| 1. |
- Nordberg, Marika, et al.
(författare)
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Aetiology of tick-borne infections in an adult swedish population-are co-infections with multiple agents common
- 2014
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Ingår i: Open Journal of Clinical Diagnostics. - Scientific Research : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 2162-5816 .- 2162-5824. ; 4:1, s. 31-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Scandinavia, tick-borne infections affecting humans include Lyme borreliosis (LB), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Each of these infections can present with unspecific symptoms. In this prospective clinical study, we recruited patients based on two independent inclusion criteria; 1) patients with unspecific symptoms, i.e. fever (≥38.0˚C) or a history of feverishness and/or any combination of headache, myalgia or arthralgia and 2) patients with erythema migrans (EM), following an observed tick bite or tick exposure within one month prior to onset of symptoms. A total of 206 patients fulfilled the study. Among these, we could identify 186 cases of LB (174 with EM), 18 confirmed and two probable cases of HGA and two cases of TBE. Thirteen of the HGA cases presented without fever. Furthermore, 22 of the EM patients had a sub-clinical co-infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, based on serology. Both TBE cases had co-infections, one with Borrelia burgdorferi and one with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We conclude that it is important to consider several causative agents and possible co-infections in the clinical management of infectious diseases where ticks may be suspected as vectors.
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| 2. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical appearance of erythema migrans caused by Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii : effect of the patient´s sex
- 2006
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Ingår i: Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift. - : SPRINGER WIEN. - 0043-5325 .- 1613-7671. ; 118:17-18, s. 531-537
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The aim in this survey was to study the clinical characteristics of infections caused by Borrelia genospecies in patients with erythema migrans where Borrelial origin was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The aim was also to study factors influencing the clinical appearance of erythema migrans. Methods: The study was conducted in southern Sweden from May 2001 to December 2003 on patients 18 years and older attending with erythema migrans at outpatient clinics. All erythema migrans were verified by polymerase chain reaction, photographed and categorized into “annular” or “non-annular” lesions. A logistic regression model was used to analyze relations between the appearance of the erythema migrans (i.e., annular or non-annular) and factors that influenced its clinical appearances. Results: A total of 118 patients, 54 women (45.8%) and 64 men (54.2%), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 74% were infected by B. afzelii, 26% by B. garinii ( p < 0.001). A total of 45% (38/85) of the erythema migrans were annular, 46% (39/85) were non-annular and 9.4% (8/85) were atypical. For men infected by B. afzelii the odds ratio of developing non-annular erythema migrans was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.03 - 0.33) in comparison with women with the same infection. Conclusions: In this prospective study of a large series of erythema migrans, where infecting genospecies were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, the sex of patients infected with B. afzelii had a strong influence on the appearance of the rash. Patients infected by B. garinii more often had non-annular erythema migrans and a more virulent infection with more individuals presenting with fever, raised levels of C-reactive protein and seroreactivity in the convalescence sera.
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| 3. |
- Vesikari, Timo, et al.
(författare)
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Immunogenicity and Safety of a Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Children 6 Months to 17 Years of Age, Previously Vaccinated with an AS03-Adjuvanted A(H1N1)Pdm09 Vaccine Two Open-label, Randomized Trials
- 2015
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Ingår i: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. - 0891-3668 .- 1532-0987. ; 34:7, s. 774-782
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: During the influenza pandemic 2009-2010, an AS03-adjuvanted A(H1N1) pdm09 vaccine was used extensively in children 6 months of age and older, and during the 2010-2011 influenza season, the A(H1N1) pdm09 strain was included in the seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) without adjuvant. We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of TIV in children previously vaccinated with the AS03-adjuvanted A(H1N1) pdm09 vaccine. Methods: Healthy children were randomized (1:1) to receive TIV or a control vaccine. Children were aged 6 months to 9 years (n = 154) and adolescents 10-17 years (n = 77) when they received AS03-adjuvanted A(H1N1) pdm09 vaccine at least 6 months before study enrolment. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing antibody responses against the A(H1N1) pdm09 strain were evaluated before (day 0) and at day 28 and month 6 after study vaccination. Reactogenicity was assessed during the 7 day postvaccination period, and safety was assessed for 6 months. Results: At day 0, >93.9% of all children had HI titers >= 1:40 for the A(H1N1) pdm09 strain, which increased to 100% at both day 28 and month 6 in the TIV group. Between days 0 and 28, HI antibody geometric mean titers against A(H1N1) pdm09 increased by 9-fold and 4-fold in children 6 months to 9 years of age and 10-17 years of age, respectively. Conclusion: AS03-adjuvanted A(H1N1) pdm09 vaccine-induced robust immune responses in children that persisted into the next season, yet were still boosted by TIV containing A(H1N1) pdm09. The reactogenicity and safety profile of TIV did not appear compromised by prior receipt of AS03adjuvanted A(H1N1) pdm09 vaccine.
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| 4. |
- Kjellberg, A., et al.
(författare)
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Randomised, controlled, open label, multicentre clinical trial to explore safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen for preventing ICU admission, morbidity and mortality in adult patients with COVID-19
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 11:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction COVID-19 may cause severe pneumonitis and trigger a massive inflammatory response that requires ventilatory support. The intensive care unit (ICU)-mortality has been reported to be as high as 62%. Dexamethasone is the only of all anti-inflammatory drugs that have been tested to date that has shown a positive effect on mortality. We aim to explore if treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is safe and effective for patients with severe COVID-19. Our hypothesis is that HBO can prevent ICU admission, morbidity and mortality by attenuating the inflammatory response. The primary objective is to evaluate if HBO reduces the number of ICU admissions compared with best practice treatment for COVID-19, main secondary objectives are to evaluate if HBO reduces the load on ICU resources, morbidity and mortality and to evaluate if HBO mitigates the inflammatory reaction in COVID-19. Methods and analysis A randomised, controlled, phase II, open label, multicentre trial. 200 subjects with severe COVID-19 and at least two risk factors for mortality will be included. Baseline clinical data and blood samples will be collected before randomisation and repeated daily for 7 days, at days 14 and 30. Subjects will be randomised with a computer-based system to HBO, maximum five times during the first 7 days plus best practice treatment or only best practice treatment. The primary endpoint, ICU admission, is defined by criteria for selection for ICU. We will evaluate if HBO mitigates the inflammatory reaction in COVID-19 using molecular analyses. All parameters are recorded in an electronic case report form. An independent Data Safety Monitoring Board will review the safety parameters. Ethics and dissemination The trial is approved by The National Institutional Review Board in Sweden (2020-01705) and the Swedish Medical Product Agency (5.1-2020-36673). Positive, negative and any inconclusive results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals with open access.
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| 5. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical Outcome of Erythema Migrans after Treatment with Phenoxymethyl Penicillin
- 2003
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 35:2, s. 129-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a 5 y retrospective follow-up study in southern Sweden of 708 adult individuals with erythema migrans as the single manifestation of Lyme borreliosis, the clinical outcome and the antibiotic treatment were studied. 80%, were treated with phenoxymethyl penicillin, 15% with doxycycline and 5% with other antibiotics. Phenoxymethyl penicillin and doxycycline were extremely effective: 98 and 94% of the individuals reported complete recovery without complications. Few individuals reported the development of new symptoms following treatment and none developed any late manifestation of Lyme borreliosis during the observation period. Thus, in the area studied the treatment of the early localized manifestation of Lyme borreliosis (erythema migrans) with antibiotics was extremely successful. The current Swedish recommendation to use phenoxymethyl penicillin, when no sign of disseminated infection or coinfection with other tick-borne pathogens is present, seems excellent.
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| 6. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Increased incidence of Lyme borreliosis in southern Sweden following mild winters and during warm, humid summers.
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : SPRINGER. - 0934-9723 .- 1435-4373. ; 25:7, s. 426-432
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term incidence rate of Lyme borreliosis and, additionally, to determine whether a correlation exists between climatic factors and summer-season variations in the incidence of Lyme borreliosis. Climatic variability acts directly on tick population dynamics and indirectly on human exposure to Lyme borreliosis spirochetes. In this study, conducted in primary healthcare clinics in southeastern Sweden, electronic patient records from 1997-2003 were searched for those that fulfilled the criteria for erythema migrans. Using a multilevel Poisson regression model, the influence of various climatic factors on the summer-season variations in the incidence of erythema migrans were studied. The mean annual incidence rate was 464 cases of erythema migrans per 100,000 inhabitants. The incidence was significantly higher in women than in men, 505 and 423 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively (p<0.001). The summer-season variations in the erythema migrans incidence rate correlated with the monthly mean summer temperatures (incidence rate ratio 1.12; p<0.001), the number of winter days with temperatures below 0 degrees C (incidence rate ratio 0.97; p<0.001), the monthly mean summer precipitation (incidence rate ratio 0.92; p<0.05), and the number of summer days with relative humidity above 86% (incidence rate ratio 1.04; p<0.05). In conclusion, Lyme borreliosis is highly endemic in southeastern Sweden. The climate in this area, which is favourable not only for human tick exposure but also for the abundance of host-seeking ticks, influences the summer-season variations in the incidence of Lyme borreliosis.
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| 7. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Reinfection with Lyme borreliosis : A retrospective follow-up study in southern Sweden
- 2002
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - OSLO : TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; , s. 183-186
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a 5-y retrospective follow-up study in southern Sweden that initially included > 1000 individuals with previously diagnosed erythema migrans, factors that influenced the risk of reinfection with Lyme borreliosis were elucidated. The total frequency of reinfection was 4% and the number of tick bites influenced the risk of reinfection: those bitten > 10 times during the observation period had a 4-8-fold increased risk compared with those bitten < 5 times. Women manifested to a greater extent than men although both genders were bitten equally by ticks, thus indicating that women may be more susceptible to reinfection. All reinfected women were > 44 y old. The county of Kalmar including Oland was found to be highly endemic for reinfection with Lyme borreliosis. Thus the number of tick bites, gender, age and study area influenced the risk of reinfection.
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| 8. |
- Berglund, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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5-y follow-up study of patients with neuroborreliosis
- 2002
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 34:6, s. 421-425
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this follow-up study was to determine the long-term outcome of strictly classified cases of neuroborreliosis treated with antibiotics. A one-year prospective population-based survey of Lyme borreliosis was conducted in southern Sweden, between 1992 and 1993. A total of 349 identified cases with suspected neuroborreliosis were followed up 5 years later. Medical records were reviewed and all participants filled in a questionnaire. Of those classified with definite neuroborreliosis 114/130 completed the follow-up, of whom 111 had completed the initial antibiotic treatment. Of the 114 patients followed up, 86 (75%) had recovered completely and 70 (61%) had recovered within 6 months. Residual neurological symptoms such as facial palsy, concentration disorder, paresthesia and/or neuropathy were reported by 28/114. No significant differences between different antibiotic treatments were observed in terms of occurrence of sequelae. To conclude, we found that 25% (95% confidence interval 17-33%) of the patients suffered from residual neurological symptoms 5 years post-treatment. However, the clinical outcome of treated neuroborreliosis is favourable as only 14/114 (12%) of the patients had sequelae that influenced their daily activity post-treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment would seem to be of great importance in order to avoid such sequelae.
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| 9. |
- Stjernberg, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Detecting ticks on light versus dark clothing
- 2005
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 37:5, s. 361-364
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is common belief that ticks are more visible and easier to detect on light clothing in comparison with dark clothing. We studied which of the clothing, light or dark, had the least attractive effect on Ixodes ricinus, thus minimizing exposure and thereby in theory help to prevent tick borne diseases in humans. Ten participants, exposed by walking in tick endemic areas, wore alternately light and dark clothing before every new exposure. Nymphal and adult ticks on the clothing were collected and counted. Totally, 886 nymphal ticks were collected. The overall mean in found ticks between the both groups differed significantly, with 20.8 more ticks per person on light clothing. All participants had more ticks on light clothing in all periods of exposure. Dark clothing seems to attract fewer ticks.
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| 10. |
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