ArticleJournal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England)2026
Prevalence of antibodies against hantavirus, Leptospira, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Chlamydia psittaci in pest control workers in Germany - a cross-sectional study.
Article in Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundPest control workers may be exposed to zoonotic pathogens during their work, yet data on the prevalence of zoonotic infections in this occupational group in Germany is scarce. This study investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies against four pathogens commonly transmitted by rodents and pigeons among pest control workers in Germany.
methodsBlood samples of participants were analysed for antibodies against hantavirus, Leptospira, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM virus) and Chlamydia psittaci. Additional data was collected using a questionnaire.
resultsAmong the 154 participants, five were seropositive for hantavirus (3.2%), seven for Leptospira (4.6%) and two for Chlamydia psittaci (1.5%). No participants tested positive for LCM virus. Seropositive participants were mostly male (85.7%), aged 31-63 years and were predominantly engaged in field service pest control activities (85.7%). Both highly experienced (> 20 years of experience) and fairly inexperienced (< 1 year of experience) workers were affected. Notably, 42.9% of seropositive participants reported no or only occasional occupational exposure to the respective reservoir species. Most reported only occasional use of personal protective equipment (57.1%). Self-rated knowledge of zoonotic diseases was most commonly rated as moderate (50.0%) or good (42.9%).
conclusionSeroprevalence of antibodies against hantavirus, Leptospira, LCM virus, and Chlamydia psittaci was low among pest control workers in Germany. This may be indicative of effective infection control in this occupational group. Workers should receive intensified, regular training to further strengthen their knowledge of zoonotic diseases and improve adherence to precautionary measures.
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