COVID-19 is being extensively studied, and much remains unknown regarding the long-term consequences of disease on immune cells. The different arms system are interlinked, with humoral responses production high-affinity antibodies largely dependent T cell immunity. Here, we longitudinally explored effect has populations virus-specific cells, as well neutralizing antibody responses, for 6-7 months following hospitalization. CD8 + TEMRA exhausted CD57 cells were markedly affected elevated...

Introduction After more than two years the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to burden healthcare systems and economies worldwide, it is evident that effects on immune system can persist for months post-infection. The activity of myeloid cells such as monocytes dendritic (DC) essential correct mobilization innate adaptive responses a pathogen. Impaired levels DC severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) likely be driving force behind dysregulation...

Efficient healthcare based on prognostic variables in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 could reduce the risk of complications and death. Recently, soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) was shown to predict respiratory failure, kidney injury, clinical outcome SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim this study investigate value suPAR as a tool, comparison other variables, regarding disease severity length hospital stay COVID-19.

Neutrophils operate as part of the innate defence in skin and may eliminate Borrelia spirochaete via phagocytosis, oxidative bursts, hydrolytic enzymes. However, their importance Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is unclear. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, which associated with production reactive oxygen species, involves extrusion neutrophil DNA to form traps that incapacitate bacteria immobilise viruses. Meanwhile, NET formation has recently been studied pneumococcal meningitis,...

Abstract Hematologic abnormalities are common manifestations of SLE, although neutropenia is observed less frequently and not included in the classification criteria. Nonetheless, a risk factor for infections, especially those caused by bacteria or fungi. We aimed to evaluate impact SLE through systematic investigation all infections large cohort well-characterized patients, focusing on neutropenia, lymphopenia, hypocomplementemia. Longitudinal clinical laboratory parameters obtained at...

Background Despite the good prognosis of erythema migrans (EM), some patients have persisting symptoms various character and duration post-treatment. Several factors may affect clinical outcome EM, e.g. early interaction between Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi host immune response, B. genotype, antibiotic treatment as well other circumstances. Our study was designed to determine whether cytokine expression in skin peripheral blood with EM is associated outcome. Methods A prospective follow-up 109...

We performed a cross-sectional study including 533 individuals (median age 61) from the highly TBE endemic Åland Islands in archipelago between Sweden and Finland. Blood samples, questionnaires vaccination records were obtained all participants. The aim was to investigate if there any association TBEV antibody titer 12 health-related factors. Measurement of IgG antibodies using two commercial ELISA assays (Enzygnost Immunozym), third in-house rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test used...

Summary Innate immunity is important for early defence against borrelia spirochetes and should play a role in the clinical outcome of infection. In order to study cytokine responses, vitro differentiated dendritic cells (DCs) whole blood from 21 patients with different outcomes Lyme neuroborreliosis were stimulated live spirochetes. The borrelia-induced secretion interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, interferon (IFN)-γ tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α DCs IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, regulated...

Tick-transmitted diseases are an emerging health problem, and the hard tick Ixodes ricinus is main vector for Borrelia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus most of spotted fever Rickettsiae in Europe. The aim present study was to examine incidence rickettsial infection southernmost south central parts Sweden Åland Islands Finland, risk humans its correlation with a bite Rickettsia-infected tick, self-reported symptoms disease, prevalence co-infection between Rickettsia spp. Persons recent...

Objectives Impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on individuals with arthritis has been highlighted whereas data other rheumatic diseases, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are scarce. Similarly to SLE, SARS-CoV-2 infection includes risks for thromboembolism, an unbalanced type I interferon response, and complement activation. Herein, antibodies in longitudinal samples collected prior vaccination were analyzed compared SLE progression...

The AxBioTick study was initiated to investigate the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens their impact on antibody clinical responses in tick-bitten individuals Aland Islands. This geographical area is hyperendemic for both Lyme borreliosis (LB) Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Blood samples were collected from 100 volunteers. A total 425 collected, all determined Ixodes ricinus using molecular tools. Of them 20% contained Borrelia species, which B. garinii afzelii most common. None...

Abstract Background Persistent symptoms after treatment of neuroborreliosis (NB) are well-documented, although the causative mechanisms mainly unknown. The effect repeated antibiotic has not been studied in detail. aim this study was to determine whether: (1) persistent improve with doxycycline treatment; (2) an influence on systemic cytokine responses, and; (3) improvement could be due doxycycline-mediated immunomodulation. Methods/Design 15 NB patients ≥6 months post-treatment were...

Borrelia infections, especially chronic neuroborreliosis (NB), may cause considerable diagnostic problems. This diagnosis is based on symptoms and findings in the cerebrospinal fluid but not always conclusive.To evaluate brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) NB, to compare with healthy controls, correlate MRI disease duration.Sixteen well-characterized patients NB 16 matched controls were examined a 1.5T scanner standard head coil. T1- (with without gadolinium), T2-, diffusion-weighted plus...

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies [ANCA) are important for diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). The timing antibody development is not well established. To investigate the proteinase 3 (PR3)- and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA, blood samples collected before onset symptoms AAV were analysed.To identify patients with predating symptoms, National Patient Register Cause Death register scrutinized ICD codes linked to registers five biobanks. Diagnoses time point symptom...

In Europe, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus is considered most important vector of human zoonotic diseases. Human pathogenic agents spread by I. in Sweden include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, recently described Neoehrlichia mikurensis, miyamotoi, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Babesia spp. (Babesia microti, venatorum divergens). Since these pathogens share same vector, co-infections with more than one pathogen may occur thus...

Abstract We report 2 cases of Spiroplasma ixodetis infection in an immunocompetent patient and immunocompromised who had frequent tick exposure. Fever, thrombocytopenia, increased liver aminotransferase levels raised the suspicion anaplasmosis, but 16S rRNA PCR Sanger sequencing yielded a diagnosis spiroplasmosis. Both patients recovered after doxycycline treatment.

Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Residual symptoms after antibiotic treatment can have deleterious effects on patients knowledge regarding pathogenesis linked to prolonged recovery lacking. In this prospective follow-up study, we investigated B cell-associated T helper (Th) immune responses well-characterized LNB controls. The aims were assess kinetics selected involved inflammatory...

Using saliva samples would facilitate sample collection, diagnostic feasibility, and mass screening of SARS-CoV-2. We tested two rapid antigen (RAD) immunochromatographic tests designed for detection SARS-CoV-2 in saliva: Rapid Response™ COVID-19 Antigen Test Cassette oral fluids DIAGNOS™ Saliva Test. Evaluation limit was performed with purified nucleocapsid protein live virus. Sensitivity specificity were further evaluated reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) positive negative...

Despite the presence of several microorganisms, other than Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) and TBE virus, in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Nordic countries, data is lacking on their pathogenic potential humans. In this study, we wanted to investigate aetiology clinical manifestations tick-transmitted infections individuals seeking medical care following a tick-bite. The sampling frame was participants large-scale, prospective, multi-centre, follow-up study tick-bitten volunteers recruited...

Clostridial myonecrosis (CM), or gas gangrene, is a rare necrotizing muscle infection caused most often by Clostridium perfringens C. septicum. Inoculation can occur either traumatically spontaneously. CM has high mortality rate if not treated promptly. A 64-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with sudden onset left flank pain and fever. Repeated CT scans demonstrated progressive edema around iliopsoas formation bleeding. The patient received intravenous fluids,...

The diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in Europe is based on clinical symptoms and laboratory data, such as pleocytosis anti-Borrelia antibodies serum CSF according to guidelines. However, the decision start antibiotic treatment admission cannot be Borrelia serology since results are not available at time lumbar puncture. Therefore, an early prediction test would useful practice. aim study was develop evaluate a for children with LNB relevant European setting. Clinical data were...

The differing roles of the pentameric (p) and monomeric (m) C-reactive protein (CRP) isoforms in viral diseases are not fully understood, which was apparent during COVID-19 pandemic regarding clinical course severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Herein, we investigated predictive value pCRP mCRP for severity hospitalized patients evaluated how levels changed over time after illness. This study utilized samples from a well-characterized cohort Swedish with...