Incidence of Lyme borreliosis following Ixodes ricinus tick bites in Poland: a citizen science approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of developing Lyme borreliosis (LB) following a tick bite is influenced by several independent factors, including the promptness of tick removal, host immune response, and regional variability in pathogen prevalence. This study employed a citizen science approach to investigate the incidence of LB following Ixodes ricinus bites in Poland and to assess the relationship between Borrelia spirochete load, tick attachment duration, and subsequent LB development in humans.

Methods

The study was conducted over 2 years (2021-2022). Participants were instructed to submit removed ticks and to complete questionnaires at enrollment and 8 weeks post-bite. All LB cases were physician-confirmed on the basis of national clinical criteria. Tick attachment duration was est

SUBMITTER: Koczwarska J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12664187 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature