Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2020  |  Volume : 68  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 100--103

Seroprevalence of Lymes disease in the Nagarahole and Bandipur forest areas of South India


Kalpana Babu1, Krishna R Murthy2, M Bhagya1, Praveen R Murthy1, Vinuth N Puttamallesh3, V Ravi4 
1 Department of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology and Prabha Eye Clinic and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology and Prabha Eye Clinic and Research Centre, Bengaluru; Department of Clinical Research, Institute of Bioinformatics, Bengaluru; Department of Clinical Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology and Prabha Eye Clinic and Research Centre; Department of Clinical Research, Institute of Bioinformatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
4 Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Kalpana Babu
504, 40th Cross, Jayanagar 8th Block, Bengaluru - 560 070, Karnataka
India

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Lymes disease in a population at risk in south India. Methods: Prospective ongoing study and included screening of forest workers and staff of Nagarahole and Bandipur forest ranges in South India for Lymes disease. Screening included a detailed questionnaire for Lymes disease, complete ocular and systemic examination by an ophthalmologist and infectious disease specialist and blood collection. ELISA for IgM and IgG antibodies for Borrelia burgdorferi were performed on the collected sera samples. Western blot confirmation was done on the seropositive samples. Ticks were also collected from these forest areas for future studies to detect if they harbor B. burgdorferi. Results: Seroprevalence of 19.9% was noted by ELISA. Western blot confirmation was seen in 15.6% of the seropositive samples. There was significant correlation between seropositivity and exposure to tick bites (P = 0.023). Conclusion: There is a high seroprevalence of infection with B. burgdorferi in the forest areas of Nagarahole and Bandipur ranges in south India.


How to cite this article:
Babu K, Murthy KR, Bhagya M, Murthy PR, Puttamallesh VN, Ravi V. Seroprevalence of Lymes disease in the Nagarahole and Bandipur forest areas of South India.Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:100-103


How to cite this URL:
Babu K, Murthy KR, Bhagya M, Murthy PR, Puttamallesh VN, Ravi V. Seroprevalence of Lymes disease in the Nagarahole and Bandipur forest areas of South India. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];68:100-103
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2020;volume=68;issue=1;spage=100;epage=103;aulast=Babu;type=0