Risk Factors for Foodborne Zoonoses Among Populations With and Without a Migration Background in Berlin, Germany

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Foodborne zoonotic diseases pose a significant public health concern, particularly in diverse urban populations.
• Limited data exists on the seroprevalence and risk factors of key foodborne zoonotic pathogens among migrant communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the seroprevalence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, Brucella, Hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Trichinella.
• To identify potential exposure risks associated with these pathogens in populations with and without migration backgrounds in Berlin, Germany.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study conducted from 2014-2016 involving 1180 adults from Turkish, Russian, Vietnamese, and German backgrounds.
• Sera screened for anti-IgG antibodies; risk factors assessed via structured questionnaire and logistic regression analysis.

Main Results:

• Salmonella seroprevalence was highest in Vietnamese (47-50%), Yersinia highest in Germans (64-70%) linked to raw pork, and HEV highest in Vietnamese (27-28%).
• Campylobacter seroprevalence ranged from 17-23%. Brucella was not detected; Trichinella was found in two samples.
• High seroprevalence for Campylobacter, Salmonella, Yersinia, and HEV indicates substantial exposure, often with mild or asymptomatic infections.

Conclusions:

• Significant seroprevalence of several foodborne zoonotic diseases in diverse populations suggests widespread exposure and potential transmission routes beyond common associations (e.g., Yersinia in non-pork consumers).
• Findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and further research into transmission dynamics within migrant and host populations.