Circulating and Local Nuclear Expression of Survivin and Fibulin-3 Genes in Discriminating Benign From Malignant Respiratory Diseases: Correlation Analysis

Abstract Background: Survivin is a common member of the inhibitors of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family and promoter of cell proliferation. Fibulin-3 is a matrix glycoprotein with a potential for tumor suppression or propagation. The aim of this study was to validate the expression levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in benign and malignant respiratory diseases.Methods: This case-control study included 219 patients categorized into 5 groups. Group A included 63 patients with lung cancer, group B included 63 patients with various benign lung diseases, group D included 45 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and group E included 48 patients with various benign pleural diseases. Group C included 60 healthy individuals (control group). Serum survivin and fibulin-3 levels were measured using ELISA assay kits, while their nuclear expression in the lung and pleura was assessed using western blot analysis. Data entry and data analysis are done using SPSS version 19. The Medcalc Program was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values with calculation of the AUC (95% CI). Results: The overall results showed significantly higher survivin serum levels with significantly lower fibulin-3 levels among group A when compared with both patients in group B and the controls (p<0.001 for all). There were statistically significant higher serum levels of survivin and fibulin-3 among group D when compared with both patients in group E and the controls (p<0.001 for all). These findings were consistent with nuclear survivin and fibulin-3 expression levels. Fibulin-3 was more valid than survivin in discriminating lung cancer from MPM (p˂0.05). Conclusions: Survivin and fibulin-3 could be helpful diagnostic markers for lung and pleural cancers. Fibulin-3 was more specific in differentiating lung cancer from MPM.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04413292: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04413292, retrospectively registered.

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Circulating and local nuclear expression of survivin and fibulin-3 genes in discriminating benign from malignant respiratory diseases: correlation analysis

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20203097 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed H. Hassan ◽

Sawsan Abuhamdah ◽

Mohamed Abdel-Bary ◽

Mohammed Wahman ◽

Tarek Hamdy Abd-Elhamid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Pleural Diseases ◽

Cancer Group ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis as well as a promoter of cell proliferation. Fibulin-3 is a matrix glycoprotein that displays potential for tumor suppression or propagation. This study aimed to validate the expression levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in benign and malignant respiratory diseases. This case–control study included 219 patients categorized into five groups. Group A included 63 patients with lung cancer, group B included 63 patients with various benign lung diseases, group D included 45 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), and group E included 48 patients with various benign pleural diseases. Group C included 60 healthy individuals (control group). Serum survivin and fibulin-3 levels were measured by ELISA, whereas their nuclear expressions in the lung and pleura were assessed via Western blot analysis. The results showed significantly higher survivin serum levels and significantly lower fibulin-3 levels in group A compared with in group B and controls (p<0.001). There were significantly higher serum levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in group D compared with in group E and controls (p<0.001), consistent with observed nuclear survivin and fibulin-3 expression levels. Fibulin-3 was determined to have higher value than survivin in discriminating lung cancer from MPM (p˂0.05). Survivin and fibulin-3 could be useful diagnostic markers for lung and pleural cancers, and fibulin-3 expression was particularly useful in differentiating lung cancer from MPM. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04413292: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04413292, retrospectively registered.

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Significance of isolated increases in total lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in serum of patients with bacterial pneumonia.

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/34.7.1503 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 1503-1505 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Z Rotenberg ◽

I Weinberger ◽

E Davidson ◽

J Fuchs ◽

O Sperling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽

Recovery Time ◽

Bacterial Pneumonia ◽

Normal Limit ◽

Liver Function Tests ◽

Total Serum ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

Abstract Total lactate dehydrogenase (LD, EC 1.1.1.27) activity in serum and LD isoenzymes were quantified at the time of diagnosis in 320 patients with bacterial pneumonia. In eighty, LD activity was increased, but this was accompanied by either other pathological results for liver-function tests or associated diseases that could explain it. The remaining 240 patients were divided into four groups, based on their total serum LD values: group A, less than 225 U/L (normal limit); group B, 226-350 U/L; group C, 351-499 U/L; and group D, greater than 500 U/L. Total LD was above normal at diagnosis in 40% of the patients. Recovery time was twice as long in group D as in groups A, B, and C. In five patients from group D, the pneumonia reflected underlying lung cancer. In groups B and C, the LD-3 ratio was increased in comparison with group A; in group D, LD-4 and LD-5 were increased up to twice the normal limit. Evidently nearly half of patients with bacterial pneumonia may show isolated increases in total LD activity (mostly LD-3) in serum. In cases with high activity, prolonged recovery time is expected. Intensive follow-up and extensive investigation are warranted in these patients, because some may have underlying lung cancer.

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The Effects of Serum hs-CRP on the Incidence of Lung Cancer in Male Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Iranian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.18502/ijph.v48i7.2949 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Youhua JIANG ◽

Kewei NI ◽

Meiyu FANG ◽

Junling LIU

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Lung Cancer Patients ◽

Group A ◽

Male Patients ◽

Hs Crp ◽

Group B

Background: This study intended to investigate the effects of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on the incidence of lung cancer in male patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: A total of 1091 male patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China from Jan 2009 to Jan 2012 were selected as the research objects. All patients were followed up from the beginning of hospitalization. According to serum hs-CRP level, patients were divided into two groups: group A (hs-CRP < 1 mg/L) and group B (hs-CRP > 3 mg/L). The relationship between baseline hs-CRP and the risk of lung cancer in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was analyzed by multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model, and the serum levels of hs-CRP between lung cancer patients in all groups and other non-lung cancer patients were compared. Results: There were differences in age, drinking, smoking, diabetes history, body mass index (BMI), thyroglobulin (TG), history of hypertension and hyperglycemia among the three groups (P=0.036, 0.018, 0.040, 0.029, 0.006, 0.034, 0.020, 0.010). The serum levels of hs-CRP in patients with squamous carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma were significantly higher than those in non-lung cancer patients (P=0.022, 0.043, 0.011). The incidence rates of lung cancer in patients in group B and C were 1.37 and 1.69 times higher than that in group A, respectively. Conclusion: The increased serum level of hs-CRP will increase the incidence rate of lung cancer in male patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

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Survival of classic swine fever virus in hams made from the meat of pigs vaccinated with the PAV-250 strain and unvaccinated pigs

Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Pecuarias ◽

10.22319/rmcp.v10i3.4528 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 536-551

Author(s):

Heidi Amezcua Hempel ◽

María Salud Rubio Lozano ◽

Eliseo Manuel Hernández Baumgarten ◽

Pablo Correa Girón † ◽

Oscar Torres Ángeles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Strain ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Classical Swine Fever ◽

Fever Virus ◽

Direct Immunofluorescence ◽

Biometric Analysis ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

The study was to determine the presence of Classical Swine Fever virus (CSFv), in the meat of vaccinated pigs with the PAV-250 strain and then challenged using the same strain. Five treatment groups were established (each with four pigs). Group A: Pigs thatwere fed with processed hams from negative animals; Group B: Pigs that were fed with processed hams from commercial pigs inoculated with the ALD (reference strain) (titre of 104.0/ml); Group C: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs infected with the virulent ALD strain (titre of 102.5/ml); Group D: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs vaccinated with the PAV-250 strain and challenged with the ALD strain (titre of 101.1/ml); and Group E: Pigs fed with processed hams from pigs vaccinated with two doses of the PAV-250 strain and challenged with the ALD strain (negative). Blood samples were taken at d 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 for biometric analysis. Groups B, C and D manifested clinical signs of CSFv: 40 °C temperature, anorexia, paralysis, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, hirsute hair and cyanosis. Pigs were slaughtered and necropsies performed to identify lesions in tissues. Results of direct immunofluorescence testing of tissues were positive and the virus was recovered. Under these study conditions, it was found that CSFv resisted the cooking method at 68 °C for 40 min in hams from unvaccinated pigs, and that the virus was able to transmit the disease to healthy unvaccinated pigs, whereas the hams from the vaccinated animals did not transmit the virus.

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The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000517180 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Serdar Sahin ◽

Havva Sezer ◽

Ebru Cicek ◽

Yeliz Yagız Ozogul ◽

Murat Yildirim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Study Groups ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Care Providers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

Introduction: The aim of this was to describe the predictors of mortality related to COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: We included the patients >18 years of age, with at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patients were grouped according to body mass index values as normal weight <25 kg/m2 (Group A), overweight from 25 to <30 kg/m2 (Group B), Class I obesity 30 to <35 kg/m2 (Group C), and ≥35 kg/m2 (Group D). Mortality, clinical outcomes, laboratory parameters, and comorbidities were compared among 4 groups. Results: There was no significant difference among study groups in terms of mortality. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation requirement was higher in group B and D than group A, while it was higher in Group D than Group C (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.017], Group D vs. Group A [p = 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.016]). Lung involvement was less common in Group A, and presence of hypoxia was more common in Group D (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.025], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p = 0.006], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.014]). The hospitalization rate was lower in Group A than in the other groups; in addition, patients in Group D have the highest rate of hospitalization (Group B vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group C vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p < 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.010]). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with overweight and obesity presented with more severe clinical findings. Health-care providers should take into account that people living with overweight and obesity are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its complications.

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Survival Impact of Aggressive Treatment and PD-L1 Expression in Oligometastatic NSCLC

Current Oncology ◽

10.3390/curroncol28010059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 593-605

Author(s):

Camille Gauvin ◽

Vimal Krishnan ◽

Imane Kaci ◽

Danh Tran-Thanh ◽

Karine Bédard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Cell Death ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Programmed Cell Death ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Aggressive Treatment ◽

Palliative Approach ◽

Oligometastatic Disease ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Background: Studies have shown that aggressive treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with oligometastatic disease improves the overall survival (OS) compared to a palliative approach and some immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and T-Lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors are now part of the standard of care for advanced NSCLC. However, the prognostic impact of PD-L1 expression in the oligometastatic setting remains unknown. Methods: Patients with oligometastatic NSCLC were identified from the patient database of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). “Oligometastatic disease” definition chosen is one synchronous metastasis based on the M1b staging of the eight IASLC (The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer) Classification (within sixth months of diagnosis) or up to three cerebral metastasis based on the methodology of the previous major phase II randomized study of Gomez et al. We compared the OS between patients receiving aggressive treatment at both metastatic and primary sites (Group A) and patients receiving non-aggressive treatment (Group B). Subgroup analysis was performed using tumor PD-L1 expression. Results: Among 643 metastatic NSCLC patients, we identified 67 patients with oligometastasis (10%). Median follow-up was 13.3 months. Twenty-nine patients (43%) received radical treatment at metastatic and primary sites (Group A), and 38 patients (57%) received non-aggressive treatment (Group B). The median OS (mOS) of Group A was significantly longer than for Group B (26 months vs. 5 months, p = 0.0001). Median progression-free survival (mPFS) of Group A was superior than Group B (17.5 months vs. 3.4 months, p = 0.0001). This difference was still significant when controlled for primary tumor staging: stage I (p = 0.316), stage II (p = 0.024), and stage III (p = 0.001). In the cohort of patients who were not treated with PD-L1 inhibitors, PD-L1 expression negatively correlated with mOS. Conclusions: Aggressive treatments of oligometastatic NSCLC significantly improve mOS and mPFS compared to a more palliative approach. PD-L1 expression is a negative prognostic factor which suggests a possible role for immunotherapy in this setting.

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AB0422 LEFT VENTRICULAR ABNORMALITIES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS FOLLOWED BY SEQUENTIAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.1941 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1510.1-1511

Author(s):

T. Kuga ◽

M. Matsushita ◽

K. Tada ◽

K. Yamaji ◽

N. Tamura

Keyword(s):

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Systolic Dysfunction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Monocyte Count ◽

Lv Dysfunction ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Lv Diastolic Dysfunction ◽

Group D

Background:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is detected in up to 50% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients1and major cause of death2. Even clinically silent SLE patients can develop left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction3. Proper echocardiographic follow up of SLE patients is required.Objectives:To clarify how the prevalence of LV abnormalities changes over follow-up period and identify the associated clinical factors, useful in suspecting LV abnormalities.Methods:29 SLE patients (24 females and 5 men, mean age 52.8±16.3 years, mean disease duration 17.6±14.5 years) were enrolled. All of them underwent echocardiography as the baseline examination and reexamined over more than a year of follow-up period(mean 1075±480 days) from Jan 2014 to Sep 2019. Patients complicated with pulmonary artery hypertension, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and underwent cardiac surgery during the follow-up period were excluded. Left ventricular(LV) systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction (EF) < 50%. LV diastolic dysfunction was defined according to ASE/EACVI guideline4. LV dysfunction (LVD) includes one or both of LV systolic dysfunction and LV diastolic function. Monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR) was calculated by dividing monocyte count with HDL-C level.Prevalence of left ventricular abnormalities was analysed at baseline and follow-up examination. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were compared among patient groups as follows; patients with LV dysfunction (Group A) and without LV dysfunction (Group B) at the follow-up echocardiography, patients with LV asynergy at any point of examination (Group C) and patients free of LV abnormalities during the follow-up period (Group D).Results:At the baseline examination, LV dysfunction (5/29 cases, 13.8%), LV asynergy (6/29 cases, 21.7%) were detected. Pericarditis was detected in 7 patients (24.1%, LVD in 3 patients, LV asynergy in 2 patients) and 2 of them with subacute onset had progressive LV dysfunction, while 5 patients were normal in echocardiography after remission induction therapy for SLE. At the follow-up examination, LV dysfunction (9/29 cases, 31.0%, 5 new-onset and 1 improved case), LV asynergy (6/29 cases, 21.7%, 2 new-onset and 2 improved cases) were detected. Though any significant differences were observed between Group A and Group B at the baseline, platelet count (156.0 vs 207.0, p=0.049) were significantly lower in LV dysfunction group (Group A) at the follow-up examination. Group C patients had significantly higher uric acid (p=0.004), monocyte count (p=0.009), and MHR (p=0.003) than Group D(results in table).Conclusion:LV dysfunction is progressive in most of patients and requires regular follow-up once they developed. Uric acid, monocyte count and MHR are elevated in SLE patients with LV asynergy. Since MHR elevation was reported as useful marker of endothelial dysfunction5, our future goal is to analyse involvement of monocyte activation and endothelial dysfunction in LV asynergy of SLE patients.References:[1]Doria A et al. Lupus. 2005;14(9):683-6.[2]Manger K et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2002 Dec;61(12):1065-70.[3]Leone P et al. Clin Exp Med. 2019 Dec 17.[4]Nagueh SF et al. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2016 Apr;29(4):277-314.[5]Acikgoz N et al. Angiology. 2018 Jan;69(1):65-70.Numbers are median (interquartile range), Mann-Whitney u test were performed, p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared

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Prophylactic temporary abdominal aortic balloon occlusion for patients with pernicious placenta previa: a retrospective study

BMC Anesthesiology ◽

10.1186/s12871-021-01354-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fei Huo ◽

Hansheng Liang ◽

Yi Feng

Keyword(s):

Placenta Previa ◽

Balloon Occlusion ◽

Artery Embolism ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Group D ◽

Central Placenta Previa

Abstract Background Pernicious placenta previa (PPP) can increase the risk of perioperative complications. During caesarean section in patients with adherent placenta, intraoperative blood loss, hysterectomy rate and transfusion could be reduced by interventional methods. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of maternal hemodynamics control and neonatal outcomes of prophylactic temporary abdominal aortic balloon (PTAAB) occlusion for patients with pernicious placenta previa. Methods This was a retrospective study using data from the Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2014 through January 2020. Clinical records of pregnant women undergoing cesarean section were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: treatment with PTAAB placement (group A) and no balloon placement (group B). Group A was further broken down into two groups: prophylactic placement (Group C) and balloon occlusion (group D). Results Clinical records of 33 cases from 5205 pregnant women underwent cesarean section were collected. The number of groups A, B, C, and D were 17, 16, 5 and 12.We found that a significant difference in the post-operative uterine artery embolism rates between group A and group B (0% vs.31.3%, p = 0.018). There was a significant difference in the Apgar scores at first minute between group A and group B (8.94 ± 1.43 vs 9.81 ± 0.75,p = 0.037),and the same significant difference between two groups in the pre-operative central placenta previa (29.4% vs. 0%,p = 0.044), complete placenta previa (58.8% vs 18.8%, p = 0.032),placenta implantation (76.5% vs 31.3%, p = 0.015). We could also observe the significant difference in the amount of blood cell (2.80 ± 2.68vs.10.66 ± 11.97, p = 0.038) and blood plasma transfusion (280.00 ± 268.32 vs. 1033.33 ± 1098.20, p = 0.044) between group C and group D. The significant differences in the preoperative vaginal bleeding conditions (0% vs 75%, p = 0.009), the intraoperative application rates of vasopressors (0% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.044) and the postoperative ICU (intensive care unit) admission rates (0% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.044) were also kept. Conclusions PTAAB occlusion could be useful in reducing the rate of post-operative uterine artery embolism and the amount of transfusion, and be useful in coping with patients with preoperative vaginal bleeding conditions, so as to reduce the rate of intraoperative applications of vasopressors and the postoperative ICU (intensive care unit) admission. In PPP patients with placenta implantation, central placenta previa and complete placenta previa, we advocate the utilization of prophylactic temporary abdominal aortic balloon placement.

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Biomechanical study of Tile C3 pelvic fracture fixation using an anterior internal system combined with sacroiliac screws

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research ◽

10.1186/s13018-021-02348-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lin Liu ◽

Donggui Zeng ◽

Shicai Fan ◽

Yongxing Peng ◽

Hui Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Steel Plate ◽

Standing Position ◽

Pelvic Fractures ◽

Internal Fixator ◽

Sacroiliac Joints ◽

Sacroiliac Screws ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

Abstract Background How to perform minimally-invasive surgery on Tile C pelvic fractures is very difficult, and it is also a hot topic in orthopedic trauma research. We applied minimally-invasive treatment using an anterior internal fixator combined with sacroiliac screws. Objectives To compare the biomechanical properties of different fixation models in pelvic facture specimens, using an internal fixation system or a steel plate combined with sacroiliac screws. Methods Sixteen fresh adult cadaver pelvic specimens were randomly separated into four groups named A, B, C, and D. The four groups were respectively stabilized using a two-screwed, three-screwed, or four-screwed anterior internal fixator or a steel plate with sacroiliac screws. All models were tested in both standing and sitting positions. Vertical loads of 600 N were applied increasingly. Shifts of bilateral sacroiliac joints and pubis rupture were measured. Results The shifts in sacroiliac joints and pubis rupture in the standing position were all less than 3.5 mm, and the shifts in the sitting position were all less than 1 mm. In the standing position, the results of shifts in the sacroiliac joints were group C < group D < group B < group A. For comparisons between A:B and C:D, P > 0.05. For comparisons between A, B:C, and D, P < 0.05. The results of shifts in pubis ruptures were group D < group C < group B < group A. In the comparison between C:D, P > 0.05; for comparisons between A:B, A:C, A:D, B:C, and B:D, P < 0.05. In the sitting posture, the results of shifts in the sacroiliac joints were group C < group D < group B < group A, and the shifts in the pubis ruptures were group D < group C < roup B < group A. For comparison between C:D, P > 0.05. For comparisons between A:B, A:C, A:D, B:C, and B:D, P < 0.05. Conclusion Use of an anterior internal fixator combined with sacroiliac screws effectively stabilized Tile C3 pelvic fractures. The stability of specimens increased as the number of screws in the internal fixator increased.

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Hematological Features in Sheep with IgG and IgM Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10020164 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 164

Author(s):

Labrini V. Athanasiou ◽

Victoria M. Spanou ◽

Eleni G. Katsogiannou ◽

Panagiotis D. Katsoulos

Keyword(s):

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Blood Analysis ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Igm Antibodies ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody

Exposure of sheep to Borreliaburgdorferi sensulato (s.I.) complex, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB), has been reported in tick-abundant areas worldwide, while no data have been reported in Greece. The aim of the study was to identify the hematological alterations in sheep with seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi (s.I.). Blood samples were obtained from 318 tick infested sheep for blood analysis and serological determination of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay after exclusion of endo-ectoparasites and other tick-borne infections. A total number of 162 sheep met the inclusion criteria, allocated in four groups based on the presence or absence of IgG and/or IgM; sheep found negative for IgM and IgG (Group A), positive for IgM (Group B), positive for both IgM and IgG (Group C) and positive for IgG (Group D). Anemia, thrombocytopenia and normal or decreased leukocyte count, mainly due to lymphopenia were the main hematological features observed in seropositive sheep. The presence of these features raises the suspicion of Borrelia infection in tick infested sheep. The seropositivity of 23.58% in sheep raises concerns of Borrelia circulation, especially in rural areas and potential risk of transmission to humans.

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