The AxBioTick Study: Borrelia Species and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Ticks, and Clinical Responses in Tick-Bitten Individuals on the Aland Islands, Finland
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Published:2023-04-22
Issue:5
Volume:11
Page:1100
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ISSN:2076-2607
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Container-title:Microorganisms
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Microorganisms
Author:
Carlströmer Berthén Nellie12ORCID, Tompa Eszter3ORCID, Olausson Susanne12, Nyberg Clara1, Nyman Dag12, Ringbom Malin14, Perander Linda14, Svärd Joel3, Lindgren Per-Eric35, Forsberg Pia3, Wilhelmsson Peter35, Sjöwall Johanna36ORCID, Nordberg Marika14
Affiliation:
1. Borrelia Research Group of the Aland Islands, 22100 Mariehamn, The Aland Islands, Finland 2. Bimelix AB, 22100 Mariehamn, The Aland Islands, Finland 3. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection, Linkoping University, 581 83 Linkoping, Sweden 4. The Aland Islands Healthcare Services, 22100 Mariehamn, The Aland Islands, Finland 5. Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, County Hospital Ryhov, 551 85 Jonkoping, Sweden 6. Department of Infectious Diseases, Vrinnevi Hospital, 603 79 Norrkoping, Sweden
Abstract
The AxBioTick study was initiated to investigate the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens and their impact on antibody and clinical responses in tick-bitten individuals on the Aland Islands. This geographical area is hyperendemic for both Lyme borreliosis (LB) and Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Blood samples and ticks were collected from 100 tick-bitten volunteers. A total of 425 ticks was collected, all determined to Ixodes ricinus using molecular tools. Of them 20% contained Borrelia species, of which B. garinii and B. afzelii were most common. None contained the TBE virus (TBEV). Blood samples were drawn in conjunction with the tick bite, and eight weeks later. Sera were analyzed for Borrelia- and TBEV-specific antibodies using an ELISA and a semiquantitative antibody assay. In total 14% seroconverted in Borrelia C6IgG1, 3% in TBEV IgG, and 2% in TBEV IgM. Five participants developed clinical manifestations of LB. The high seroprevalence of both Borrelia (57%) and TBEV (52%) antibodies are likely attributed to the endemic status of the corresponding infections as well as the TBE vaccination program. Despite the similar prevalence of Borrelia spp. detected in ticks in other parts of Europe, the infection rate in this population is high. The AxBioTick study is continuing to investigate more participants and ticks for co-infections, and to characterize the dermal immune response following a tick bite.
Subject
Virology,Microbiology (medical),Microbiology
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