The seven-year longitudinal study on relapsing fever borreliosis in Western Iran

Abstract

Objective: To determine the epidemiologic and clinical features of tick borne relapsing fever in Kurdistan Province during 2000-2006. Methods: In this cross-sectional clinic-based study, target group was all population of Kurdistan Province. In order to screen patients based on national protocol we diagnosed cases based on clinical symptoms together with the presence of Borrelia in blood smears that are stained with Wright-Geimsa. Positive cases after identifying were treated. Also we completed a questionnaire for all patients. The data were analysed by SPSS for getting descriptive indicators (relative and absolute frequency tables). Results: The numbers of tick borne relapsing fever cases recorded during 2000 to 2006 were as follows: 14, 8, 17, 36, 22, 10 and 31, respectively. A total of 138 patients (50.8% males, 49.2% females) were studied. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were fever (100%), chills (92.7%) and headache (76.1%). Laboratory tests performed on patients showed the presence of Borrelia persica in blood smears. Most of the cases (42%) were in the age group 10-19 years old and 86.2% of them were under 30 years old. Nearly 92% of the patients were resident of the villages. About 37.7% and 25.4% of cases were students and housewives, respectively. Approximately 66% of cases were observed in summer. In 70% of cases, the buildings that they lived in were very old. Cattle or sheep were found in the homes of 89.1% of patients. Conclusions: Due to the relatively high infection rate and economic consequences of this disease on the person and the community, we should take measures to prevent its prevalence by carrying out educational programs.