Projects / Programmes
Bolezni in povzročitelji, ki jih v Sloveniji prenašajo členonožci (Slovene)
July 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B510 |
Biomedical sciences |
Infections |
Researchers (25)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
Ad 1. The efficacy of the antibiotics assessed for treatment of erythema migrans was comparable, but pronounce distinctions in costs of treatment was found. We expect that the acquired data will enable more rational choice of antibiotics for the treatment of erythema migrans. Ad 2. Obtaining data not available in the literature. Data on persistence of borreliae in skin after treatment with antibiotics will enable rational choice of drugs for treatment of erythema migrans. Such findings may influence treatment approaches not only in patients with erythema migrans but also in patients with other manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Ad 3. Completion of very limited information. If the clinical course and outcome of early Lyme borreliosis is found more severe or less favorable in immunocompromised than in immunocompetent hosts further studies with more aggressive treatment or longer therapy with antibiotics might be warranted for immunocompromised patients. However, our findings in patients with solid organ transplants indicate that treatment of early Lyme borreliosis may be the same as for non-immunocompromised patients. Ad 4. Completion of very rare data. If our research will confirm that there really exist differences between age groups, this will enable a more reasonable interpretation of the differences reported for groups of patients with erythema migrans, including a greater or smaller number of pediatric (or elderly) patients; in addition, such differences will give rise to new questions about the importance of immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the disease. Ad 5. Obtaining data not available in the literature. Data will enable an insight into the pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis. Ad 6. A comparative study on intrathecal production of borrelial antibodies and isolation of borrelia from the CSF will enable an insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and will have practical consequences for diagnostics of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Our initial findings indicate that intrathecal borrelial antibody production is more effective with B. garinii than with B. afzelii infection. Ad 7. Completion of limited information with potential consequences for the management of patients with suspected chronic Lyme borreliosis. Ad 8. Data on the frequency and mode of hearth involvement in the corse of early Lyme borreliosis was obtained. Ad 9. Obtaining data not available in the literature. Acquired information will permit an insight into the pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis and will have highly valuable consequences for the management of patients with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Ad 10. Obtaining data not available in the literature. If the occurence of clinically evident reinfections with B. burgdorferi sensu lato will be relatively high, difficulties with the efficacy of Lyme borreliosis vaccine can be anticipated. If clinical features of reinfection will be more pronounced than those of primary infection, persons vaccineted against Lyme borreliosis may develop (in case of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l.) more severe clinical signs of the disease than those who were unvaccinated. Ad 11. Provision of an insight into the cases of coinfection due to different tick-transmitted pathogens. If the results will demonstrate that leukopenia and thrombocytopenia observed in patients with erythema migrans reflect concomitant infection with ehrlichia (anaplasma), the treatment approach used in the management of erythema migrans will have to be changed, i.e. will have to be limited to the use of doxycycline. Ad 12. Insight into pathogenesis of transmission of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum, tick-borne encephalitis virus and babesiae as well as the relationship between the infection and disease. The obtained data are of potential importance for the rational approach to the prevention of tick-transmitted diseases and for the selection of target population groups for vaccination against Lyme borrelio
Significance for the country
All studies of the research programme (1.-12.) are of indirect importance for the society due to the promotion of the country through new knowledge. Studies with a potential of pronounced direct influence on health care and/or management of patients are listed herein: Ad 1. The obtained data will enable rational choice of antibiotics for treatment of erythema migrans and rational decisions on duration of the treatment. Ad 2. Data on persistence of borreliae in skin after treatment with antibiotics will enable rational choice of drugs for treatment of erythema migrans. In case that persistence is demonstrated in skin one can presume that it will occur also in other tissues, especially in those to which antibiotics have rather limited access (for example central nervous system). Such finding may influence treatment approaches not only in patients with erythema migrans but also in patients with other manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Ad 5. Additional assessment of diagnostic value of serological testing of central nervous system infections with different Borrelia species will most probably be needed. Ad 7. and 9. The assessment of the efficacy of the two treatment approaches will enable rational antibiotic choice. Because no differences were found, future treatment of patients with suspected chronic Lyme borreliosis will consist of doxycycline, which is much less expensive drug in comparison to ceftriaxone. Similar approach will be used also for patients with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Ad 11. If the results will demonstrate that leukopenia and thrombocytopenia observed in patients with erythema migrans reflect concomitant infection with ehrlichia (anaplasma), the treatment approach used in the management of erythema migrans will have to be changed, i.e. will have to be limited to the use of doxycycline. Ad 12. The obtained data will be of potential importance for the rational approach to the prevention of tick-transmitted diseases and for the selection of target population groups for vaccination against Lyme borreliosis in the future.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
