Epidemiology of Lyme Borreliosis among Risk-Group Children of Western Ukraine

Background: Western Ukraine, including Ternopil region, is an endemic area for Lyme borreliosis, as it is located in a zone with fertile soils, moderate continental climate, and forest landscapes. It provides maintenance of the main tick vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato – Ixodes ricinus ticks in the wild.

Objective: To detect the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis among the pediatric population of Ternopil region, Western Ukraine.

Methods: The group of 108 children, members of the Youth Scout Organization ‘PLAST’, was observed because of the extremely high risk of exposure to the Lyme borreliosis. All subjects have answered the question of compatible international questionnaire, in that marked: amount and places of the Ixodes ricinus tick bites; methods of removing of the ticks from the body surface; inspection of the ticks for the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis; the most frequent symptoms of the diseases, which appeared after the tick bites; using of the repellents during stay in the forest; checking the body surface for the presence of ticks after return from the forest.

Results: The results of questionnaire study indicate that 85 (78.7%) of children, aged (13.1±2.7) years, reported to have tick bites. 59 (54.6%) experienced tick bites while staying in the forest camps. 40 (37.04%) children had multiple tick bites. The ticks were removed during the first 24 h in 72 (66.7%) of them. Erythema migrans was observed in 12 (11.1%) scouts.

The screening test Elisa (Euroimmun) has been conducted in 16 (14.8%) study participants to detect the presence of antibodies IgM/IgG anti-Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The further investigations are planned.

Conclusion: The elaboration of educational, preventive and efficacy monitoring standards for the residents of the area (children) is required. A two-step algorithm consisting of ELISA and Western blot tests should be used for this group. Children with tick bites should receive preventive treatment.