Tularemia seroprevalence in humans in the region of the Hittite-Arzawa War (Inner Aegean Region), where the fiirst biological weapon was used 3300 years ago
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2023
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Tubitak Scientific & Technological Research Council Turkey
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
Background/aim: According to Egyptian records, tularemia emerged in the Canaan region, where it was first identified and spread to Anatolia over the Euphrates. It was used as an active biological weapon for the first time in the Hittite-Arzawa War in 1320-1318 BC. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of tularemia in the Inner Aegean Region, which is thought to be the region where this war was fought 3300 years ago.Materials and methods: Tularemia seropositivity in humans was investigated in 27 villages/neighborhoods in 3 districts in each of Manisa, Kiltahya, and Usak provinces. Before the study, the participants were informed about the disease via posters, and their blood samples were taken following filling out the questionnaire. Microagglutination tests were performed using in-house tularemia antigen and V plate for serological experiments. Rose-Bengal test was also performed on seropositive sera.Results: Of the total of 410 people, 226 (55.12%) were male. The mean age of the volunteers was 43.72 years. The highest participation was from Kiltahya Province. According to the results of the tularemia microagglutination test, seropositivity was detected in 6 cases. It was determined that all of the seropositive volunteers were in Kiltahya. When the tularemia antibody titers were examined, seropositivity was determined at 1/20-1/160 titers. No positivity was detected in the Rose-Bengal test for cross-reaction.Conclusion: Kiltahya has been identified as a risky region in terms of tularemia in the Inner Aegean Region. In order to use the resources in the country economically, first of all, the risk areas in terms of tularemia should be determined by serological studies in all regions. In order to increase awareness about the disease, physicians and filiation teams should be trained in risky areas. Surveillance studies should be conducted to identify and monitor possible sources in areas identified as risky.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Biological Warfare Agents, Francisella Tularensis, Seroepidemiological Studies, Tularemia, Turkey
Kaynak
Turkish Journal Of Medical Sciences
WoS Q Değeri
N/A
Scopus Q Değeri
Q3
Cilt
53
Sayı
1
