engleski

Viral and Bacterial zoonoses in forestry workers

Zoonoses are infections, which are transmissible under natural conditions from vertebrate animal to humans. Many animal infections can be transmitted to humans if conditions are suitable. Zoonotic infections are common among forestry workers and the risk is increased in some endemic regions for particular diseases. Aims: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of zoonosis caused by different viruses (tick borne encephalitis virus-TBEV ; lymphocite choriomeningitis virus-LCMV, hantaviruses-HTV) and bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) among forestry workers as well as to detect the risk factors for their transmission. Tested population and methods: We tested sera of 295 forestry workers in seven different administrative forestry units (regions of Nova Gradiška and Slavonski Brod) for the presence of specific IgG antibodies to TBEV, LCMV, HTV and Borrelia burgdorferi. For that purpose we used several different serological tests: ELISA, IFA and western blot. Additionally, each worker was interviewed with epidemiological questionnaire. Results: In 36.4% foresters, we detected specific IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Although Borrelia burgdorferi and TBEV are transmitted by the same species of ticks (Ixodes), we have almost ten times less (3, 4 %) of the foresters who had previous infections with TBEV. Nova Gradiška and Slavonski Brod are known as endemic regions for hantaviruses (HTNV). However, such high percentage of foresters (16.3%) infected with hantaviruses was unexpected. So far, we did not have any frank evidence about the infection with LCMV in Croatia. The 5.8% of foresters previously infected with LCMV strongly indicate the circulation of the virus in Croatia. Conclusions: The evidence that about 1/3 of tested foresters were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi suggested that forestry workers should use more repellents for their protection. To prevent or to determine the possible chronic sequels in early phase, forestry workers should have regular medical examinations. TBEV is not considered to be of great epidemiological importance in this region. On the contrary, the high percentage of infections with hantaviruses indicated that additional epidemiological measures as well as education of forestry workers about the risk of HTV transmission should be established. For better determination of infections with LCMV in Croatia, we need to establish additional epidemiological and clinical analysis.

zoonoses; forestry workers

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