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| 3. |
- Ekerfelt, Christina, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Lyme borreliosis in Sweden - Diagnostic performance of five commercial Borrelia serology kits using sera from well-defined patient groups
- 2004
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In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 112:1, s. 74-78
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Five commercial Borrelia serology kits available in Sweden were evaluated and compared for their diagnostic performance in sera from clinically well-characterized patient groups. With the clinically defined groups as the gold standard, i.e. without knowledge of antibody status in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, the diagnostic performance of the kits was compared and important differences in diagnostic usefulness were found. The kits from Abbot and DAKO, that often predict clinically relevant Borrelia infection and do not detect antibodies in sera from patients without strong suspicion of Borrelia infection, were considered the most useful in the population studied. This kind of validation study is an important part of good laboratory practice and should be performed by laboratories serving patient populations with varying endemicity of Borrelia.
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| 4. |
- Ekerfelt, Christina, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Phenotypes indicating cytolytic properties of Borrelia-specific interferon-? secreting cells in chronic Lyme neuroborreliosis
- 2003
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In: Journal of Neuroimmunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-5728 .- 1872-8421. ; 145:1-2, s. 115-126
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The immuno-pathogenetic mechanisms underlying chronic Lyme neuroborreliosis are mainly unknown. Human Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection is associated with Bb-specific secretion of interferon-? (IFN-?), which may be important for the elimination of Bb, but this may also cause tissue injury. In order to increase the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms in chronic neuroborreliosis, we investigated which cell types that secrete IFN-?. Blood mononuclear cells from 13 patients with neuroborreliosis and/or acrodermatitis chronicum atrophicans were stimulated with Bb antigen and the phenotypes of the induced IFN-?-secreting cells were analyzed with three different approaches. Cells expressing CD8 or TCR?d, which both have cytolytic properties, were the main phenotypes of IFN-?-secreting cells, indicating that tissue injury in chronic neuroborreliosis may be mediated by cytotoxic cells.
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| 5. |
- Esamai, Fabian, et al.
(author)
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Cerebral malaria in children : Serum and cerebrospinal fluid TNF-α and TGF-ß levels and their relationship to clinical outcome
- 2003
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In: Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0142-6338 .- 1465-3664. ; 49:4, s. 216-223
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This was a prospective study conducted at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. Twenty‐three children admitted to the hospital with cerebral (CM) and 10 children with noncerebral malaria (NCM) were studied. The aim of the study was to establish and compare levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) and transforming growth factor (TGF‐β1) in these children. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokine levels were assayed using ELISA kits. In serum, TGF‐β1 and TNF‐α decreased over 5 days after admission to the hospital in both groups of patients with CM and NCM. In the CSF of cerebral cases the levels of TNF‐α and TGF‐β1 were low and inversely related. Children in deeper coma had lower levels in serum of TGF‐β and higher levels of TNF‐α than those in lighter levels of coma. The serum TNF‐α levels in CM children were the same irrespective of the duration of illness before admission, but children with NCM who had been sick for a shorter duration before admission tended to have higher serum levels of TNF‐α and higher levels of TGF‐β than those with a longer duration of illness before admission. In conclusion, this study shows that TNF‐α and TGF‐β1 may not be useful in predicting the outcome for CM. They may, however, be useful in detecting children at risk of developing deep coma. TNF‐α and TGF‐β levels were inversely related both in serum and CSF.
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- Fryland, Linda, et al.
(author)
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Biomarkers in blood a few days after a bite by a Borrelia burgdorferi infected tick: : Asymptomatic Borrelia burgdorferi-infected subjects show higher Th1-associated response compared with subjects who later develop Lyme borreliosis
- 2012
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The clinical outcome following infection with Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) differs between individuals, ranging from asymptomatic infection to Lyme borreliosis (LB) with persistent symptoms post-treatment. Previous studies in mice and humans have generated the hypothesis that a successful outcome of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection is associated with an early strong pro-inflammatory T helper (Th)1-like immune response. The aim of this study was to assess the early course of events in B. burgdorferi s.l.-associated inflammation by screening for possible early immune biomarkers in peripheral blood from newly tick-bitten persons. The study subjects bitten by B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected ticks were divided into (1) those later developing clinical LB, (2) those who developed anti-B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies but not clinical LB, (3) those who neither developed antibodies nor clinical LB. A fourth group consisted of bitten study subjects without development of antibodies or clinical LB. Two sets of samples, both comprising all four groups, were collected in order to repeat the analyses and confirm the data. Sera or plasma collected a few days after the tick bite were analysed for 18 biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-27, TNF, CCL18, CCL20, CCL22, CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, calprotectin, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9) by multiplex bead assay and ELISA. In the first set of samples, the neutrophil activation marker calprotectin was increased in subjects who developed clinical LB compared with subjects who developed antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. but did not develop LB. However, the finding could not be confirmed in the second set of samples, thus the study failed to identify an early prognostic marker for development of clinical LB. Interestingly, both sets of samples showed increases in two different Th1-associated markers, CXCL10 and IL-12p70, respectively, in subjects who following a bite by a B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected tick developed antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. but did not develop LB compared with subjects who developed clinical LB, thus supporting the hypothesis of an early strong Th1-response being important for optimal resolution of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection.
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- Gyllemark, Paula, et al.
(author)
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Intrathecal Th17- and B cell-associated cytokine and chemokine responses in relation to clinical outcome in Lyme neuroborreliosis : a large retrospective study.
- 2017
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In: Journal of Neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094 .- 1742-2094. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: B cell immunity, including the chemokine CXCL13, has an established role in Lyme neuroborreliosis, and also, T helper (Th) 17 immunity, including IL-17A, has recently been implicated.METHODS: We analysed a set of cytokines and chemokines associated with B cell and Th17 immunity in cerebrospinal fluid and serum from clinically well-characterized patients with definite Lyme neuroborreliosis (group 1, n = 49), defined by both cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and Borrelia-specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and from two groups with possible Lyme neuroborreliosis, showing either pleocytosis (group 2, n = 14) or Borrelia-specific antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (group 3, n = 14). A non-Lyme neuroborreliosis reference group consisted of 88 patients lacking pleocytosis and Borrelia-specific antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid levels of B cell-associated markers (CXCL13, APRIL and BAFF) were significantly elevated in groups 1, 2 and 3 compared with the reference group, except for BAFF, which was not elevated in group 3. Regarding Th17-associated markers (IL-17A, CXCL1 and CCL20), CCL20 in cerebrospinal fluid was significantly elevated in groups 1, 2 and 3 compared with the reference group, while IL-17A and CXCL1 were elevated in group 1. Patients with time of recovery <3 months had lower cerebrospinal fluid levels of IL-17A, APRIL and BAFF compared to patients with recovery >3 months.CONCLUSIONS: By using a set of markers in addition to CXCL13 and IL-17A, we confirm that B cell- and Th17-associated immune responses are involved in Lyme neuroborreliosis pathogenesis with different patterns in subgroups. Furthermore, IL-17A, APRIL and BAFF may be associated with time to recovery after treatment.
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| 8. |
- Gyllemark, Paula, et al.
(author)
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Intrathecal Th17-driven inflammation is associated with prolonged post-treatment convalescence for patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis
- 2023
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In: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 2045-2322. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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 and knowledge regarding the pathogenesis linked to prolonged recovery is lacking. In this prospective follow-up study, we investigated the B cell-associated and T helper (Th) cell-associated immune responses in well-characterized patients with LNB and controls. The aims were to assess the kinetics of selected cytokines and chemokines involved in the inflammatory response and to identify potential prognostic markers. We investigated 13 patients with LNB according to a standardized clinical protocol before antibiotic treatment and after 1, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. CSF and blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 1 month. As controls, we used CSF samples from 37 patients who received spinal anesthesia during orthopedic surgery. The CSF samples were analyzed for CXCL10 (Th1-related), CCL22 (Th2-related) and IL-17A, CXCL1 and CCL20 (Th17-related), as well as for the B cell-related cytokines of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and CXCL13. The CSF levels of all the cytokines and chemokines, with the exception of APRIL, were significantly higher at baseline in patients with LNB compared with controls. All the cytokines and chemokines, except for IL-17A were significantly reduced at 1-month follow-up. Patients with quick recovery (< 1 month, n = 3) had significantly lower levels of CCL20 at baseline and lower levels of IL-17A at 1-month follow-up. Patients with time of recovery > 6 months (n = 7) had significantly higher levels of IL-17A at the one-month follow-up. No other cytokines or chemokines were associated with prolonged recovery. Dominating residual symptoms were fatigue, myalgia, radiculitis and/or arthralgia. In this prospective follow-up study of patients with LNB, we found significantly lower levels of CCL20 in those who recovered rapidly, and increased levels of IL-17A in patients with delayed recovery post-treatment. Our findings indicate persistent Th17-driven inflammation in the CSF, possibly contributing to a longer convalescence, and suggest IL-17A and CCL20 as potential biomarker candidates for patients with LNB.
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| 9. |
- Gyllemark, Paula, 1975-
(author)
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Tick-borne diseases and the central nervous system : clinical and immunological aspects
- 2023
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is the dominating form of disseminated infection by the tick-borne bacteria Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi in Sweden as well as in Europe. The diagnosis of the manifestation is based on typical symptoms, together with elevated mononuclear cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and elevated levels of Borrelia-specific antibodies in the CSF. The diagnostic arsenal has, in recent years, been complemented by analysis of the chemokine CXCL13 in the CSF, with increasing levels in the early phase of the disease, even before antibodies can be detected in the CSF. Most patients recover within a couple of months after antibiotic treatment, but a few can suffer from residual symptoms. The mechanisms behind this are still puzzling, but there are indications that the host´s immune response may play a role. Prognostic markers would be desirable and in-creased understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms may provide a basis for development of new treatment strategies. Other agents besides B. burgdorferi have, however, also been detected in ticks collected in Sweden, but the knowledge of their impact on human health and their ability to invade the central nervous system (CNS) is limited. The aims of this thesis were to investigate a set of cytokines and chemokines associated with Th1 (CXCL10), Th2 (CCL22), Th17 (IL-17A, CXCL1, CCL20) and B cell (APRIL, BAFF, CXCL13) -related im-munity and its association with recovery in patients with LNB included both retrospectively and prospectively. The chemokine CXCL13 was further analysed, comparing the performance of two different diagnostic methods. In a large cohort of patients investigated for LNB we investigated signs of other tick-borne diseases by analysing serum and CSF using both molecular and serological techniques. In the retrospective cytokine/chemokine study, all investigated cytokines and chemokines; namely, APRIL, BAFF, CXCL13, IL-17A, CXCL1, and CCL20 could be detected at elevated levels in patients with LNB compared to controls. Patients with recovery > 3 months had higher levels of APRIL, BAFF, and IL-17A. In the prospective study, patients with short recovery (< 1 month) had lower levels of CCL20 and patients with prolonged recovery (> 6 months) had higher levels of IL-17A. The analysis of the chemokine CXCL13 with both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a best-performanced cut-off of 56 pg/mL and bead-based (Luminex) method with a best-performance cut-off of 158 pg/mL (both assays with 100% sensitivity and specificity) displayed the im-portance of different cut-offs depending on which method that is used.In 600 patients, we analysed serum and CSF with PCR for the different tick-borne agents Ana-plasma phagocytophilum, B. burgdorfer spp. (including B. miyamotoi), Neoehrlichia (N.) mikurensis, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus. N. mikurensis and B. burgdorferi could be detected by PCR in sera from two patients. Neither PCR, nor serological analysis could detect any potential co-infections.In conclusion, we can corroborate the Th17-related immunity in the pathogenesis of LNB where IL-17A and CCL20 are plausible prognostic markers. Other tick-borne pathogens with possible dissemination to the CNS seems to be uncommon in south-eastern Sweden.
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| 10. |
- Hedin-Skogman, Barbro, et al.
(author)
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Improved Laboratory Diagnostics of Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children
- 2008
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In: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. - 0891-3668 .- 1532-0987. ; 27:7, s. 605-612
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Laboratory diagnostics in Lyme neuroborreliosis need improvement. We hereby investigate 4 new recombinant or peptide Borrelia antigens in cerebrospinal fluid in children with neuroborreliosis to evaluate their performance as diagnostic antigens. Methods: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect IgG antibodies to recombinant decorin binding protein A (DbpA), BBK32, outer surface protein C (OspC), and the invariable region 6 peptide (IR6). The recombinant antigens originated from 3 pathogenic subspecies; Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum from children with clinical features indicative for neuroborreliosis (n = 57) were analyzed. Classification of patients was based on clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. Controls were children with other neurologic diseases (n = 20) and adult patients with no proven infection (n = 16). Results: Sensitivity for DbpA was 82%, for BBK32 70%, for OspC 58% and for IR6 70%. Specificities were 94%, 100%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. No single antigen was superior. When new antigens were combined in a panel, sensitivity was 80% and specificity 100%. The reference flagella antigen showed a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 100%. Over all, the B. garinii related antigens dominated. Conclusions: Recombinant DbpA and BBK32 as well as the peptide antigen IR6 perform well in laboratory diagnostics of neuroborreliosis in children. New antigens seem to improve diagnostic performance when compared with the routine flagella antigen. If different antigens are combined in a panel to cover the antigenic diversity, sensitivity improves further and a specificity of 100% can be achieve.
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