Longterm survey (7 years) in a population at risk for Lyme borreliosis: what happens to the seropositive individuals?

Eur J Epidemiol. 1998 Feb;14(2):117-23. doi: 10.1023/a:1007404620701.

Abstract

In 1986, a 26% seroprevalence of IgG- anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies was observed among 950 orienteers and the incidence of new clinical infections was 0.8%. In 1993, a total of 305 seropositive orienteers were reexamined. During that time, 15 cases (4.9%) of definite/probable Lyme disease occurred in this seropositive group (12 skin manifestations and 3 monoarticular joint manifestations). Among the 12 definite cases, 9 showed new clinical infections (7 EM, 1 acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, 1 arthritis), and 3 were recurrent (2 EM, 1 arthritis). The annual incidence (0.8%) in this seropositive group was identical to the incidence observed among the whole population in 1986. The individual antibody titer decreased slightly but the seroreversion rate was low (7%). Serology was not very helpful in identifying clinical cases and evolutions, and it can be stated, that a positive serology is much more frequent in this risk group than clinical disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrodermatitis / epidemiology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Arthritis, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / immunology*
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Incidence
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lyme Disease / epidemiology*
  • Lyme Disease / immunology
  • Lyme Disease / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sports
  • Switzerland / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G