Occupational risk of infections with Borrelia burgdorferi in agricultural and forestry workers?

An epidemiological seroprcvalence study was performed to test the hypothesis that there is an increased occupational or leisure time risk of Borrelia burgdorferi infections in southwestern Germany. Bs a second objective serological results obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence test (IFT) were compared. Test results obtained by means of ELISA and IFT differed greatly (by a factor of about 3). This must be kept in mind, when absolute prevalence rates (from different studies) are interpreted. This is less important if relations of prevalences obtained in one study are analysed. In both forestry and agricultural workers a significantly higher anti-B. burgdorferi-seroprevalence could be demonstrated. Thus, these two groups bear an increased risk of B. burgdorferi-infections due to their occupational exposure to ticks.