Expression of IL-17, IL-23 and Their Receptors in Minor Salivary Glands of Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

The main purpose of this study was to determine the expression of interleukins-17/-23 (ILs-17/-23) and receptors of interleukins-17/-23 (IL-17R, IL-23R) in minor salivary glands (MSGs) of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Expression of IL-17, IL-23 and receptors of IL-17/-23 was analyzed in MSGs from 25 patients with pSS, 25 patients with probable preclinical pSS, and 25 patients with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome by immunohistochemistry. Comparison of the expression of IL-17, IL-23 and receptors of IL-17, IL-23 in MSG of patients with pSS with probable preclinical pSS, and with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome showed significant differences between three groups. However, the expression of IL-17, IL-23 and receptors of IL-17/-23 in MSG was comparable in pSS and probable preclinical pSS patients. We did not find correlation between the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 and of IL-17R and IL-23R in patients with pSS. These results demonstrate an involvement of IL-17/-23 system in the early pSS pathogenesis

Presence of Human Bocavirus 1 in Hospitalised Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Latvia and Lithuania

Funding Information: This study was supported by Republic of China (Taiwan)-Republic of Latvia-Republic of Lithuania scientific collaboration project, "Establishing of the framework to track molecular epidemiology of Parvoviruses and to correlate sequence variability with different clinical manifestations" (Research Council of Latvia Nr. gr. 6-25/2012/0026, Research Council of Lithuania TAPLLT02/201) and by project Nr. RSU ZP 17/2013 "Epidemiology, pathogenicity of human Bocavirus (HBoV) species and possible association with lower respiratory tract illnesses and acute gastroenteritis in children". We are grateful to Rita Nikitenkiene and Irina Maksimova for technical help. Publisher Copyright: © 2016 by Zaiga Nora-Krūkle. Copyright: Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is a parvovirus recently found to be a possible aetiologic agent of acute respiratory disease in children. We conducted the first clinical and molecular study on this virus in Latvia (LV) and Lithuania (LT). The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of HBoV1 in respiratory tract samples taken from hospitalised children with acute respiratory tract infections in LV and LT. In total 186 children with age one to 50 months, and who fulfilled criteria of acute respiratory tract infection, including lower respiratory tract infections, with or without fever, were included in this study. A nasopharyngeal aspirate was obtained from each patient on admission. DNA was isolated and polimerase chain reaction (PCR) performed targeting the HBoV1 NS1sequence. HBoV1 positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. HBoV1 sequence was detected in 42 (32%) of 130 LV and in 8 (14%) of 56 LT samples. In LV the majority of patients with HBoV1 infection were observed in February while in LT in October. The phylogenetic tree for HBoV1 indicated that isolates of HBoV1 cluster closely and include almost all of the isolates in this study. HBoV1 is common in Latvia and Lithuania and might be a significant pathogen that contributes to acute respiratory tract infections in children.Peer reviewe

Detection of xerostomia, Sicca, and Sjogren’s syndromes in a national sample of adults

Objectives To assess the prevalence and determinants of xerostomia among adults and identify how many of the ones experiencing xerostomia have Sicca and Sjogren's syndromes. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 1405 35–74-year-old Lithuanians (51.7% response rate) from the five largest Lithuanian cities and 10 peri-urban and rural areas that were randomly selected from each of the 10 Lithuanian counties. Xerostomia was determined by the self-reported experience of dry mouth as "often" or "always". A dentist diagnosed Sicca syndrome by unstimulated whole sialometry and the Schirmer's test, and all cases were referred to a rheumatologist to confirm Sjogren's syndrome. Self-reported questionnaires collected data about the determinants. Results The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% (n = 112), Sicca syndrome was diagnosed for 8 participants (0.60%), and Sjogren's syndrome for 2 participants (0.14%), with this being the first time it was diagnosed. Experiencing xerostomia was associated with older age (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.6), urban residence (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.6–5.0), presence of systemic diseases (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4–3.3), and the use of alcohol (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9). The higher proportion of participants with Sicca syndrome involved females, of older age, having systemic diseases, and using medications. Conclusions The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% and the determinants of xerostomia were older age, urban residence, systemic diseases, and absence of using alcohol. In total, 0.6% of participants had Sicca syndrome, which was more prevalent among females, older subjects, those with systematic diseases, and those using medications. Sjogren's syndrome was diagnosed in 0.14% of participants. Clinical relevance Dental clinicians need to be trained to identify potential Sjogren's syndrome cases.Dentistry, Faculty ofNon UBCOral Health Sciences (OHS), Department ofReviewedFacult

Distribution of Peripheral Lymphocyte Populations in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients

Purpose of this study was to evaluate the lymphocyte populations' distribution changes in peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Lymphocyte populations' distribution changes in peripheral blood of pSS patients were investigated in 52 patients with pSS and in 28 healthy controls by flow cytometry. We found decreased absolute count of CD3 + T cell population in pSS patients. Analysis of CD4 + T cell population showed significant proportion and absolute count differences in pSS patient's blood with SSA/SSB antibodies (Abs) in comparison to controls. No significant differences were observed analyzing CD4 + and CD8 + Treg subpopulation. Proportion and absolute counts of Th17 cells were significantly lower in pSS patient's blood. Absolute counts of CD8 + T cells were significantly lower in pSS patients in comparison to controls and also impaired proportion and absolute counts of CD8 + subpopulations according to CD27 + and CD57 + were observed. Absolute counts of NKT and NK cells were decreased in pSS with Abs. B cells proportion was increased only in blood of pSS with Abs. Lymphocyte distribution impairment can be due to genetically determined lymphopenia or lymphocyte migration from periphery to inflammatory sites or/and increased susceptibility to apoptosis

Increased Numbers of CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ T-Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with Parvovirus B19 Infection

Aim: To investigate T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood of human parvovirus B19 DNA-positive (B19+) and-negative (B19-) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy persons. Patients and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 115 patients with RA and 47 healthy volunteers; 27 patients with RA and nine controls were B19+. Cluster of differentiation (CD) 4, 8, 25 and 45RA were analyzed on blood cells. CD25 expression on CD4+CD45RA+, CD4+CD45RA-, CD8+CD45RA+, CD8+CD45RA- subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The percentage of CD25low and CD25hi cells was increased on CD4+CD45RA+, CD4+CD45RA-T-cells and the percentage of CD25+ cells was increased on CD8+CD45RA+, CD8+CD45RA-T-cells of B19+ patients with RA in comparison with B19- patients and controls. Conclusion: Raised levels of CD4 and CD8 regulatory T-cells in B19+ RA patients could cause downregulation of antiviral clearance mechanisms and lead to activation of persistent human parvovirus B19 infection in patients with RA.publishersversionPeer reviewe