的血清阳性率。结果显示总体血清阳性率为5.4%，且因年龄、性别和居住地不同存在显著差异。血清阳性率随年龄增长而升高，65岁以上人群中达到峰值8.4%。男性血清阳性率为8.4%，而女性为3.3%，农村居民的血清阳性率（10.2%）高于城市居民（4.4%）。区域分析表明，血清阳性率在0.0%至20.0%之间，北部省份如加布罗沃（18.9%）和特尔戈维什泰（20.0%）的血清阳性率较高。本研究强调了两步检测方案对准确诊断的重要性，并强调需要提高认识和进一步开展研究，以加强保加利亚的公共卫生措施和莱姆病管理。
