ArticlePloS one2012
Seropositivity of Lyme borreliosis and associated risk factors: a population-based study in Children and Adolescents in Germany (KiGGS).
Article in PloS one, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 41 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
41 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 87 citations in OpenAlex.
- Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in neurology - Lyme neuroborreliosis.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2025Guideline
- Cutaneous Lyme borreliosis: Guideline of the German Dermatology Society.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2025Guideline
- Seroprevalence of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe: Results from a Systematic Literature Review (2005-2020).Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.) · 2023Pooled it
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lyme Disease Data and Seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi, China, 2005‒2020.Emerging infectious diseases · 2022Pooled it
- Global seroprevalence and sociodemographic characteristics ofBMJ global health · 2022Pooled it
- Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in neurology - Lyme neuroborreliosis.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2020Guideline
- Cutaneous Lyme borreliosis: Guideline of the German Dermatology Society.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2017Guideline
- Risk Factors for Tick-Borne Diseases in Germany: A Scoping Review.Zoonoses and public health · 2026Article
- Lyme borreliosis.Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2026Review
- Borrelia burgdorferi infections in children and adolescents in Switzerland - a seroprevalence study 2023/2024 (BOBUINCA).Infection · 2025Observational
- Incidence of symptomatic Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection in Romania, 2018-2023.Parasites & vectors · 2024Article
- Seropositivity of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in Germany-an analysis across four German National Cohort (NAKO) study sites.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Identifying Potential Lyme Disease Cases Using Self-Reported Worldwide Tweets: Deep Learning Modeling Approach Enhanced With Sentimental Words Through Emojis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Article
- Seroprevalence, seroconversion and seroreversion ofEuro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin · 2023Article
- [Bacterial zoonoses of public health importance in Germany-incidence, distribution, and modes of transmission].Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz · 2023Review
- Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Lyme Borreliosis in The Netherlands: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.Microorganisms · 2023Article
- Incidence of Lyme Borreliosis in Germany: Exploring Observed Trends Over Time Using Public Surveillance Data, 2016-2020.Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.) · 2023Article
- Seroepidemiology ofMicroorganisms · 2022Article
- Regional seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi and associated risk factors: findings from the Rhineland Study, Germany.Parasites & vectors · 2022Article
- Seroprevalence of Borrelia IgG antibodies among individuals from Eastern Slovakia.Central European journal of public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLyme borreliosis (LB) caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Data on the distribution and on risk factors in Germany are sketchy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
findingsBlood samples of a nationwide population-based cross-sectional study from 2003-2006 in children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years in Germany (KiGGS) were analysed (n = 12,614) to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia antibodies. Data from standardized interviews were used to assess potential risk factors. First, sera were screened for anti-Borrelia antibodies by ELISA. The overall prevalence was 4.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3-5.4%). Positive and borderline ELISA test results were confirmed by a line blot revealing a combined prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI 3.6-4.5%). Seroprevalence of ELISA was significantly higher in males (odds ratio (OR) = 1.37; CI 1.15-1.63) and in the southern part of Germany (OR = 1.41; CI 1.09-1.83), but significantly lower in children and adolescents with migration background (OR = 0.33; CI 0.24-0.44). Study participants from households with cats had a higher chance of seropositivity (OR = 6.7; CI 5.6-8.0). In a multivariable model the odds of seropositivity increases by 11% for every year of age for boys and 6% for girls. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This survey is the first nationwide, representative seroprevalence survey of LB in children and young adolescents. The study shows that infections with Borrelia burgdorferi are endemic in all parts of Germany despite regional differences. Even at a young age children are exposed to tick bites including seropositivity. Encouraging a thorough check for ticks and promptly removal of ticks are the key public health strategies to reduce the risk of LB and other tick-borne diseases in children and adolescents. Further epidemiological studies are warranted to better understand the burden of disease related to LB.
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