Seroepidemiological study on Francisella tularensis in forestry workers and farmers
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2014, Vol 20, Issue 4
Abstract
[b] introduction[/b]. Tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) rods, is a highly contagious zoonosis with a serious prognosis, especially in its peritoneal form. [b]Aim[/b]. Considering the affinity of F. tularensis bacteria to the water environment, the objective of the study was to conduct sero-epidemiologic studies for tularemia rods among population groups at occupational risk, living and performing work activities in post-flooded areas and in the vicinity of these areas. [b]material and method[/b]. The examinations covered 101 farmers, 36 forestry workers, and 41 people from a control group. In all the people examined, the level of specific IgM and IgG class antibodies was determined using a commercial Virion-Serion (Germany) ELISA test. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test. [b]results[/b]. Among farmers, the percentage of seropositive results in IgM and IgG classes was similar: 10.9% and 8.9%, respectively, and in forestry workers – 11.2% and 2.8%, respectively. In the sera of people of the control group, the percentage of positive results in IgM and IgG amounted 9.7% and 7.3%, respectively. Statistical analysis did not show any statistically significant differences in these results between farmers and the control group, and between forestry workers and the control group. [b]conclusions[/b]. The study confirmed the risk of infection with Francisella tularensis rods in the environments of forest exploitation, agricultural work, as well as in the urban environment. It is justifiable to carry out environmental studies for Francisella tularensis (investigation of ticks and rodents) in the forest areas and in agricultural work, as well as undertaking prophylactic actions (health education), both among people from the groups at occupational risk, and those living and performing work in the urban environment.
Authors and Affiliations
Ewa Cisak, Angelina Wójcik-Fatla, Violetta Zając, Jacek Dutkiewicz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP58411
- DOI -
- Views 188
- Downloads 0
Clinical manifestation of urolithiasis in children aged under 3 years – a retrospective epidemiological analysis
Introduction: Urolithiasis diagnosed among children aged under 3 years of age concerns 20% of the total number of cases of urolithiasis in children. The symptoms of the disease are very nonspecific, with the major sympto...
Vaccinations - necessity, choice or need?
Effect of Finnish sauna baths on the white blood cells count in physically active young males
Introduction. Sauna treatments, often used in sports and recreation, are now of interest to a wide range of researchers.The aim of the study was to determine the effect of single and repeated Finnish sauna baths on plasm...
Knowledge of nurses from the Regions of Lublin and Rzeszów concerning breast cancer risk factors
Introduction. In 2008 in Poland, breast cancer was the second cause of mortality among women, and the first among cases of cancer. Such unfavourable results are due to the late diagnosis of breast cancer, and still low p...
Diagnosis of lymphadenopathy based on a case report
A women aged 80 was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in order to perform the diagnostics of enlarged lymph nodes. Diagnostic examinations covered chest X-ray, cervical and abdominal ultrasonography, spira...