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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Saliva, Salivary Gland, and Hemolymph Collection from Ixodes scapularis Ticks
Published on: February 21, 2012
Serostatus and risk factors of tick-borne encephalitis
Andrea Bušová1, Erik Dorko1, Eva Feketeová2
1Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
Objective:
The aim of this seroepidemiological study was to determine the current prevalence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in the representative group of Slovak population with included potential risk factors for TBEV.
Methods:
Representative group consisted of 428 persons (also with possible exposure to risk factors for tick bite or raw milk consumption). Serum samples were screened by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The persons involved in the study completed questionnaires with general demographic, epidemiological and clinical data. During the analysis, we used linear regression to interpret the influence between selected variables.
Results:
We detected 1.2% prevalence of positive IgG and 1.6% prevalence of positive IgM antibodies in all tested groups. Our results also confirmed that the following risk factors such as tourism, hunting, fishing, and consumption of raw milk are significantly associated with the prevalence of specific antibodies against TBEV.
Conclusion:
The results of seroprevalence obtained by this study confirm the possibility of infection with TBEV among respondents exposed to possible contact with ticks.
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