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Serological Evidence for Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Western Austria

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Abstract

In order to evaluate the seroprevalence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in western Austria, sera from 357 Tyrolean blood donors were tested by an immunofluorescence assay. To assess the concomitant seroreactivity against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, sera were further investigated by enzyme-linked immunoassay and Western blot. Thirty-two sera (9.0%) showed antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum at a titre of 1:128 or higher, and 30 (8.4%) were seroreactive against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Infection with these two pathogens seems to occur in all Tyrolean districts except Landeck, the most upstream district of the Inn River Valley.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Fresenius-Kabi for the support of our work, the team of tiris (Tiroler Raumordnungs-Informationssystem) for creating the maps, and Dr. Binder (KH the Elizabethan, Linz) and his staff for reassessment of several samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Hygiene und Sozialmedizin, University of Innsbruck, Fritz Pregl-Strasse 3/III, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    G. Walder, G. Tiwald, M. P. Dierich & R. Würzner

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  1. G. Walder
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  2. G. Tiwald
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  3. M. P. Dierich
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  4. R. Würzner
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Correspondence to G. Walder.

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Walder, G., Tiwald, G., Dierich, M.P. et al. Serological Evidence for Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Western Austria. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 22, 543–547 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-003-0986-3

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