title: Analysis of main T-cell subsets and activated T supressor/cytotoxic cells in patients with Borrelia burgdorferi s. lato only infection and co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study was designed to assess the role of some important immunologic factors with regards to both laboratory results and clinical symptoms in patients with confirmed Lyme disease. Additional examinations were carried out for co-infections with a number of tick-borne pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 54 patients with Lyme disease and a group of 21 healthy controls. Serology of co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti was carrieed out in all patients. Blood samples were stained using the whole-blood lysis method and analyzed concurrently on a flow cytometer FACSCalibur. Directly conjugated anti-human monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD56, HLA-DR and CD69 were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were observed with respect to thepretreatment level of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. In patients with symptoms relief and symptoms persistence, lower percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ cells were found, but with no statistical dependence. In the study group, both in patients with and without co-infections, pretreatment values of CD16+CD56+ cells did not differ significantly. In patients who did not respond to the treatment, the baseline percentage of NK cells was higher (P<0.01) than in group with clinical improvement, and lower after the treatment, whereas in patients with symptoms relief after the treatment there was an increase in the percentage of NK cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Co-infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Babesia microti had no impact on T-cell percentages in Lyme disease patients. There was a lower baseline percentage of NK cells in patients not responding to antibiotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomasiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology and Environmental Hazards, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chmielewska-Badora
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology and Environmental Hazards, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwolinski
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murias-Brylowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000502:physiology; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000502:physiology; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D001473:Bartonella / Q000502:physiology; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000502:physiology*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D055815:Young Adult