VREDNOTENJE CITOKINOV IN KEMOKINOV V PATOGENEZI LAJMSKE NEVORBORELIOZE (Slovene)

The aim of the present study was to determine cytokine and chemokine concentrations in sera and CSF of adult patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis and to compare the established concentrations with those of patients with possible Lyme neuroborreliosis, tickborne encephalites, neurological patients and blood donnors. Flow cytometry and enzyme immunoassay were found to be appropriate for determination of cytokines and chemokines in sera and CSF of the patients. We gained significant data concerning immune response and contribute to enlightment of the pathogenesis of the disease. Chemokine CXCL 13 was shown to be the most relevant inflammatory factor, especially its concentration in the CSF of the patients. We believe that establishing concentrations of determination of CXCL 13 in the CSF of the patients would contribute to laboratory diagnosis of early lyme neuroborreliosis. Concentrations of CXCL 13 in the CSF could be used as an early marker for differentiation of possible and confirmed Lyme neuroborreliosis, since concentration of the chemokine are significantly lower in the CSF of the patients with possible Lyme neuroborreliosis. We conclude that laboratory diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis would benefit from the methods used for conformation of intrathecal synthesis of specific borrelial antibodies combined with methods used for determination of CXCL13 concentration in the CSF of the patients.

Our project represents important international research that contributed significant data concerning immune response in sera and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with distinct clinical manifestation of Lyme borreliosis and also enlightened pathogenesis of the disease. Results will also contribute to earlier and more exact diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis together with accurate and adequate treatment.