Seroprevalence of Lyme disease in Eastern Slovakia.

Objective: Lyme disease (LD) is chronic, multi-system zoonosis transmitted by ticks, and LD aetiological agents are spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The aim of the cross-sectional study was to analyze the LD incidence on the basis of the presence of specific antibodies in the serum of patients in Eastern Slovakia, and to compare the results of serological ELISA and immunoblot assays.

Methods: Venous blood with questionnaires was obtained by field sampling of respondents from Eastern Slovakia.

Association of seroprevalence and risk factors in Lyme disease.

Objective: The aim of the presented cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was to determine the current presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l.

Serostatus and risk factors of tick-borne encephalitis.

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).

West Nile virus - a new infection in the Slovak Republic?

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia.

Methods: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection.

Milk outbreaks of tick-borne encephalitis in Slovakia, 2012-2016.

Objective: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is most commonly transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Alimentary infection through the consumption of TBEV-contaminated dairy products is also well-documented and is responsible for some diseases in endemic areas. The aim of the study was to emphasize the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) by consuming raw milk and dairy products and to describe TBE epidemics in Slovakia for the period 2012-2016.

Effectiveness of primary vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis in employees of the armed forces.

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate immune response after receiving the primary vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and to establish a link between seropositivity and selected factors in soldiers.

Methods: Blood samples, questionnaires and vaccination records were obtained. TBE antibodies were detected using both ELISA and a neutralization test (NT).

Risk factors of preterm birth and low birth weight neonates among Roma and non-Roma mothers.

Objective: This study analyses the differences in birth outcomes between Roma and non-Roma mothers and investigates the potential causes of such differences.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,989 non-Roma and 799 Roma mothers who gave birth in 2014 and 2015 at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. Data on mothers and new-born infants have been obtained from the birth book and from the reports on mothers at childbirth.