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Background: Lyme borreliosis is the most frequent tick-borne disease in Europe and North America, and the number of registered cases is on the increase. Frequent presence in the habitats of ticks enhances the risk of tick bites and possible infection with Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of B. burgdorferi infection posed to hunters and other individuals exposed to activity-related contact with ticks., Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the northern part of the Lublin Province (eastern Poland) and involved 150 individuals exposed to tick bites (110 hunters and 40 individuals exposed to activity-related contact with ticks). The analysis of sera for the presence of B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG antibodies was carried out. All 150 individuals were tested with the ELISA assay, and positive and borderline results of the assay were verified with the Western blot test. All study participants completed a questionnaire, which provided information about exposure to ticks, application of prophylactic measures, and awareness of Lyme borreliosis., Results: The ELISA assay revealed a positive or borderline result in at least one of the classes of B. burgdorferi antibodies in 63.3% (95/150) of the individuals (IgM 14.0%, IgG 63.3%). Verification carried out with the Western blot test showed a positive or borderline result in at least one of the antibody classes in 38.0% (57/150) of the examined persons (IgM 2.7%, IgG 36.7%). Abdomen (56.0%) and legs (53.7%) were the most frequently bitten body regions. Tick bites on the abdomen were significantly more frequently declared by hunters. Inspection of the body after returning from natural areas was more popular prophylactic method than use of repellents. Inspection of the body was significantly more often used in the group of the hunters., Conclusions: The risk of B. burgdorferi infection among hunters and other individuals undertaking activities associated with exposure to tick bites in the study area is high.

Background: The aim of the work was to analyze the incidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in forestry workers and farmers, major groups occupationally exposed to tick bites., Material and Methods: The study group included 275 workers (171 foresters and 104 farmers). The control group consisted of 45 people, who have not been occupationally exposed to tick bites. The screening Elisa and Wb tests for the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were performed in all subjects of the study and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi2 test., Results: The positive results denoting the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were found in 55% of farmers and 28% of foresters occupationally exposed to Lyme borreliosis and coming from the area of South Podlasie Lowland and Lublin Polesie. The differences between the forestry workers and the control group (p < or = 0.00001) and between farmers and the control group (p < or = 0.001) were statistically significant. The species, such as B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis, which have not yet been reported in Poland, are significant etiologic agents of Lyme disease., Conclusion: The risk of occupational exposure to the B. burgdorferi infection is high for foresters and farmers, and the infection with spirochetes is frequently confirmed on the basis of positive results of the Wb test. The presence of specific antibodies against protein antigens of B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis suggest that these bacteria can cause Lyme disease both independently and in participation with other Borrelia species, which influences the development of the clinical manifestations of infection.