Epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in Alpe Adria area

The distribution of Lyme borreliosis reflects the geographic areas where the vectors are present. Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Northeastern Italy are countries where geography, climate and fauna justific the spreading of Ixodes ricinus. The infection is endemic in the woody areas of Western and Central Croatia, while it is rare in Istria and Dalmatia. In Italy the endemic areas are the Alps and their neighbouring countries as Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria and Trentino Alto Adige. Borrelia infection is very frequent in Austria and Bavaria. Recent studies demonstrated that B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garini and B. afzelii are all present in Alpe Adria areas. These data could explain why in Alpe Adria areas the prevalence of arthritis is lower than in the USA, where neurological manifestations are more common and where only Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto has been observed. These data and other regional differences observed confirm the relationship of the geographical diversity of Lyme Borreliosis clinical manifestations and certain species of Borrelia burgdorferi.