BORRELIA-BURGDORFERI SL AND EHRLICHIA-CHAFFEENSIS IN THE NATIONAL-PARK OF ABRUZZO

The aims of the present study were (a) to determine the presence of Ix odes ricinus in three different areas of the National Park of Abruzzo; (b) to search for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the collect ed sample of Ixodes; (c) to determine the seroprevalence of B. burgdor feri antibodies and E. chaffeensis antibodies in inhabitants of the pa rk and in park workers. The presence of B. burgdorferi in Ixodes was c hecked by PCR. For the detection of antibodies to B. burgdorferi all s era were assayed by ELISA as screening test and by Western blot as con firmatory test For the detection of antibodies to E. chaffeensis all s era were assayed by IFA. Antibodies to B. burgdorferi were present in 9.1% of the park workers, 4.5% were confirmed positive by the IgG West ern blot test. None of the inhabitants of the park was positive. Antib odies against E. chaffeensis is were found in 4.5% of the park workers and 8% of the inhabitants of the park. The results obtained in the co llecting of the ticks seem to show that the presence of I. ricinus in the park territory is rather discontinuous and small in number, theref ore it is not epidemiologically significant for the transmission of B. burgdorferi sensu late. Serological study for Ehrlichia revealed a hi gh frequency of E chaffeensis antibodies in the park inhabitants and a lower prevalence in the park workers. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.