Biomedical subjects

M Kondrusik

Publications and source records attributed to M Kondrusik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Concentration of interferon-inducible T cell chemoattractant and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Lyme borreliosis.

PURPOSE: Chronic inflammation in Lyme borreliosis may be sustained by aberrant inflammatory response, characterized by Th1 lymphocyte predominance, which in turn may be determined by chemokines synthesized in inflammatory focus. The aim of the study was to evaluate synthesis of chemokines: interferon-induced T cell chemoattractant (I-TAC--chemoattractant for Th1 lymphocytes), and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) in Lyme borreliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study group consisted of 13 patients with erythema migrans, 10 with Lyme arthritis and 6 with neuroborreliosis. Serum, as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in neuroborreliosis, was obtained before (examination 1) and during (examination 2) antibiotic treatment. Control serum was obtained from 8 healthy volunteers and control csf from 8 patients in whom meningitis and neuroborreliosis was excluded after diagnostic lumbar puncture. The samples were assayed for MCP-1 and I-TAC by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum mean I-TAC concentration in examination 1 was 73.0 pg/ml in erythema migrans, 78.9 pg/ml in Lyme arthritis and 87.3 pg/ml in neuroborreliosis (29.9 pg/ml in controls, difference significant for neuroborreliosis) and did not change significantly in examination 2. MCP-1 serum concentration was significantly increased to 497.5 pg/ml in neuroborreliosis in examination 2. I-TAC concentration in csf remained low, while MCP-1 concentration in examination 1 was increased to 589.1 pg/ml, significantly higher than simultaneously in serum. CONCLUSIONS: I-TAC synthesis is increased in Lyme borreliosis and may be a factor favoring predominance of Th1 lymphocyte subset. MCP-1 creates chemotactic gradient towards central nervous system and may contribute to csf pleocytosis in neuroborreliosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Concentrations of macrophage inflammatory proteins MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta and interleukin 8 (il-8) in lyme borreliosis.

BACKGROUND: Components of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( B. burgdorferi s.l.) do not have chemotactic activity. However, B. burgdorferi s.l. causes a chemotactic response, probably by stimulating synthesis of cytokines of the chemokine family by host cells. Our aim was to confirm that the synthesis of chemokines is increased in Lyme borreliosis and that they may account for leukocyte migration, thus being involved in inflammatory response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured concentrations of chemokines: interleukin 8 (Il-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha and 1beta (MIP-1alpha, -1beta) in serum of 20 patients with erythema migrans (early localized infection, group I), of 19 patients with Lyme arthritis (chronic infection, group II), and in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 20 patients with neuroborreliosis (early disseminated infection, group III), before and after 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy (examinations 1 and 2), as well as in the sera of 12 healthy blood donors and CSF of ten patients in whom Lyme borreliosis and meningitis were excluded (control group). Interleukin 1beta (Il-1beta) level in serum and CSF and pleocytosis of CSF were assessed simultaneously. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of all studied chemokines in serum were significantly elevated in all study groups in examination 1 and decreased in examination 2. The concentration of Il-8 in serum was higher in group I and the concentration of MIP-1alpha in group III was higher in comparison with group II. Serum concentrations of all chemokines in group I and III correlated with the concentration of Il-1beta, while in group II this correlation appeared only for Il-8 in examination 2. Concentrations of all chemokines in CSF were significantly increased, but as for MIP-1alpha and 1beta they remained lower than in serum. The concentration of Il-8 in CSF was variable and reached values several fold higher than in the serum in some patients. There was no correlation between chemokine concentrations and CSF pleocytosis. CONCLUSION: The synthesis of chemokines (Il-8, MIP-1alpha and 1beta) is increased in Lyme borreliosis and, at least in the early stages of the disease, is related to the synthesis of Il-1beta. Chemokine concentrations depend on the clinical form of Lyme borreliosis, with a tendency for higher values in early infection (erythema migrans and neuroborreliosis). Of the chemokines studied, Il-8 created a chemotactic gradient towards the inflammation site, and thus might be responsible for leukocyte migration.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

First cases of acute human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Poland.

The first three cases of acute human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Poland are described. Blood samples were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence method to detect specific serum antibodies, and the polymerase chain reaction was used to detect ehrlichial DNA. Additionally, peripheral blood smears were examined for the presence of morulae. According to criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all three cases can be classified as confirmed granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Using the criteria recommended by a consensus group, however, two cases can be classified as confirmed granulocytic ehrlichiosis and one case as probable granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

[Chemokines in meningitis of different etiologies].

Chemokines constitute a group of cytokines with strong chemotactic activity towards different populations of leukocytes, playing significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses. The chemokines of the alpha subfamily act mainly on neutrophiles, while beta subfamily chemokines attract primarily monocytes and lymphocytes. Research conducted within the last few years suggests chemokines to be the main factors responsible for the attraction of leukocytes to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the course of both bacterial and viral meningitis. In cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningitis of different etiologies significant concentrations of both alpha and beta chemokines were observed, which tended to decrease after the introduction of the treatment, with the relationship to the clinical improvement. It was also confirmed in in vitro experiments that the chemotactic properties of the inflammatory CSF mainly depend on the presence of chemokines. The most important chemokines in the pathophysiology of the meningitis in humans are probably interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) and INF-gamma inducible protein (IP-10). They seem to be responsible for the attraction to the cns of, respectively, neutrophiles, monocytes and activated T lymphocytes. Differences between the chemokine profiles observed in meningitides of different etiologies are to some degree relevant to coexisting differences in type and extent of pleocytosis. In future, measurements of concentrations of certain chemokines may become of some importance in diagnostics of meningitis and monitoring its clinical course.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Incidence of antibody detection against Toxocara canis and clinical symptoms in inhabitants of North-Eastern Poland].

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the the level of exposition of humans on Toxocara eggs in North Eastern Poland on a base of serological tests and epidemiological and clinical data. 1025 inhabitants of North Eastern region of Poland were examine to detect antibodies against Toxocara antigens. 214 (20.7%) showed presence of antibodies against Toxocara. They were mostly males (71%) and country inhabitants (58.9%). No abnormalities in laboratory tests were found among these people. Some of them had complaints like joint pains (19.6%), temporary skin rash 2.3%).

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1-beta in serum of patients with tick-borne encephalitis].

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the changes of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha serum concentrations among patients with TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) of mild and severe clinical course. The detection of cytokines was performed by immunometric assay twice before and after treatment. There was no significant changes in IL-1 beta serum concentration after treatment in both groups of patients. But concentration of TNF-alpha decreased significantly after treatment in both groups of patients. It seems that changes of TNF-alpha concentration might be helpful in evaluation of efficacy of aseptic central nervous system treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans in the course of old Lyme disease].

Lyme borreliosis is chronic spirochetal infection with phasic course. Lyme disease can be recognised as early or late stage of disease. A case report of patient with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans in the course of chronic (late) Lyme borreliosis is presented. As it is described, the lack of uncognition of infection of B. burgdorferi and typical signs of erythema migrans as well as a lack of proper therapy in this time may be a reason of passing into chronic phase of the disease like ACA and Lyme arthritis.

Acrodermatitis↗

PubMed2001

[Epidemiologic aspect of lyme borreliosis among the inhabitants of Podlasie Province].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate Lyme borreliosis morbidity among the inhabitants of Podlasie Province in the years of 1996-2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The new cases of Lyme borreliosis reported in the years of 1996-2000 in Podlasie Province were analyzed. The analysis included the data from Mz-56 and Mz-57 forms and the information from epidemiologic investigations sent to Regional Sanitary and Epidemiologic Station in Bialystok. In 1996-2000, screening examinations were carried out in the same group of 358 forestry workers including 44 (12.29%) females and 314 (87.71%) males aged from 21 to 64 (x = 41.2) years. Immunoenzymatic test of ELISA Borrelia recombinant IgM and IgG by Biomedica firm (Austria) were used to detect B. burgdorferi antibodies. RESULTS: In 1996-2000, 4933 of borreliosis cases were registered in Poland including 1377 (27.91%) in Podlasie Province. The morbidity rate in Podlasie province ranged from 15.05% in 1996 year to 21.29% in 2000 year of the whole country morbidity. At the same time, the incidence rate in Podlasie Province ranged from 9.09 in 1996 to 32.2 in 2000 year and was 6.72-fold higher than the incidence rate in the whole country. In Eastern and Central region of the province, 80.54% of cases were registered whereas, 14.09% by the Lakeside of Augustów and Suwalki only 5.37% in the western region of the province. It was proved that the morbidity increased in proportion to the age of patients (41.39% of patients were at the age of 30-49) and it decreased only above the age of 60. Thus, Lyme borreliosis affects mainly people at working age. The increase in B. burgdorferi antibody detectability was noticed in the population of forestry workers; it was detected in 38.55% in 1995 and in 2000 in 43.56% of the examined. Interestingly, 81 people infected with B.b in 1995-2000 included 74 men and only 7 women, supporting the statement that B.b infection affects mainly working professionals and the risk increases with the practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies indicate that Lyme borreliosis is a serious health problem among the inhabitants of Podlasie Province which is an endemic area for Ixodes ricinus ticks infected with B. burgdorferi spirochete.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Actual diagnostic possibilities of Lyme borreliosis].

Recognising of Lyme disease is based on epidemiology investigation, clinical manifestation of disease and results of diagnostic laboratory tests. Direct methods as isolation and culturing of Borrelia burgdorferi are very difficult and expensive. Depends on clinical stage PCR could be very useful but not often used. The other methods are based on detection of specific antispirochaetal antibodies produced in compartments or detection of antigens B. burgdorferi.

Antibody Specificity↗

PubMed2000

[Poisoning with botulinum neurotoxin--diagnostic difficulties].

Intoxication with botulinum neurotoxin, which occurs frequently in Poland, may cause serious diagnostic difficulties. As no assays for laboratory detection of botulinum toxin are available and the biological test on mice requires time before results are obtained, diagnosis must be based on clinical findings and patient's epidemiological history. Quick diagnosis and early administration of therapy with equine antitoxin is essential for patient's recovery. The effectiveness of antitoxin therapy is considered to be significantly reduced if the treatment is not started shortly after the onset of the disease. We describe a case of a patient in whom, because of diagnostic difficulties, antitoxin therapy was introduced with much delay. However, it proved highly efficient and lead to gradual recovery.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Selected aspects of immunopathogenesis in Lyme disease].

Abilities of B. burgdorferi to infect and induce illness is connected with immunopathogenic factors as: immunomodulatory elements of tick saliva abilities of B. burgdorferi to move in extracellular matrix, connecting and activation of proteolitic zymogen, inducing endothelium to production of adhesive molecules, chemokines and acute phase proteins. Important elements in pathogenesis and course of Lyme disease are organ tropism, producing by lymphocytes T proinflammatory cytokines (Th1 and Th2 profile), phagocytic abilities of infected organisms. In pathogenesis of chronic and recurrent cases difficult to treat is essential is survive of metabolic inactive bacteria, antigens B. burgdorferi as form "blebs", cystic L-form or insoluble complexes antigen-antibody or possibility of intracellular survive of B. burgdorferi. Tissue and organs damage is caused not only directly by B. burgdorferi antigens. Undoubtedly in the late stages there are immunologic disregulation and molecular mimicry. In some cases important are concommitant other infections. All this factors and results of therapy have influence on prognosis of Lyme disease. Knowledge of pathogenesis of Lyme disease has an important meaning in interpretation of laboratory tests and estimation of clinical signs and choosing of treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Neurologic syndromes in Lyme disease].

Lyme borreliosis, multisystem disease, when involve neurologic system is named neuroborrelosis. Symptomatology of neuroborreliosis is rich and various. Difficulties in recognition are connected usually with long period from tick bite to late neurological signs. Any headache and psychiatric disorder in the course of Lyme disease could be an early manifestation of invasion of the CNS by the spirochaetes. Each part of neurologic system could be involved. The most common clinical picture of neuroborreliosis is meningitis with cranial or peripheral neuropathies connected with radiculalgia, less common are encephalitis and myelitis, neuropathies and polyneuropathies, encephalopathies. Encephalomyelitis is the most serious form of neuroborreliosis. From the pathophysiologic point of view all cranial and peripheral neuropathies are forms of mononeuritis multiplex. Vasculitis and autoimmunology processes are present. Encephalopathy is due to neuroimmunomodulators, like lymphokines and by toxico-metabolic effect could be connected with each form of systemic borreliosis. Spheroplast L-form of borrelia could be responsible for difficulties with their eradication. Diagnosis of neuroborreliosis is based on culturing of B. burgdorferi from CSF, detection of specific antispirochaetal antibodies produced in subarachnoid space, detection of activated lymphocytes, other antigens detection in CSF (also after dissociation of complexes) or borrelial DNA sequences.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Analysis of some peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in relation to Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in patients with Lyme disease.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in T (CD3), B(CD19) lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 subsets, activated CD3+ HLA-DR+ lymphocytes, lymphocytes with receptor for IL-2 (CD3+CD25), NK cells as well as the rate of CD4/CD8 in 30 patients with recognized Lyme disease, before and after antibiotic therapy. Patients were divided into the following groups: Group I n = 9--without detected specific antibodies against B. burgdorferi and with clinical recognition of EM(erythema migrans). Group II n = 10--with increased IgM production, with a clinical form of Lyme arthritis and neuroborreliosis. Group III n = 11--with increased IgG anti B. burgdorferi production, with clinical recognition of Lyme arthritis. The results were compared with the results obtained in the control group consisting of 90 healthy people. The measurements were performed in the flow cytometer COULTER EPI XL with Becton Dickinson antibodies. The antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected by means of ELISA method using Dako, Biomedica and Biocom kits. The statistic analysis was performed with AnStat Program. The changes in lymphocyte subsets were characterised by the decrease in the percentage of CD4, CD8, NK and CD3+HLA-DR+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood before treatment with later tendency to increase. The results show that the lag phase of antibodies production coincides with high activity of lymphocytes (group I). The significant level of antibodies in IgM class induced by the collaboration of T and B cells was found in the group II. In the group III, in which antibodies in IgG class predominated, the changes in lymphocyte subsets were less intensive. The results of our investigations indicate that the immune response in Lyme disease develops mainly with the participation of both cellular and humoral response which is involved in both the defense against and the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Hydatoid cysts of liver--diagnostic and therapeutic problem].

In the Department of General Surgery of Medical University 11 patients with hydatid cysts of liver were operated. Ultrasonography and computer tomography allowed to define exact localization, size and contents of the cysts, what made possible planning of operating procedure. In 2 cases nonanatomic resection of liver parenchyma was performed, in 2 ones with coexisting stomach neoplasm just excision of the frontal wall of the cyst and emptying of the interior. In all the other cases the cysts were removed with surrounding liver tissue. Late results of surgical treatment with albendazol therapy are good. Diagnosis of echinococcic desease should be precised, considering with possibility of co-existing foci in other organs.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Lyme disease vaccine: hopes and concerns].

The vaccine against Lyme disease for last decade became an important issue for many researchers. Recently two groups of scientists published data of their trials carried out on humans. The vaccine which was given to volunteers consisted of recombinant outer surface protein (Osp)A. These people were observed for two years when approximately 79% of them developed resistance to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. These data were evaluated by FDA experts who recommended vaccine for approval. Main concerns of experts are: short duration of observation of vaccinated people, no possibility to vaccinate children, problematic vaccination people with undiagnosed Lyme disease. However the moment when effective and safe vaccine against Lyme disease will be available seems to approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis].

In this paper basic issues concerning epidemiology of Lyme disease were presented. The role of ticks and small mammals was emphasised. An increasing prevalence of Lyme disease especially among people working in forests was pointed out.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

[Prevention of Lyme disease].

Over the last decade many researchers have turned much attention to the vaccine against Lyme disease as the only effective preventive method. Recently two groups of researchers have published data on their trials carried out on humans. The vaccine given to volunteers consisted of recombinant outer surface protein (Osp)A. A two-year observation of the persons studies revealed that 79% of them had developed resistance to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. These data were evaluated by the FDA experts who recommended the vaccine for general use with the following reservations that have to be elucidated: too short observation of vaccinated persons, no possibility to vaccinate children and the problem of vaccinating people with undiagnosed Lyme disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[Levels of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and receptor IL-6R in Lyme borreliosis].

We estimated serum concentrations of cytokines IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alfa and IL-6R of patients with diagnosed Lyme disease treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. Detection of proinflammatory cytokines was performed in ELISA tests. The examination was performed before and after treatment. Comparison with control group stated statistically significant higher concentration of IL-1 and IL-6 before and after treatment. There were no differences in concentration of TNF-alfa, IL-8 and IL-6R. Comparing concentrations of cytokines before and after treatment there was no differences either. Lack of changes in concentration of proinflammatory cytokines during beta-lactam therapy could be explained by too short period of therapy or immunologic background of inflammatory process in Lyme disease which was only initiated by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.

Adult↗