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[Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae in occupational risk persons]
Ignacio Troncoso1, Christof Fischer2, Francisca Arteaga2
1Escuela Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Concepción, Chile, ignaciotroncoso@santotomas.cl.
Introduction:
Bartonella henselae infection is a worldwide zoonosis with the domestic cat as reservoir. Although people with occupational contact with these pets are risk population only few studies of prevalence in them have been reported.
Methods:
A study of seroprevalence of B. henselae was performed to veterinaries and other persons with occupational contact with cats, residents from the Bío-Bío region of Chile. Serum IgG antibodies against B. henselae were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI). Demographic data and history of cat bites or scratches were recorded.
Results:
There were 76 persons included in the study, 18 to 69 years old. A 93.4% had a history of cat scratch or bite. A seroprevalence of 60.5% were found. No differences were found between gender, age, or history of cat scratch or bite.
Conclusions:
A high seroprevalence in people from this region with occupational risk were found. No subgroups with higher risk factors than others were identified.
