Lyme disease in Belluno - a north-eastern Italian province

english

1997

volume 6, issue 3

Združenje slovenskih dermatovenerologov

Lyme borreliosis (LB) has a world-wide distribution and may be seen where ixodes ticks are found. Ixodes ricinus is the vector: ticks have been found inthe mountains and Borrelia burgdorferi was isolated from the vector. Our survey focuses on Belluno Province in Veneto Region, an Alpine mountain Regionin the North- East of Italy. Data on LB reported from 1977 to 1993 were examined according to incidence, localization and seasonal distribution of ticks-bites as well as age and sex of the patients. LB diagnosis was made in 284 subjects: in 256 cases infection occurred in Belluno Province and in 28 cases outside of the Province. In 178 cases (63%) the diagnosis was made in Dermatologic Out-Patient's Department. T'he disease was recognized by the presence of erythema migrans (EM). LB prevalence has been increasing from 10/100 000 in 1988 to 29/ 100 000 in 1992. Most of the people who developed borreliosis were in the 40-70 age range, 53% were females. The authors supposethat roe deers are mainly responsible for spreading LB in the Belluno Province.

16.09.2022