Inflammatory and thrombotic parameters associated with the COVID-19 course in Poland (SARSTer study).

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the coagulation and inflammatory markers connected with severe course of COVID-19 and no clinical improvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population included 2590 adult patients, diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database - an ongoing project led by the Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists and supported by the Medical Research Agency. Clinical and laboratory parameters, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil and lymphocyte count, procalcitonin, ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer concentration and platelet (PLT) count were analyzed before and after treatment (remdesivir, tocilizumab, dexamethasone, anticoagulants). RESULTS: Significant differences between patients with mild and severe course of the disease were observed in all examined parameters before treatment (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). After treatment only ferritin concentration did not differ significantly. In patients with pulmonary embolism, CRP concentration, neutrophil count, D-dimer and IL-6 concentration were significantly higher than in patients without embolism (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). The significant differences between the groups with and without fatal outcome were observed within all analyzed parameters. Significant differences in all examined parameters before treatment were observed between patients with and without clinical improvement (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that no clinical improvement was associated with: IL-6>100 â€‹pg/ml (OR-2.14), D-dimer concentration over 1000 â€‹ng/ml (OR-1.62) and PLT count below 150,000/µl (OR-1.57). CONCLUSIONS: Severe course of the disease is associated with lower PLT and lymphocyte count, higher D-dimer, CRP, neutrophil count and IL-6 concentration. The best predictors of no clinical improvement in COVID-19 are: IL-6>100 â€‹pg/ml, D-dimer>1000 â€‹ng/ml and PLT<150,000/µl.

The increased intrathecal expression of the monocyte-attracting chemokines CCL7 and CXCL12 in tick-borne encephalitis.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a relatively severe and clinically variable central nervous system (CNS) disease with a significant contribution of a secondary immunopathology. Monocytes/macrophages play an important role in the CNS inflammation, but their pathogenetic role and migration mechanisms in flavivirus encephalitis in humans are not well known. We have retrospectively analyzed blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monocyte counts in 240 patients with TBE presenting as meningitis (n = 110), meningoencephalitis (n = 114), or meningoencephalomyelitis (n = 16), searching for associations with other laboratory parameters, clinical presentation, and severity. We have measured concentrations of selected monocytes-attracting chemokines (CCL7, CXCL12, CCL20) in serum and CSF of the prospectively recruited patients with TBE (n = 15), with non-TBE aseptic meningitis (n = 6) and in non-infected controls (n = 8). The data were analyzed with non-parametric tests, p < 0.05 considered significant. Monocyte CSF count correlated with other CSF inflammatory parameters, but not with the peripheral monocytosis, consistent with an active recruitment into CNS. The monocyte count did not correlate with a clinical presentation. The median CSF concentration of CCL7 and CXCL12 was increased in TBE, and that of CCL7 was higher in TBE than in non-TBE meningitis. The comparison of serum and CSF concentrations pointed to the intrathecal synthesis of CCL7 and CXCL12, but with no evident concentration gradients toward CSF. In conclusion, the monocytes are recruited into the intrathecal compartment in concert with other leukocyte populations in TBE. CCL7 and CXCL12 have been found upregulated intrathecally but are not likely to be the main monocyte chemoattractants.

Assessment of Anaplasma phagocytophilum presence in early Lyme borreliosis manifested by erythema migrans skin lesions.

BACKGROUND: To investigate to what extent early Lyme borreliosis patients with erythema migrans are infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. METHODS: Three hundred ten patients from Poland with erythema migrans were included in the study. One hundred and eighty-three patients (59%) agreed to have both skin biopsy and blood samples analysed for Borrelia burgdorferi, A. phagocytophilum and 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis', with PCR. Positive samples were confirmed with sequencing. RESULTS: B. burgdorferi DNA was detected in 49.7% of the skin samples and in 1.1% of the blood samples. A. phagocytophilum DNA was found in 7.1% blood samples, and in 8.2% of the skin biopsies. In four patients, A. phagocytophilum DNA was detected only in blood; in one case A. phagocytophilum DNA was found simultaneously in blood and skin, and additionally in this patients' blood Borrelia DNA was detected. In four skin samples B. burgdorferi DNA was detected simultaneously with A. phagocytophilum DNA, indicative of a co-infection. CONCLUSIONS: A. phagocytophilum may be present in early Lyme borreliosis characterized by erythema migrans and should always be considered as a differential diagnostic following a tick bite and considered in treatment schemes, as these differs (in early stage of Lyme borreliosis doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime axetil and azithromycin are recommended, while in anaplasmosis the most effective courses of treatment are doxycycline, rifampin and levofloxacin). Consequently, the role of A. phagocytophilum in erythema migrans should be further studied.

Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans: various faces of the late form of Lyme borreliosis.

INTRODUCTION: Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) is probably the most common late and chronic manifestation of the Lyme borreliosis seen in European patients. AIM: To analyze epidemiological data, and to investigate the effects of treatment of patients with ACA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients were included in the study. All patients had serological examinations (ELISA and Western blot) and histopathological examination of the skin lesions performed. Eight patients had PCR in the skin biopsy performed. RESULTS: The duration of symptoms ranged from 2 months to 2 years. In 7 patients, skin lesions were located on lower limbs, in 2 patients - in a non-typical body area - abdomen. In 1 patient, scleroderma and in 3 patients, diabetes mellitus was diagnosed. Borrelia burgdorferi DNA was detected in 25% of the skin biopsy specimens. IgG anti-B. burgdorferi specific antibodies were present in serum of all patients (confirmed by Western blot). In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. The response to ceftriaxone therapy varied. In 5 cases, the lesions resolved completely, in others they faded. CONCLUSIONS: Despite raising awareness of Lyme borreliosis, late forms of the disease such as ACA are still observed. Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans skin lesions may be located in non-characteristic areas, e.g. abdominal skin. Symptoms are not irritating or painful, therefore patients do not seek medical help. The effect of antibiotic treatment varies.

The increased concentration of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tick-borne encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: Host factors determining the clinical presentation of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are not fully elucidated. The peripheral inflammatory response to TBE virus is hypothesized to facilitate its entry into central nervous system by disrupting the blood-brain barrier with the involvement of a signaling route including Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and pro-inflammatory cytokines macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß). METHODS: Concentrations of MIF, TNFα, and IL-1ß were measured with commercial ELISA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 36 hospitalized TBE patients, 7 patients with non-TBE meningitis, and 6 controls. The CSF albumin quotient (AQ) was used as a marker of blood-brain barrier permeability. Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs3775291, rs5743305 (associated with TLR3 expression), and rs755622 (associated with MIF expression) were assessed in blood samples from 108 TBE patients and 72 non-TBE controls. The data were analyzed with non-parametric tests, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The median serum and CSF concentrations of MIF and IL-1ß were significantly increased in TBE group compared to controls. MIF concentration in serum tended to correlate with AQ in TBE, but not in non-TBE meningitis. The serum concentration of TNFα was increased in TBE patients bearing a high-expression TLR3 rs5743305 TT genotype, which also associated with the increased risk of TBE. The low-expression rs3775291 TLR3 genotype TT associated with a prolonged increase of CSF protein concentration. The high-expression MIF rs755622 genotype CC tended to correlate with an increased risk of TBE, and within TBE group, it was associated with a mild presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The results point to the signaling route involving TLR3, MIF, and TNFα being active in TBE virus infection and contributing to the risk of an overt neuroinvasive disease. The same factors may play a protective role intrathecally contributing to the milder course of neuroinfection. This suggests that the individual variability of the risk and clinical presentation of TBE might be traced to the variable peripheral and intrathecal expression of the mediators of the inflammatory response, which in turn associates with the host genetic background.

Neuroinfection as a Mask of Lung Cancer: A Case Series.

Introduction. The diagnosis of lung cancer may still be difficult due to the fact that the first symptoms very often mimic symptoms of other diseases. Case Presentation. In this paper we present two cases, in which initial diagnosis of neuroinfection delayed proper diagnosis. Conclusion. Based on our experience we concluded that neurological symptoms in the area endemic for tick-borne diseases suggesting neuroinfection require careful differential diagnosis. Moreover, neurological symptoms in heavy smokers may be associated with metastases of lung cancer.

Comparison of detection of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA and anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in patients with erythema migrans in north-eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic methods in erythema migrans are still not standardized. AIM: To evaluate the frequency of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. DNA presence in patients with erythema migrans (EM); to assess the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure for detecting B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA in patients with the skin form of Lyme borreliosis; and to compare the results of the PCR-based method with the traditional ELISA method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Skin biopsy and blood samples from 93 patients with EM were examined for B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA detection (PCR). Seventy-one of these patients were examined for the presence of anti-B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies (ELISA). RESULTS: Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. DNA was detected in 48% of the skin biopsy specimens and in 2% of blood samples. Only 1 patient was PCR positive in both blood and skin samples. Seventy percent of patients whose PCR results were positive were bitten by a tick less than 14 days before. IgM anti-B. burgdorferi s.l - specific antibodies were present in the serum of 35% of patients and IgG antibodies - in 30% of patients. Seventeen percent were positive in both IgM and IgG. CONCLUSIONS: Polymerase chain reaction of skin biopsy specimens seems to be currently the most sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of patients with EM, especially in patients with a short duration of the disease (< 14 days) but still its effectiveness is much lower than expected. Polymerase chain reaction of blood samples cannot be recommended at the present time for the routine diagnostic of patients with EM.

Increased expression of Fas receptor and Fas ligand in the culture of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.

Apoptosis of the lymphocytes plays an essential role in the regulation of inflammatory/immune responses and its abnormalities may contribute to a chronic infection, persistent inflammation and autoimmunity. Its role in the pathogenesis of the late Lyme borreliosis manifestations has not been studied so far. We have measured Th lymphocyte apoptosis rate, membrane expression of pro-apoptotic Fas receptor, and supernatant concentrations of selected soluble pro- and anti-apoptotic mediators in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 16 patients with disseminated Lyme borreliosis (6 with osteoarticular symptoms, 7 with neuroborreliosis and 3 with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans) and 8 healthy controls. The cultures stimulated for 48h with live Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii or B. afzelii spirochetes. Fraction of the apoptotic Th (CD3+CD4+) lymphocytes and expression of Fas in this cell population was measured cytometrically and concentrations of soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand, IL-10, IL-12 and TGF-ß in culture supernatant with ELISA assays. The expression of IL-10, soluble and membrane Fas and soluble Fas ligand was increased under stimulation and higher in the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto than the other species. Apoptosis rate was not affected. There was no difference between Lyme borreliosis patients and controls. IL-10 concentration correlated negatively with the membrane Fas expression and apoptosis under stimulation with B. afzelii and B. garinii. Expression of Fas/FasL system is up-regulated under stimulation with B. burgdorferi, but without corresponding increase in lymphocyte apoptosis. Variable responses observed with different B. burgdorferi species may reflect differences in the pathogenesis of the infection in vivo.

Tuberculoma of the central nervous system--a case report.

Tuberculoma of the brain is a rare form of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis with non-specific clinical manifestation. Due to its similarity with many other infectious and non-infectious lesions, diagnosis is difficult. The study presents the case of a patient who developed CNS tuberculoma during the course of tuberculous meningitis.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of knee joints in patients with Lyme disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic images of patients with chronic knee pain and serologic features of Lyme disease. METHODS: Seventy-six patients hospitalized in The Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University in Bialystok, Poland were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) the Lyme disease group included patients with pain in one or both knees and anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies with symptoms lasting for over 6 months; (2) the control group included patients suffering from pain in one or both knees for over 6 months, but for whom B. burgdorferi infection was excluded. RESULTS: The most frequent ultrasonographic finding in the Lyme disease group was effusion, and its frequency was significantly higher than in the control group. No patient in the control group presented with synovitis or cartilage damage, while these were quite frequent findings in the Lyme disease group. Baker's cysts were more frequent in the Lyme disease group, but this was statistically non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography may be useful in following the sequelae of Lyme disease. The abnormalities found in Lyme disease patients are non-specific and ultrasonography is not useful in the differential diagnosis.

[Neuroradiologic imaging results suggestive of parasitic cysts in central nervous system in course of neoplastic disorders--cases report]. / Obraz neuroradiologiczny imitujacy torbiele pasozytnicze osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego w przebiegu chorób nowotworowych--opisy przypadków.

Cystic changes within CNS, revealed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, pose difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem. We present two patients with primary diagnosis of parasitic cysts of CNS, in whom neoplastic etiology was finally confirmed. Differential diagnosis of cystic foci should from the beginning include not only parasitic infections, but also neoplastic diseases, which are much more frequent in Poland at present and in which prolonged diagnostic process and delayed treatment is highly unfavorable.

[Post Lyme syndrome as a clinical problem]. / Zespól post Lyme jako problem kliniczny.

Lyme disease is a chronic tick borne disease, caused by spirochetes B. burgdorferi. The condition influences mostly on skin, nervous system, skeletal system and circulatory system. Recently more and more reports of so called "Post Lyme syndrome (PLS)" have appeared. PLS is a new clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problem connected with patients with a history of Lyme disease (with proper antibiotic treatment). The symptoms of Post Lyme Syndrome may be present throughout months or even years. These are: fatigue, widespread musculoskeletal pain, dysmnesia, concentration difficulties. Pathogenesis of PLS is unknown. It is suspected that main factors responsible for PLS are: slow regression of infection, its turning into chronic process and permanent destruction of tissues or induction of immunological response against B. burgdorferi. Diagnostic of PLS is difficult. Mostly results of serological examination are negative. In some cases antibodies titer is positive as a sign of past disease. So far there is no causative treatment of PLS. Antidepressants, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines are recommended.

[Fractalkine--structure, functions and biological activity]. / Fraktalkina--budowa, wlasnosci i biologiczna rola.

Although chemokines, as chemotactic factors, were already known in 70's of the past century, it was only the progress in molecular biology, genetics and immunology which occurred in the past few years that opened the way to discover new molecules, their chemical structure and biological functions. Fkn (fractalkine, CX3CL1) is a unique chemokine and the only representative of CX3C group. It exists as a membrane-bound and soluble form. It interacts with cells expressing CX3CR1, a G-coupled protein receptor. The polymorphism of CX3CR1 gene modulates Fkn affinity to its receptror, which influences the risk of development and progression of various diseases. Its unique character is determined by its functions. Fkn is not only a chemotactic factor, but it also participates in leukocyte trafficking, adhesion and cytotoxic activities, modulates expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules, free oxygen radicals, iNOS and influences apoptosis. Its elucidation should not only help understanding of molecular events occurring in many autoimmune inflammatory, neoplasmatic diseases, but would allow to use Fkn, its receptor, or anti-Fkn antibodies in treatment of those diseases.

[Long-term fever as a first symptom of neoplasmatic process in young patients--case reports]. / Dlugotrwala goraczka, jako pierwszy objaw choroby nowotworowej u osób mlodych--opis przypadków.

UNLABELLED: Fever is a thermoregulation disorder with body temperature increased (above 38 degrees C). The most often accompanies infections, but it may also be a symptom of neoplasmatic disease. CASE REPORTS: In our paper we described 2 patients, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections with fever as a main symptom. Laboratory tests excluded the infection as causative agents of a long term fever. Wide spectrum diagnosis in both cases led to diagnosis of neoplasmatic disease. Presented cases indicate that in patents with long term fever, even in young age, neoplasmatic process should be taken into consideration.

[Transforming growth factor beta, metalloproteinase 2 and its tissue inhibitor 2 in the serum from patients with early and late boreliosis]. / Transformujacy czynnik wzrostu beta oraz metaloproteinaza 2 i jej tkankowy inhibitor 2 w surowicy chorych na wczesnq i pózna borelioze z Lyme.

UNLABELLED: Boreliosis is an arthropod transmitted, bacterial infection, known for its complicated pathogenesis and prolonged course. Boreliosis can be divided into early, localized type, early generalized type as well as late type. Cytokines control homeostasis of the organism by transmitting signals between cells. TGF (transforming growth factor) beta is one of the cytokines that modulates cell differentiation, proliferation and angiogenesis. In larger concentrations it blocks the expression of IL-1 and TNF-alfa. TGF-beta stimulates production of selectin, collagen, fibrinoectin and integrin. It inhibits metalloproteinase that causes degradation of the above mentioned proteins. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: We assessed a concentration of TGF-beta in the blood of patients presented with an early form of boreliosis Erythema Migrans (EM) as well as in patients with an advanced form of this disease Lyme arthritis (LA) In addition, levels of metalloproteinase (MMP-2), its tissue inhibitor (TIMP) was assessed. We attempted to analyze the effects of treatment by measuring specific markers of inflammation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We tested a group of 40 patients with Lyme disease. The first group included 20 patients with an early form--(EM), while the second group of 20 patients, had a chronic form of the disease--(LA). The control group consisted of 8 healthy blood donors. The serum levels of TGF beta, metalloproteinase (MMP-2) and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) were obtained using ELISA. Levels were obtained prior to treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment with Doxycyclin or Rocephin (Ceftriaxon). RESULTS: The results indicated that levels of TGF-beta were lower in the Lyme patients than in the healthy control. In the patients group, the early form of disease had higher levels of TGF-beta than in the chronic. Acute, early phase group had also higher serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in comparison to the chronic stage group. LA group showed correlation between TGF-beta concentration and levels of MMP-2. It has not been the case in the acute stage of the disease. Both groups of patients had higher levels of IL-1-aRII and selectin E in comparison with control. CONCLUSIONS: As suggested by the results, decreased levels of TGF-beta in patients with boreliosis can be due to increased levels of MMP-2 and TIMP. The above markers and their concentration can be useful in the monitoring of the effectiveness of provided therapy and suggest that inflammation can persist in spite of the normalization of the clinical picture. The results suggest extremely complicated pathophysiology of Lyme disease where pro and antiinflammatory cytokines are as important as the pathogen itself.

[Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in inflammatory process]. / Znaczenie reaktywnych form tlenu i azotu w patomechanizmie procesu zapalnego.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated in every cell during normal oxidation. The most important ROS include: superoxide anion (O2*-), hydroxyl radical (OH*), hydroperoxyl radical (HO2*), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and singlet oxygen ((1)O2*-). Reactive oxygen species can react with key cellular structures and molecules altering their biological function. Similarly reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as nitric oxide (NO) or peroxinitrite anion (ONOO-) have physiological activity or reacts with different types of molecules to form toxic products. ROS and RNS are important in process of energy generation, lipids peroxidation, protein and DNA oxidation, nitration, nitrosation or nitrosylation and catecholamine response. Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species are neutralized by enzymatic activity or natural antioxidants that stop the initial formation of radicals. Overproduction of ROS or RNS results in "oxidative" or "nitrosative" stress which contributes to variety of pathological processes typical for different cancer, neurodegenerative, viral, toxic or inflammatory diseases.

[Concentration of sFas and sFasL in the supernatant of PBMC culture from the patients with late lyme borreliosis]. / Stfizenia bialek sFas i sFasL w hodowli komórek jednojadrzastych krwi obwodowej chorych z pózna borelioza z lyme.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent, inadequate inflammatory response present in late Lyme borreliosis may be driven by activated T lymphocytes. We estimated synthesis of extracellular proteins: soluble Fas receptor (sFas) and its ligand (sFasL), which might protect T lymphocytes from physiologic apoptosis, in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture from patients with late borreliosis. METHODS: Lyme borreliosis group (LB) consisted of 20 patients with Lyme borreliosis present for >6 months. Six patients without any active infection constituted the control group (K). PBMC were incubated for 7 days with phytohemaglutinine or suspension of Borrelia afzeli (Ba), B. garinii (Bg) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bss) spirochetes. sFas and sFasL concentrations were measured in the culture supernatant with ELISA. RESULTS: In LB mean sFasL concentration was increased significantly under stimulation with phytohemaglutinine, Ba and Bg, and, with borderline significance, with Bss, in comparison with unstimulated culture. sFas also tended to increase, which was significant with phytohemaglutinine and borderline with Bg. In K sFas and sFasL was not significantly increased under antigenic stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Increased synthesis of antiapoptotic factors by PBMC from patients with late borreliosis incubated with B. burgdorferi antigens may suggest impaired apoptosis of T lymphocytes contributing to persistent inflammatory response in this patients.

[Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-15 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with neuroborreliosis undergoing antibiotic treatment]. / Zmiany stezenia wybranych cytokin prozapalnych IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-12 i IL-15 w surowicy oraz plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym pod wplywem antybiotykoterapii u chorych na neuroborelioze.

UNLABELLED: Pathogenesis of Lyme disease, including neuroborreliosis, remains unclear. However, pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to be involved and might be used to monitor the course of the disease. It has been also shown that B. burgdorferi protects itself from elimination by modulating function of the host's immune system. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of selected cytokines in patients with neuroborreliosis and their change during antibiotic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group of 25 patients was examined, all undergoing antibiotic therapy due to meningitis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection. The group included 10 (40%) females and 15 (60%) males in the mean age x = 42,3 years. The control group for serum measurements consisted of 25 healthy individuals (mean age x =43, 1) while control group for CSF study included 10 patients (aged x = 53,5 years) from whom CSF with normal parameters was taken during diagnostic procedures neurosurgical. We examined serum and CSF before and after antibiotics for concentrations of interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-15 (IL-15). RESULTS: In the first examination the significant increase of IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-2, IL-15 serum and CSF concentration was detected in comparison to control group. After 4-weeks antibiotic treatment the concentrations of studied cytokines decreased significantly in serum as well as in CSF but remained increased in comparison with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although antibiotic treatment leads to withdrawal of clinical symptoms of neuroborreliosis and normalization of CSF general parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines' concentrations in serum and CSF remain elevated. It may be explained by the persistence of inflammatory conditions, perhaps related to surviving of a fraction of Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes within CNS tissue. This phenomenon might lead to development of chronic CNS lesions.

[Concentration of interleukin 6 and 10 in tick-borne and purulend encephalomeningitis]. / Stezenie interleukiny 6 i 10 w kleszczowym oraz ropnym zapaleniu mózgu i opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin (IL-10) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (csf) of patients with tick-borne encephalitis (tbe) and purulent meningitis before and after 4 weeks of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Group I consisted of 23 patients with tbe and group II - 16 patients with bacterial meningitis. Group III (control) consisted of 10 healthy men. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In patients with tbe and purulent meningitis concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 in serum and csf were initially increased and tended to remain increased after 4 weeks of treatment. It suggests significant role of IL-6 and IL-10 in inflammatory process within cns. Higher concentrations of IL-6 than IL-10 in csf than in serum suggests their local synthesis within cns and tendency to the limitation of the inflammatory response to the intratecal compartment. Concentrations of both IL-6 and IL-10 in csf and serum remained sgnificantly higher in patints with purulent meningits than in tbe, both before and after treatment. This observation may be helpful in diagnosing the ethiology of meningitis and meningoencephalitis and monitoring the course of the disease.

[Rotaviruses and adenoviruses as etiologic factors of diarrhoeas at children]. / Rotawirusy i adenowirusy jako czynniki etiologiczne biegunek u dzieci w materiale spzoz w hajnówce.

Viral diarrheas are important clinical and epidemiological problem, especially in small children. In the years 2004-2005 in the Pediatric Ward of the SPZOZ in Hajnowka, among 218 children aged from 0 to 7 years hospitalized with symptoms of the acute diarrhea, rotavirus infection was confirmed in 35.8% and adenovirus in 5.1%. Hospital infections were observed in 0.96% of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Ward for reasons other than the acute diarrhea. The morbidity presented with seasonality characteristic for the temperate climate.