Self-reported symptoms and health complaints associated with exposure to Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of infections with tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) other than Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) on public health in Europe remains unclear. Our goal is to evaluate whether the presence of these TBPs in ticks can be associated with self-reported health complaints.

Methods

We enrolled individuals who were bitten by I. ricinus between 2012 and 2015 and collected their relevant demographic and clinical information using a self-administered online questionnaire. A total of 4163 I. ricinus ticks sent by the participants were subject to molecular analyses for detection of specific TBPs. Associations between the presence of TBPs in ticks and self-reported complaints and symptoms were evaluated by means of a stepwise approach using

SUBMITTER: Azagi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8931963 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature