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Teresa Hermanowska-Szpakowicz

Publications and source records attributed to Teresa Hermanowska-Szpakowicz.

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

[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

[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

[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↗
PubMed2005

[Vitamin A, E and C serum concentration in patients with Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies--non-symptomatic carriers].

To estimate vitamin A, E and C serum concentrations among forestry workers showing antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi presence. Vitamins A, E and C concentrations were evaluated in 117 sera of forestry workers. 78 persons aged 18-63 (x=43.07) showed antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi presence. In this group 13 persons showed presence of IgM, 42 persons with IgG and 23 with IgM and IgG. Control group consisted of 39 persons aged 18-56 years (x=40,97), with no detectable anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in serum. Serologic diagnosis was performed with use of ELISA kit - Borrelia recombinant IgM, IgG (Biomedica, Austria). Vitamins A and E serum concentrations were detected by RP-HPLC method with spectrophotometric detection (De Leenheet and co.). Vitamin C was detected by RP-HPLS method with spectrophotometric method (Ivanovic and co). Obtains results were statistically analysed. Significantly lower of vitamin A and E serum concentration of persons with anti-borrelia antibodies presence. The lowest concentration was observed in group showing presence of IgM and IgG. No significant difference in vitamin C serum concentration in examined groups was observed. These results may suggest that low serum concentrations of vitamin A and E may have influence on Borrelia burgdorferi infection development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Effect of rhIL-15 on TLR2 expression and apoptosis of PMN from patients with Lyme disease].

In this study we estimated the expression of TLR2 and apoptosis of PMN in patients with Lyme disease. The cells were isolated from heparinized whole blood by Gradisol G gradient and incubated 18 h with rhIL-15 and LPS. Expression of TLR2 was estimated in lysates of PMN by western blot, apoptosis of PMN by immunofluorescent analysis. The results obtained revealed the higher expression of TLR2 in PMN and higher percentage of apoptosis PMN in patients with Lyme disease compared with control. We observed an effect of rhIL-15 on the increased expression of TLR2 in PMN and the increased survival of PMN isolated from patients with Lyme disease. These findings suggest that IL-15 has the ability to modulate of neutrophil response against Borrelia burgdorferi.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Serum and cerebrospinal concentrations of sICAM-1 sICAM-2, sICAM-3 in neuroborrellosis and tick borne encephalitis--preliminary report].

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the concentrations of the soluble forms of ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3 in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with neuroborreliosis and thick borne encephalitis before and after therapy in comparison with the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 30 patients, 10 in each group: neuroborreliosis-group I (NB), tick borne encephalitis--group II (TBE) and in the control group (group K). The diagnosis of neuroborreliosis and TBE based on the clinical features was confirmed by ELISA assays: FSME Virus/TBE Virus test (VIRION, Germany) for TBE and Borrelia IgM and IgG Recombinant (Biomedica Austria) for NB. The assays of sICAM-1, sICAM-2, sICAM-3 (ELISA, Bender Med System, USA) were performed twice in group I and II: before and after 3-4 weeks long treatment and once in control group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Increased concentration of soluble forms of ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3 in CSF suggest their important role in inflammatory process of viral and bacterial origin. In NB group, the serum concentrations of sICAM-1, sICAM-2 were significantly increased before and after treatment in comparison with control as well as with the analogous test results in TBE group. It may suggest NB as the part of systemic inflammation. The CSF concentration of sICAM-2 decreases after treatment in NB group in comparison with the analogous test results of TBE group. The increased CSF concentration of sICAM-2 in TBE group when compared to the CSF concentration in NB group suggest slow recovery and still persisting immunological activation in this group, even when the neurological symptoms disappeared. Increased concentrations in CSF in both diseases indicate intrameningeal activity of lymphocytes and may be a useful marker of inflammation.

Adult↗