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Biomedical subjects

Joanna Zajkowska

Publications and source records attributed to Joanna Zajkowska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases in the serum of patients with chronic Lyme arthritis.

To examine the role of lysosomal exoglycosidases in the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis we studied a group of 18 patients aged 18-72 (mean: 46 yr) diagnosed with chronic arthritis in the course of borreliosis. The control group was composed of 20 healthy volunteers (health service employees) aged 25-65 (mean: 45 yr) with no detectable serum anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies. We found that N-acetyl-beta-d-hexosaminidase (HEX) was significantly increased and beta-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase also showed an increase in Lyme arthritis patients compared to healthy persons and normalised after treatment with doxycycline. Our results suggest that HEX is a sensitive enzymatic marker of Lyme arthritis and it may be used to monitor the course of the disease and the efficiency of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Evaluation of soluble platelet cell adhesion molecule sPECAM-1 and chemokine MCP-1 (CCL2) concentration in CSF of patients with tick-borne encephalitis].

UNLABELLED: Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is a glycoprotein involved in the transendothelial migration of leukocytes and MCP-1 is a proinflammatory protein, member of the 1 subfamily of chemokines, acting as activator of specific leukocytes. The expression of PECAM-1 and MCP-1 was studied in various pathological processes, but very little is known about the significance of these molecules during inflammatory reaction in viral diseases of the nervous system, including tick-borne encephalitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained from 17 patients with TBE, treated at the Department of Infection Diseases in Białystok. The level of sPECAM-1 and MCP-1 was evaluated by the ELISA method. The control group consisted of 18 patients in which the battery of tests, including CSF study, has excluded the organic character of the neurological syndrome. The U- Mann-Whitney test was applied to establish the statistical significance of the results. RESULTS: The concentration of sPECAM-l and MCP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid of TBE patients was significantly increased in comparison with the. control group. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated concentration of sPECAM-1 and MCP-1 may be a result of increased release from endothelical cells, activated T-cells, platelets and monocytes. Increased expression of sPECAM-1 is the significant but unspecific event in immunological processes in inflammatory reaction in TBE. The increased concentration of MCP-1 seems to be an essential event in the pathomechanism of inflammation in the central nervous system in TBE. It would be valuable in clinical conditions to search for the methods of inhibition of the increased expression of sPECAM-1 and MCP-1 in TBE to diminish the inflammatory reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Concentrations of soluble factors participating in regulation of apoptosis of lymphocyte from patients with chronic lyme arthritis (preliminary report)].

UNLABELLED: Lyme borreliosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete. The excess and inadequate inflammatory response and even autoimmunity is considered to participate in its pathogenesis. Apoptosis (programmed cell death) of activated lymphocytes contributes to regulation of immunological response and terminating the inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate concentrations of soluble factors participating in regulation of apoptosis in the supernatants of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with chronic Lyme borreliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 10 patients with chronic Lyme arthritis and the control group of 5 persons in whom Lyme borreliosis was excluded. In the supernatant of PBMC culture incubated with Borrelia burgdorferi antigens concentrations of potentially anti-apoptotic factors: soluble receptor for tumor necrosis factor alpha (sTNF-RI), soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), as well as the concentration of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), cytokine synthesized in the final stage of apoptosis, were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Concentrations of sTNF-RI, sFas and sFasL, but also TGF-beta tended to be increased in the study group in comparison with nonstimulated PBMC and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These data, although they should be considered preliminary because of the small size of the groups, suggest possible impairment of the apoptosis of lymphocytes in the chronic Lyme borreliosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Infections caused by West Nile virus].

West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus related to tick-borne encephalitis virus endemic in northeast of Poland. WNV circulates among wild birds, transmitted by wide range of haematophagous arthropods. Several mosquito species, especially Culex spp., can transmit WNV to humans. WNV is responsible for a broad range of clinical symptoms, from asymptomatic infection to severe encephalitis and polio-like myelitis. Elderly persons are at especially high risk of death and severe neurological complications, with mortality among patients over 65 years old with WNV-related encephalitis being as high as 35%. Warm and humid climate favors the spread of WNV, however, it can also be effectively transmitted in moderate climate zones. During the last decade a worldwide spread of WNV was observed, with establishment of new enzootic foci and growing number of human cases. WNV seems to be already present in several European countries, including Poland. We describe detection of anti-WNV IgM antibodies in serum of patient with acute febrile infection, which may constitute the first case of confirmed WNV infection in Poland.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Severe course of tick-borne encephalitis (Encephalomeningomyelitis): a case report].

A 19-year-old male student was admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections with suspected encephalomeningitis. Three weeks before admission the patient was bitten by a tick. The first symptoms were manifested by mild consciousness disorders, headache, vomiting, and fever with the presence of meningeal syndrome. In the course of the disease, the signs of focal lesions in the central nervous system developed: horizontal nystagmus, bilateral ptosis, paresis of cranial nerves: peripheral damage to nerve VII on the right and nerve XI, weakness of proximal muscles of upper and lower extremities. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with the presence of antibodies against TBE virus. CT and MRI scans did not show any pathology. The applied treatment reduced neurological abnormalities. In the course of the disease, generalized convulsions were twice observed. On the day of discharge, slight nystagmus, bilateral ptosis with normal movement of eyeballs, slight peripheral paresis of nerve VII on the right and nerve XI, massive paresis of the shoulder girdle muscles as a result of their atrophy were found. Mental status was normal. Residual signs of peripheral paresis of peripheral nerve VII, slight nystagmus as well as paresis and atrophy of the shoulder girdle muscles are still present.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Ultrasonography in diagnosing Lyme arthritis of the knee joints in correlation with anti-CCP antibodies].

Lyme disease, a multi-system disorder may be associated with arthritis. Lyme arthritis most commonly affects the knee joints. Ultrasonography can show the inflammation changes of the knee joint and can be a usefull method in diagnosis of Lyme arthritis. The most freguent ultrasonographic finding was knee joint effusion. Because of Lyme arthritis similarities to rheumatoid arthritis, a serologic test antibodies against cyclic cytrulinated peptid (anty CCP) can be helpfull in distinguishing of these two diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Complications of tick-borne encephalitis in 15-year long experience of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections].

The clinical features of tick-borne encephalitis (tbe) were analyzed in the group of 477 patients hospitalized in the Department of the Infectious Disease and Neuroinfections of the Medical Academy in Białystok. The group included 31.4% women and 68.6% men, aged from 15 to 76 years. Persistent neurological sequelae were noted in 10.9% of patients: paresis or plegia in 5.66%, spinal dysfunction with lower limbs paraparesis in 1.68%, significant paresis of upper extremities in 0.63%, brachial plexus paresis in 2.31%. Cranial nerves involvement was present in 2.93%, including uni- or bilateral facial nerve palsy in 2.73% and trigeminal nerve involvement in 0.21%. Cerebellar dysfunction was present in 2,09% of patients. No fatal cases of tbe occured.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Assessment of antioxidative defense parameters in serum and age of patients showing antibodies anti-Borrelia burgdorferi presence--non-symptomatic carriers].

To evaluate in serum antioxidative deffence parameters--SOD EC.1.15.1.1 (superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px EC.1.15.1.1 (glutathine peroxidase), -SH (sulphhydryl groups) among patients previously diagnosed with borreliosis presently showing antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi presence. The antioxidative deffence parameters were evaluated in 117 sera of patients with previously diagnosed borreliosis aged x = 43,07. Control group consisted of 39 persons aged x = 40,97 with no detectable anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in serum. Serologic diagnosis was performed with use of ELISA kit--Borrelia rekombinat IgM, IgG (Biomedica, Austria). Serum activity of antioxidative deffence parameters-- SOD EC.1.15.1.1 (superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px EC.1.15.1.1 (glutathine peroxidase), -SH (sulphhydryl groups) were detected in all patients from both groups. Obtained results were statistically analysed. There was showed no significant difference in serum activity of SOD and GSH-Px in group of former borreliosis patients and control group. Also serum -SH concentration did not differ significantly between both examined groups of patients. No correlation between SOD and GSH-Px serum activity as well as -SH concentration was detected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Intercellular adhesion molecules sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 and IFNgamma in neuroborreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum and CSF concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecules sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 and proinflammatory cytokine IFNgamma in patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and neuroborreliosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of 40: 20 with TBE meningitis and 20 with Lyme meningitis. The serum and CSF levels of adhesion molecules and IFNgamma were determined by ELISA assay twice: before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment the concentrations of adhesion molecules and IFNgamma in serum as well as in CSF were significantly higher in both studied groups than in control group (with the exception of the serum level of sICAM-2 in TBE group). After the treatment, the serum parameters in TBE group decreased to the control level. CSF levels were also reduced, but still remained higher than in the control group. In patients with neuroborreliosis serum concentration of sICAM-1 and sICAM-2 did not change as compared with its level before treatment but other studied parameters in serum and CSF decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study confirm the participation of intercellular adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of viral (TBE) and bacterial (neuroborreliosis) neuroinfections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[New aspects of pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis].

B. burgdorferi can evade the destructive effects of the immune system by binding host's complement regulators, which leads to inhibition of the complement activation cascade. Complement activity is blocked by CRASPs--complement regulator acquiring surface proteins. Complement resistance might therefore represent one major pathogenic factor favoring spirochete transmission to the vertebrate host, as well as determine host reservoirs of Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies. The cause of neuro-psychiatric disorders developing in some patients with Lyme borreliosis is still unknown. One of the hypotheses links them to neuro-hormonal disturbances induced by B. burgdorferi infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Comparison of two types of diagnostic test detecting antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi: EIA based on one genospecies antigens and ELISA based on recombinant antigens].

The aim of the study was to compare the results of ELISA diagnostic kit detecting antibodies against B. burgdorferi based on combination of three genospecies recombinant and EIA kits based on one of three genospecies. Sera of 351 forest workers were evaluated with ELISA kit (Recombinant antigen, IgG). Seropositive samples were tested with EIA kits based on B. burgdorferi s.s., B. garinii, B. afzelii antigens. Diagnostic kits based on combination of antigens of three genospecies more often detect antibodies against B. burgdorferi and are more usefull as screening tests, in comparison with those based on one genospecies. Among diagnostic kits based on one genospecies, the most sesnitive in detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi are those based on B. afzelii.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed2006

[Western-blot with VLSE protein and "in vivo" antigens in Lyme borreliosis diagnosis].

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the efficiency of Western blot (EcoLine) test detecting simoultanous presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi in diagnosis of early and late stage of Lyme borreliosis. The comparison of results achieved by performing test Western-blot, ELISA (based on recombinant antigens of three genospecies of Borrelia) and EIA (based on antigens of one B. burgdorferi genospecies). The tests Western blot: EcoLine (Virotech) with antygens "in vivo", ELISA Borrelia IgM, IgG recombinant (Biomedica), EIA: B. b. ss. IgG, EIA B. garinii IgG, EIA B. afzelii IgG (TestLine) were used. Results showed efficacy of detecting IgM, IgG antibodies against VlsE simultanously and IgG antibodies against "in vivo" antigens in diagnosis of early stages of Lyme disease when atypical picture skin lessions arise diagnostic doubts and in discerning early and late stage of disease. The EIA tests based on one B. burgdoreferi genospecies seem less effective in comparison to ELISA tests based on 3 genospecies antigens.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2006

[Tick borne encephalitis and enviromental changes].

Currently observed markedly increased incidence of various tick borne diseases in many parts of Europe is due to documented climatic changes as well anthropogenic influence on habitat structure. One of the analyzed factors is tendency to increase of the spring temperatures, especially in the third decade of the April. Such conditions (spring temperatures above 7-10 degrees C) let the nymphs and larvae of Ixodes ricinus to feed simultaneously on rodents. This increases the risk of infection of Ixodes ricinus with TBE virus, so dangerous for humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Tropical malaria--danger for persons visiting endemic areas].

Malaria continues to be a wide-spread infection in tropical areas. According to World Health Organization, malaria is present in over 100 countries, populated by over 3 bln people. Malaria morbidity in these areas is difficult to estimate. Tropical malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more than 95% of fatal cases. Other Plasmodium species able to infect humans are P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae, typically responsible for more prolonged course of the disease, with possibility of late relapse, but rarely resulting in fatal outcome. We present a case of tropical malaria, illustrating wide spectrum of complications associated with P. falciparum infection, especially in cases of massive parasitemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Concentration of interleukin 6 and 10 in tick-borne and purulend encephalomeningitis].

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.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) in inflammatory process].

VAP-1 is an adhesion molecule expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. It plays an important role in the adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the sites of inflammation. The purpose of this article is to present current knowledge of structure, biological function of VAP-1 and its use in clinical practice.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗
PubMed2005

[Atypical forms of Borrelia burgdorferi--clinical consequences].

Borrelia burgdorferi utilizes a variety of mechanisms to counteract eradication by its host and establish chronic infection. We discuss several of these mechanisms, including plasmid encoded genes, morphologic variants, cysts formation, colonies formation, antigenic variation, and resistance to iron deprivation. These mechanisms, as well as the possible survival of Borrelia burgdorferi in forms with low metabolic activity, may explain relapsing Lyme disease, and may, also account for the difficulties with eradicating this pathogen.

Antigenic Variation↗