Retrospective clinical and serological studies of tick-borne encephalitis-indication for vaccination

Introduction: Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) is a potentially debilitating disease caused by TBE virus. Tick born encephalitis has wide distribution. Natural foci of TBE had been localized in the Lublin region, Poland, with a growing prevalence of the incidence beginning in the 90s. Material and methods: We have examined 108 patients who underwent tick-born encephalitis with a clinical manifestation of meningoencephalitis and encephalitis who had suffered from TBE in the years 1995-2001. Only 38 patients, however, fulfilled both clinical and serological criteria of TBEV and were included in further analysis. Results: In all 38 patients specific TBE antigens in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum were noticed at the level at least 300 Vu (Vienna unit) (ELISA) during the illness. In 42% of cases seropositive high levels of specific immunoglobulins have still been noticed after the recovery. None of the patients suffered from TBEV for the second time. Moreover, we did not find any correlation of seropositive levels of immunoglobulins and neurological symptoms dynamics. Conclusions: TBE, however, has to be taken into account in the history of the patient with acute neurological symptoms who have previously suffered from TBE. Besides, in patients suffering from TBEV the level of specific immunoglobulins may have a protective value

Analysis of main T-cell subsets and activated T supressor/cytotoxic cells in patients with Borrelia burgdorferi s. lato only infection and co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti

Introduction The study was designed to assess the role of some important immunologic factors with regards to both laboratory results and clinical symptoms in patients with confirmed Lyme disease. Additional examinations were carried out for co-infections with a number of tick-borne pathogens. Material and Methods The study group consisted of 54 patients with Lyme disease and a group of 21 healthy controls. Serology of co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti was carrieed out in all patients. Blood samples were stained using the whole-blood lysis method and analyzed concurrently on a flow cytometer FACSCalibur. Directly conjugated anti-human monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD56, HLA-DR and CD69 were used. Results No significant differences were observed with respect to thepretreatment level of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. In patients with symptoms relief and symptoms persistence, lower percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were found, but with no statistical dependence. In the study group, both in patients with and without co-infections, pretreatment values of CD16+CD56+ cells did not differ significantly. In patients who did not respond to the treatment, the baseline percentage of NK cells was higher (P<0.01) than in group with clinical improvement, and lower after the treatment, whereas in patients with symptoms relief after the treatment there was an increase in the percentage of NK cells. Conclusions Co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti had no impact on T-cell percentages in Lyme disease patients. There was a lower baseline percentage of NK cells in patients not responding to antibiotic treatment

Mechanisms of infection by pathogens transmitted by ticks on the example of bacteria: Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi

Tick-borne diseases are transmission diseases belonging to the group of zoonoses but carried by ticks. These diseases are a major public health problem but also a problem for groups occupationally exposed to tick bites. Ixodes ricinus is a species of ticks which is the most common reservoir and the vector of a large number of microorganisms pathogenic to humans. It transfers, among others, bacteria of the species: Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi. The article discusses the mechanisms of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum for both ticks as well as for animals and humans. The two microorganisms discussed have developed many characteristics and mechanisms of adaptation to the environment, as well as defense mechanisms against the body's immune response. Understanding the biology of ticks and the function of proteins produced by ticks and pathogenic microorganisms is the key in the development of effective treatments and prevention of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.Choroby odkleszczowe są chorobami transmisyjnymi, należącymi do grupy chorób odzwierzęcych, ale przenoszonych za pośrednictwem kleszczy. Choroby te stanowią ważny problem zarówno zdrowia publicznego, ale także problem dla grup zawodowo narażonych na ukłucia kleszczy. Ixodes ricinus jest gatunkiem kleszcza, który jest najczęstszym rezerwuarem i wektorem licznych mikroorganizmów wywołujących choroby ludzi. Przenosi on między innymi bakterie z gatunków: Anaplasma phagocytophilum i Borrelia burgdorferi. W artykule zostały omówione mechanizmy infekcji Borrelia burgdorferi i Anaplasma phagocytophilum zarówno kleszcza, ale także zwierząt i ludzi. Obydwa omawiane mikroorganizmy wykształciły wiele cech i mechanizmów przystosowawczych do środowiska, a także mechanizmów obronnych przed odpowiedzią immunologiczną organizmu. Poznanie biologii kleszczy, funkcji białek wytwarzanych przez kleszcze i patogenne mikroorganizmy stanowi klucz w opracowaniu skutecznych metod leczenia i profilaktyki boreliozy i anaplazmozy