| 1. |
- Adams, Yvonne, et al.
(author)
-
3D blood-brain barrier-organoids as a model for Lyme neuroborreliosis highlighting genospecies dependent organotropism
- 2023
-
In: ISCIENCE. - : CELL PRESS. - 2589-0042. ; 26:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), a tick-borne infection caused by spirochetes within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.L.) complex, is among the most prevalent bacterial central nervous system (CNS) infections in Europe and the US. Here we have screened a panel of low- passage B. burgdorferi s.l. isolates using a novel, human-derived 3D blood-brain barrier (BBB)-organoid model. We show that human-derived BBB-organoids support the entry of Borrelia spirochetes, leading to swelling of the organoids and a loss of their structural integrity. The use of the BBB-organoid model highlights the organotropism between B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies and their ability to cross the BBB contributing to CNS infection.
|
|
| 2. |
- Araghi, Marzieh, et al.
(author)
-
Use of moist oral snuff (snus) and pancreatic cancer : Pooled analysis of nine prospective observational studies
- 2017
-
In: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 141:4, s. 687-693
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While smoking is a well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer, the effect of smokeless tobacco is less well understood. We used pooled individual data from the Swedish Collaboration on Health Effects of Snus Use to assess the association between Swedish snus use and the risk of pancreatic cancer. A total of 424,152 male participants from nine cohort studies were followed up for risk of pancreatic cancer through linkage to health registers. We used shared frailty models with random effects at the study level, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for confounding factors. During 9,276,054 person-years of observation, 1,447 men developed pancreatic cancer. Compared to never-snus use, current snus use was not associated with risk of pancreatic cancer (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.83-1.11) after adjustment for smoking. Swedish snus use does not appear to be implicated in the development of pancreatic cancer in men. Tobacco smoke constituents other than nicotine or its metabolites may account for the relationship between smoking and pancreatic cancer. What's new? While smoking is a well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer, the effect of smokeless tobacco is less well understood. Smokeless tobacco like snus yields lower exposure to tobacco carcinogens compared with smoking, because it does not undergo combustion, but delivers an equivalent dose of nicotine. Using pooled individual data from the Swedish Collaboration on Health Effects of Snus Use, here the authors show that Swedish snus use does not appear to be implicated in the development of pancreatic cancer in men. Tobacco smoke constituents other than nicotine or its metabolites may account for the relationship between smoking and pancreatic cancer.
|
|
| 3. |
- Edvinsson, Åsa, 1982-, et al.
(author)
-
Placental glucocorticoid receptors are not affected by maternal depression or SSRI treatment.
- 2020
-
In: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. - : Uppsala Medical Society. - 0300-9734 .- 2000-1967. ; 125:1, s. 30-36
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Prenatal depression is common, with an estimate that up to one in five pregnant women suffers from depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth-weight. Such outcomes possibly affect offspring development. Previous studies suggest placental RNA levels of the glucocorticoid receptor are altered by maternal depression or anxiety; this stress may affect the placenta of male and female foetuses differently. However, it is unknown if the protein levels and activity of this receptor are additionally affected in women with depressive symptoms or being pharmacologically treated for depression.Methods: In this study, we investigated whether the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in the placenta is affected by maternal depression and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) treatment. Placentas from 45 women with singleton, term pregnancies were analysed by Western blot to determine glucocorticoid receptor levels, and by DNA-binding capacity to measure glucocorticoid receptor activation.Results: There were no differences in levels of the glucocorticoid receptor or activity between groups (control, depressive symptoms, and SSRI treatment; n = 45). Similarly, there was no difference in placental glucocorticoid receptor levels or activity dependent upon foetal sex.Conclusion: Maternal depression and SSRI treatment do not affect the glucocorticoid receptors in the placenta.
|
|
| 4. |
- Haglund, Sofie, 1975-, et al.
(author)
-
CXCL13 in laboratory diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis-the performance of the recomBead and ReaScan CXCL13 assays in human cerebrospinal fluid samples
- 2022
-
In: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : Springer. - 0934-9723 .- 1435-4373. ; 41:1, s. 175-179
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The chemokine CXCL13 is used as complement to serology in the diagnostics of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). We evaluated and compared the semi-quantitative, cassette-based ReaScan CXCL13 assay with the quantitative recomBead CXCL13 assay using a collection of 209 cerebrospinal fluid samples. The categorical agreement between results interpreted as negative, grey zone, and positive by the two methods was 87%. The diagnostic sensitivity was higher using the recomBead assay, whereas specificity was higher using ReaScan. Few manual steps, and a short turn-around time with no batching of samples makes the ReaScan CXCL13 assay an attractive complement to serology in the diagnostics of LNB.
|
|
| 5. |
- Henningsson, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Evaluation of two assays for CXCL13 analysis in cerebrospinal fluid for laboratory diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis
- 2016
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : WILEY-BLACKWELL. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 124:11, s. 985-990
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We evaluated the diagnostic performance of two assays, one bead-based assay and one enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the determination of CXCL13 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with suspected Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). Patients investigated for LNB were retrospectively included (n = 132): 35 with definite LNB, 8 with possible LNB with CSF pleocytosis but normal antibody index (AI), 6 with possible LNB with elevated AI but no CSF pleocytosis and 83 non-LNB patients. CSF samples had been drawn before antibiotic treatment and were analysed for CXCL13 by Quantikine ELISA (Ramp;D Systems) and recomBead (Mikrogen). Receiver operating characteristic analyses based on the definite LNB and non-LNB groups revealed a best performance cut-off of 56 pg/mL for Quantikine and 158 pg/mL for recomBead (sensitivity and specificity 100% for both assays). When applying these cut-off levels on the study groups, the two assays performed equally well regarding sensitivity and specificity. In the group of patients with pleocytosis but negative AI, the majority of whom were children with short symptom duration, the CXCL13 analysis supported the LNB diagnosis in half of the cases. We consider CSF-CXCL13 analysis a useful diagnostic tool, in addition to Borrelia-specific AI, in laboratory diagnostics of LNB.
|
|
| 6. |
- Hvidsten, D., et al.
(author)
-
The distribution limit of the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, and some associated pathogens in north-western Europe
- 2020
-
In: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1877-959X .- 1877-9603. ; 11:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In north-western Europe, the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, is widely established, its distribution appears to be increasing and the spread of tick-borne diseases is of increasing concern. The project Flatt i Nord (Ticks in northern Norway) commenced in spring 2009 with the intention of studying the ticks distribution and that of its pathogens in northern Norway. Several methods were used: cloth-dragging, collecting from trapped small mammals, and collecting from pets. Since 2010, the occurrence of ticks in the region of northern Norway was determined directly by cloth-dragging 167 times in 109 separate locations between the latitudes of 64 degrees N and 70 degrees N (included seven locations in the northern part of Trondelag County). The northernmost location of a permanent I. ricinus population was found to be Nordoyvagen (66.2204 degrees N, 12.59 degrees E) on the Island of Donna. In a sample of 518 nymphal and adult ticks, the Borrelia prevalence collected close to this distribution limit varied but was low (1-15 %) compared with the locations in Trondelag, south of the study area (15-27 %). Five specimens (1 %) were positive for Rickettsia helvetica. The length of the vegetation growing season (GSL) can be used as an approximate index for the presence of established populations of I. ricinus. The present study suggests that the threshold GSL for tick establishment is about 170 days, because the median GSL from 1991 to 2015 was 174-184 days at sites with permanent tick populations, showing a clear increase compared with the period 1961-1990. This apparent manifestation of climate change could explain the northward extension of the range of I. ricinus.
|
|
| 7. |
- Jonsson Henningsson, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
The chemokine CXCL13 in cerebrospinal fluid in children with Lyme neuroborreliosis
- 2018
-
In: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0934-9723 .- 1435-4373. ; 37:10, s. 1983-1991
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Anti-Borrelia antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are required for definite diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). However, children often present with early LNB, and antibody production in the CSF may not be demonstrated. Recent studies have suggested the chemokine CXCL13 to be an early marker for LNB. The aim of the study was to evaluate CXCL13 for laboratory diagnosis in pediatric LNB patients and to evaluate the association with pleocytosis in CSF, clinical features, and recovery. CSF samples were collected from LNB patients, classified as definite LNB (n = 44) or possible LNB (n = 22), and controls classified as non-LNB (n = 102) or other specific diagnoses (n = 23). CSF samples were analyzed with the recomBead CXCL13 assay (Mikrogen Diagnostik, Germany), cut-off 160 pg/mL. CXCL13 was significantly higher in LNB patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). Among LNB patients, 58/66 had elevated CXCL13, and among controls, 111/125 had CXCL13 levels under cut-off (sensitivity 88%, specificity 89%). In LNB patients with pleocytosis but no detectable anti-Borrelia antibodies in CSF (possible LNB), CXCL13 was elevated in 16/22 (73%). A weak correlation between CXCL13 and pleocytosis in CSF was found in LNB patients (Rho = 0.46, p < 0.01), but no differences in CXCL13 levels in relation to specific clinical features. In conclusion, CXCL13 is elevated in CSF in children with LNB, showing acceptable sensitivity and specificity. In patients with possible LNB, CXCL13 was elevated in a majority of cases (73%) and is suggested as a complementary diagnostic tool in pediatric LNB patients. CXCL13 was not associated with specific clinical features or recovery.
|
|
| 8. |
- Lager, Malin, 1975-
(author)
-
Molecular and serological tools for clinical diagnostics of Lyme borreliosis - can the laboratory analysis be improved?
- 2020
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Lyme borreliosis (LB) is caused by spirochetes within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and is the most common tick-transmitted disease in the northern hemisphere. The transmission of the spirochetes to humans in Europe is done by the Ixodes ricinus ticks, which can also transmit the relapsing fever species Borrelia miyamotoi. LB may cause clinical manifestations in the skin, in the central nervous system, in joints, and in the heart. Diagnosis of LB is mainly based on the patient´s medical history, self-described symptoms, and clinical signs in combination with the detection of Borrelia-specific antibodies (serological methods). In some cases/issues, detection of Borrelia-specific deoxyribonucleic acid (molecular methods) may be used as a complement to serology. All diagnosed LB infections are treated with antibiotics to prevent disease progression, and most patients fully recover without further sequelae. The overall aims of this thesis were to evaluate molecular and serological tools for laboratory diagnosis of LB, with a special focus on Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), and to identify potential improvements.The results presented in this thesis showed that the immunoglobulin (Ig) G assays, currently in use in northern Europe for detection of antibodies in serum, had high diagnostic sensitivity (88 %) together with comparable results both between and within assays. For the IgM assays, the diagnostic sensitivity was lower (59 %) with more heterogeneous results. Small variations in diagnostic performance for IgM and IgG were mainly presented for samples within the borderline zone. These results support the theory that separate testing of IgM antibodies in serum has low diagnostic value. However, simultaneous detection in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for both IgM and IgG antibodies was essential for the diagnosis of LNB, at least for certain assays.So far (to our knowledge), no systematic evaluation and optimisation of the pre-analytical handling of CSF samples before molecular testing has been performed. By use of the precipitate concentrated by moderate centrifugation, extraction of total nucleic acid followed by reversetranscription to complementary deoxyribonucleic acid, in combination with the absence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors, detection of Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. miyamotoi was possible. These four species are all known to be pathogenic to humans. The results revealed a high analytical sensitivity and specificity for the optimised pre-analytical conditions. The thesis also presents results showing that the real-time PCR protocols currently used in Scandinavia have high analytical sensitivity, specificity, and concordance. This indicates that the low diagnostic sensitivity for detection of Borrelia in CSF was not a result of poorly designed and evaluated PCR protocols, but was possibly due to the low number of spirochetes in the samples. However, to further evaluate the diagnostic performance for detection of Borrelia in CSF by PCR, clinical samples need to be evaluated based on our new recommendations for the pre-analytical handling of CSF samples.In conclusion, this thesis presents results revealing that both molecular and serological tools for detection of Borrelia have, in general high sensitivity and specificity with results comparable between different protocols and different laboratories. It also presents recommendations for pre-analytical handling of CSF samples before PCR-analysis, and shows the benefits in diagnostic performance by simultaneous detection of IgM and IgG antibodies in serum and CSF for accurate diagnosis of LNB. Even though the techniques mentioned above have high analytical performance, the ability to discriminate an active infection from a previous one is limited and further studies need to be carried out. These studies need to focus on finding diagnostic tools that can help physicians to determine ongoing infection to ensure adequate treatment. It is also desirable to improve the standardisation of the diagnostic tools and to find methods that can discriminate between different Borrelia species.
|
|
| 9. |
- Lager, Malin, et al.
(author)
-
Molecular Detection of Borrelia Bacteria in Cerebrospinal Fluid-Optimisation of Pre-Analytical Sample Handling for Increased Analytical Sensitivity
- 2021
-
In: Diagnostics. - : MDPI. - 2075-4418. ; 11:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The main tools for clinical diagnostics of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) are based on serology, i.e., detection of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In some cases, PCR may be used as a supplement, e.g., on CSF from patients with early LNB. Standardisation of the molecular methods and systematic evaluation of the pre-analytical handling is lacking. To increase the analytical sensitivity for detection of Borrelia bacteria in CSF by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, parameters were systematically evaluated on CSF samples spiked with a known amount of cultured Borrelia bacteria. The results showed that the parameters such as centrifugation time and speed, the use of complementary DNA as a template (in combination with primers and a probe aiming at target gene 16S rRNA), and the absence of inhibitors (e.g., erythrocytes) had the highest impact on the analytical sensitivity. Based on these results, a protocol for optimised handling of CSF samples before molecular analysis was proposed. However, no clinical evaluation of the proposed protocol has been done so far, and further investigations of the diagnostic sensitivity need to be performed on well-characterised clinical samples from patients with LNB.
|
|
| 10. |
- Lager, Malin, et al.
(author)
-
Molecular detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato - An analytical comparison of real-time PCR protocols from five different Scandinavian laboratories
- 2017
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 12:9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick transmitted disease in Europe. The diagnosis of LB today is based on the patient A s medical history, clinical presentation and laboratory findings. The laboratory diagnostics are mainly based on antibody detection, but in certain conditions molecular detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may serve as a complement. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity and concordance of eight different real-time PCR methods at five laboratories in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Method Each participating laboratory was asked to analyse three different sets of samples (reference panels; all blinded) i) cDNA extracted and transcribed from water spiked with cultured Borrelia strains, ii) cerebrospinal fluid spiked with cultured Borrelia strains, and iii) DNA dilution series extracted from cultured Borrelia and relapsing fever strains. The results and the method descriptions of each laboratory were systematically evaluated. Results and conclusions The analytical sensitivities and the concordance between the eight protocols were in general high. The concordance was especially high between the protocols using 16S rRNA as the target gene, however, this concordance was mainly related to cDNA as the type of template. When comparing cDNA and DNA as the type of template the analytical sensitivity was in general higher for the protocols using DNA as template regardless of the use of target gene. The analytical specificity for all eight protocols was high. However, some protocols were not able to detect Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia lusitaniae or Borrelia japonica.
|
|
| 11. |
|
|
| 12. |
- Lager, Susanne, 1978, et al.
(author)
-
Perinatal lack of maternal IL-6 promotes increased adiposity during adulthood in mice.
- 2011
-
In: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7170 .- 0013-7227. ; 152:4, s. 1336-46
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The perinatal environment appears important in establishing metabolic phenotypes in adulthood. Mice deficient in IL-6 (IL-6(-/-)) tend to develop mature-onset obesity, but it is unknown whether perinatal exposure to IL-6 produced by the dam influences the metabolism of adult offspring. To address this issue, we monitored IL-6(-/-) offspring of IL-6(-/-) or IL-6(+/-) dams, as well as wild-type (WT) mice. At adult age, IL-6(-/-) mice weighed significantly more and had more body fat than WT mice, regardless of maternal genotype, and had lower insulin sensitivity. This phenotype was more pronounced in IL-6(-/-) offspring of IL-6(-/-) dams, because they gained weight significantly faster than IL-6(-/-) offspring of IL-6(+/-) dams and had more body fat and higher serum leptin levels at an earlier age. The leptin content was 2-fold higher in milk from IL-6(-/-) than WT dams. However, cross-fostering IL-6(-/-) mice with WT dams did not alter body weight, body composition, or adipocyte size at adult age compared with IL-6(-/-) mice fostered by IL-6(-/-) dams. Conversely, WT mice fostered by IL-6(-/-) dams weighed significantly more than those fostered by WT dams and had more body fat, larger adipocytes, and altered hypothalamic gene expression. We conclude that body fat of adult mice can be increased by perinatal exposure to factors affected by lack of maternal IL-6.
|
|
| 13. |
|
|
| 14. |
- Skogman, Barbro Hedin, 1967-, et al.
(author)
-
Cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid in relation to diagnosis, clinical presentation and recovery in children being evaluated for Lyme neuroborreliosis
- 2020
-
In: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 1877-959X .- 1877-9603. ; 11:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Lyme neuroborrelios (LNB), the immune response has been in focus, but the association between different cytokines/chemokines and clinical manifestations in LNB patients has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large number of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in relation to diagnosis, clinical presentation and recovery in children being evaluated for LNB.Materials and methods: Pediatric patients (n = 105) were recruited at seven Swedish pediatric departments during 2010-14. Serum and CSF samples were drawn on admission, before start of antibiotic treatment. Patients diagnosed as Definite LNB or Possible LNB were categorized as LNBtot patients, all LNBtot patients presented with pleocytosis in CSF. Patients diagnosed as Non-LNB or Other diagnosis were categorized as Controls(tot), all controls(tot) presented without pleocytosis in CSF. Multiplex bead array (Luminex) kits were used for analyses of 41 different cytokines/chemokines in CSF (Millipore).Results: Twenty-eight cytokines/chemokines were detectable in CSF and the levels of 26 of these mediators were significantly higher in LNBtot patients than in Controls(tot). In a discriminant analysis, a combination of four cytokines/chemokines (CXCL1, GM-CSF, IL-7 and IL-10) were shown to independently separate relevant patient groups. Furthermore, an IL-10/CXCL1 ratio was created and shown to have an improved diagnostic performance in distinguishing LNBtot vs Non-LNB patients, as compared to CXCL13 in CSF. No immune mediator differed significantly, when comparing LNBtot patients with different clinical presentation on admission or when comparing patients with or without recovery within 2 months of admission.Conclusion: A discriminant analysis was shown to be useful to distinguish the independently most important cytokines/chemokines (CXCL1, GM-CSF, IL-7 and IL-10) in CSF, in order to discriminate LNBtot patients from Non-LNB patients. An IL-10/CXCL1 ratio was shown to have a promising diagnostic profile with a better performance than the chemokine CXCL13 in CSF. However, further evaluation is required to address future possible usefulness of these cytokines and chemokines in laboratory diagnostics in LNB, including control groups with neuro-inflammation. No significant associations were found between CSF immune mediator levels and clinical presentation or recovery in pediatric LNB patients.
|
|
| 15. |
- Thorgeirsdottir, Lilja, et al.
(author)
-
Study protocol: establishment of a multicentre pre-eclampsia database and biobank in Sweden: GO PROVE and UP MOST, a prospective cohort study
- 2021
-
In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 11:11
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction Pre-eclampsia, a multisystem disorder in pregnancy, is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, we lack methods for objective assessment of organ function in pre-eclampsia and predictors of organ impairment during and after pre-eclampsia. The women’s and their partners’ experiences of pre-eclampsia have not been studied in detail. To phenotype different subtypes of the disorder is of importance for prediction, prevention, surveillance, treatment and follow-up of pre-eclampsia.The aim of this study is to set up a multicentre database and biobank for pre-eclampsia in order to contribute to a safer and more individualised treatment and care.Methods and analysis This is a multicentre cohort study. Prospectively recruited pregnant women ≥18 years, diagnosed with pre-eclampsia presenting at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Uppsala University Hospital and at Södra Älvsborgs Hospital, Sweden, as well as normotensive controls are eligible for participation. At inclusion and at 1-year follow-up, the participants donate biosamples that are stored in a biobank and they are also asked to participate in various organ-specific evaluations. In addition, questionnaires and interviews regarding the women’s and partner’s experiences are distributed at follow-up.Ethics and dissemination By creating a database and biobank, we will provide the means to explore the disorder in a broader sense and allow clinical and laboratory discoveries that can be translated to clinical trials aiming at improved care of women with pre-eclampsia. Further, to evaluate experiences and the psychological impact of being affected by pre-eclampsia can improve the care of pregnant women and their partners. In case of incidental pathological findings during examinations performed, they will be handled in accordance with clinical routine. Data are stored in a secure online database. Biobank samples are identified through the women’s personal identification number and pseudonymised after identification in the biobank before analysis.This study was approved by the regional ethical review board in Gothenburg on 28 December 2018 (approval number 955-18) and by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority on 27 February 2019 (approval number 2019-00309).
|
|
| 16. |
- Tjernberg, Ivar, et al.
(author)
-
Identification of potential biomarkers in active Lyme borreliosis
- 2023
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 18:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectivesLyme serology does not readily discriminate an active Lyme borreliosis (LB) from a previous Borrelia infection or exposure. Here, we aimed to investigate a large number of immunological protein biomarkers to search for an immunological pattern typical for active LB, in contrast to patterns found in healthy blood donors, a proportion of whom were previously exposed to Borrelia. MethodsSerum samples from well-characterised adult patients with ongoing LB and healthy blood donors were included and investigated using a proximity extension assay (provided by Olink & REG;) by which 92 different immune response-related human protein biomarkers were analysed simultaneously. ResultsIn total, 52 LB patients and 75 healthy blood donors were included. The blood donors represented both previously Borrelia exposed (n = 34) and not exposed (n = 41) based on anti-Borrelia antibody status. Ten of the examined 92 proteins differed between patients and blood donors and were chosen for further logistic regression (p<0.1). Six proteins were statistically significantly different between LB patients and blood donors (p<0.05). These six proteins were then combined in an index and analysed using receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis showing an area under the curve of 0.964 (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe results from this study suggest that there is an immunological protein pattern that can distinguish a present Borrelia infection from a previous exposure as well as anti-Borrelia antibody negative blood donors. Although this method is not adapted for routine clinical use at this point, the possibility is interesting and may open new diagnostic opportunities improving the laboratory diagnostics of LB.
|
|
| 17. |
- Wilhelmsson, Peter, et al.
(author)
-
Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Blood-Feeding on Migratory Birds in Sweden
- 2024
-
In: Microorganisms. - : MDPI. - 2076-2607. ; 12:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum.
|
|
| 18. |
- Wilhelmsson, Peter, et al.
(author)
-
Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Blood-Feeding on Migratory Birds in Sweden
- 2024
-
In: Microorganisms. - : MDPI. - 2076-2607. ; 12:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum.
|
|
| 19. |
- Östbring, Karolina, et al.
(author)
-
Use of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) for increased circularity and valorization of rapeseed residues
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Environmental Management. - 0301-4797. ; 344
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Europe, rapeseed is a common oilseed crop, resulting in the production of 20 million tons of rapeseed press cake yearly. This press cake can be further upcycled and a protein fraction can be extracted for food purposes, leaving de-proteinized fiber-rich residues. This study examined the use of these residues in the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) and of the spent substrate as feed, since mushroom cultivation may improve the feed properties of substrate. In terms of mushroom production, the addition of rapeseed press residues was beneficial, giving significantly higher biological efficiency (BE = 93.1 ± 11.0%) compared with the control, sugar beet pulp substrate (70.0 ± 6.6%). This increase in productivity can most likely be explained by higher energy content in the substrate supplemented with lipid-rich rapeseed residues. Despite differences in BE between the substrates, high similarity was observed in lipid composition of the fruiting bodies (lipid profile dominated by linoleic acid (18:2), palmitic acid (16:0), and oleic acid (18:1)), and in protein and moisture content. After mushroom harvest, approximately 70% of the initial dry weight of both substrates remained as a possible feed source. Both substrates had significantly lower levels of carbohydrates and unchanged neutral detergent fiber content after mushroom harvest, and both gave lower in vitro digestibility, total gas production, and methane production. However, protein concentration differed between the substrates, with the highest concentration (15.8% of dry weight) found in spent substrate containing rapeseed press residues. The result of the present study suggests that the de-proteinized rapeseed press residue is a resource well-suited for use in the production of mushrooms and feed.
|
|
