Seroprevalence of rickettsial infection in northern Cyprus: A study among  hunters

Ruh, E; Aras, S; Gazi, U; Celebi, B; Tosun, O; Sanlidag, T; Imir, T; Taylan-Ozkan, A

Return

Seroprevalence of rickettsial infection in northern Cyprus: A study among hunters

Author: Ruh, E. ¹ ; Aras, S. ¹ ; Gazi, U. ¹ ; Celebi, B. ² ; Tosun, O. ³ ; Sanlidag, T. ⁴ ; Imir, T. ⁵ ; Taylan-Ozkan, A. ⁶
Author Information

1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
2. Microbiology Reference Laboratories, General Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
3. Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
4. DESAM Research Institute, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
5. Emeritus Prof., Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
6. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Rickettsia; indirect immunofluorescence assay; serology; hunters; northern Cyprus.
From:Tropical Biomedicine 2022;39(No.2):221-225
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate rickettsial seropositivity among hunters, a high-risk population for tick-borne diseases in northern Cyprus. Serum samples were collected from 300 hunters from different locations during the 2017-2018 hunting season (November 2017 - February 2018). The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using slides coated with Rickettsia slovaca, a species belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG). During the sample collection, a questionnaire was also applied to evaluate possible risk factors for rickettsial seropositivity. Of the 300 serum samples, six (2.0%) were found to be IgG-positive with a titer of 1:64. While all seropositive individuals were male, the statistical analysis revealed no significant association of gender with rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). Other factors including age (p=0.414), residential places of the participants (p=0.347), hunting years (p=0.694) or hunting abroad (p=1.000) did not significantly affect the IgG positivity. Also, no statistical correlation was found between a history of an arthropod (tick, louse, or flea) bite and rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates rickettsial seropositivity among human population in northern Cyprus. Our study suggests that awareness should be raised among the people especially involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, and control programs should be implemented to prevent possible rickettsiosis cases. Further serological studies using other Rickettsia spp. antigens, as well as molecular studies that search for Rickettsia spp. in humans, animals and arthropods are needed to obtain more comprehensive data on rickettsiosis in northern Cyprus.
Full text:8.2022my1335.pdf