Article
Infectious Diseases
Elizabeth L. Maloney
Summary: Lyme disease, often thought to be easily treatable, can actually become a debilitating illness if patients continue to experience symptoms after early treatment. The current treatment recommendations for US patients have been criticized for not effectively addressing this issue, calling for evidence-based and patient-centered strategies to manage patients with erythema migrans lesions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laurence Geebelen, Tinne Lernout, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Benoit Kabamba-Mukadi, Veroniek Saegeman, Leila Belkhir, Paul De Munter, Benedicte Dubois, Rene Westhovens, Herman Van Oyen, Niko Speybroeck, Katrien Tersago
Summary: Patients with Lyme borreliosis may experience persistent non-specific symptoms known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). This study compared symptoms and identified risk factors in Lyme borreliosis patients. It found that a higher proportion of patients with disseminated/late Lyme borreliosis developed PTLDS. Further research into risk factors and causes of PTLDS is needed, as well as the development of standardized methods to assess the syndrome.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gary P. Wormser, Donna McKenna, Eliana Jacobson, Elayna M. Shanker, Keith D. Shaffer, Carol Scavarda, Paul Visintainer
Summary: The study found that patients with erythema migrans who received antibiotic treatment for less than 7 days were more likely to experience at least one symptom than those treated for 7 days or more. Additionally, there was a significantly lower percentage of males among the treated group compared to untreated study subjects.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Sk Imran Hossain, Jocelyn de Goer de Herve, Md Shahriar Hassan, Delphine Martineau, Evelina Petrosyan, Violaine Corbin, Jean Beytout, Isabelle Lebert, Jonas Durand, Irene Carravieri, Annick Brun-Jacob, Pascale Frey-Klett, Elisabeth Baux, Celine Cazorla, Carole Eldin, Yves Hansmann, Solene Patrat-Delon, Thierry Prazuck, Alice Raffetin, Pierre Tattevin, Gwenael Vourc'h, Olivier Lesens, Engelbert Mephu Nguifo
Summary: A lightweight CNN application can assist users with early diagnosis of Lyme disease on mobile devices, while resource-intensive CNN applications can aid non-expert practitioners with accurate diagnosis. This study extensively analyzes the effectiveness of CNNs for diagnosing Lyme disease and provides guidelines for model selection considering resource constraints.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Giusto Trevisan, Katiuscia Nan, Nicola di Meo, Serena Bonin
Summary: This study compared the clinical data of 439 patients diagnosed with erythema migrans (EM) either through physical assessment or through telemedicine. The results clearly showed that utilizing telemedicine for EM diagnosis is useful as it enables prompt administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy, which is critical to avoid complications, especially for neurologic and articular entities.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karina M. Forde, Joanne O'Gorman, Patrick J. Gavin, Matthew S. Dryden, Deirbhile Keady, Belinda Hanahoe, Colm McDonnell, Lorraine Power, Bartley Cryan, James Sweeney, Karl F. Conyard, Michael J. O'Grady
Summary: Serologically confirmed Lyme disease in children is relatively rare in the Republic of Ireland, with 98% of children tested being seronegative. Among the seropositive cases, 40% could have been diagnosed based on clinical findings alone. Neurological presentations were common (40%), and almost all cases (97%) where data were available reported full resolution of symptoms.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alison W. Rebman, Ting Yang, Erica A. Mihm, Cheryl B. Novak, Isaac Yoon, Debra Powell, Steven A. Geller, John N. Aucott
Summary: The study found that the size of EM lesions increased with duration, male EM lesions were larger than female ones, and older age decreased the likelihood of central clearing. These findings suggest patterns within the variability of EM presentations and emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Review
Rheumatology
Guillaume Coiffier, Pierre Tattevin
Summary: Lyme borreliosis is a widely spread tick-borne disease with a debated chronic form. In France, 24 scientific societies representing various medical disciplines have conflicting recommendations with an independent physician group on the recognition of a new syndrome possibly related to tick bites.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Giusto Trevisan, Maurizio Ruscio, Marina Cinco, Katiuscia Nan, Patrizia Forgione, Nicola Di Meo, Paolo Tranchini, Massimo Nacca, Silvana Trincone, Sara Giordana Rimoldi, Vania Giacomet, Michela Ricci, Davide Melandri, Stefania Artioli, Patrizia Monteforte, Giuseppe Stinco, Serena Bonin
Summary: This study collects data from LB patients in different regions of Italy and confirms that LB is widespread throughout the country.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jiaru Yang, Shiyuan Wen, Jing Kong, Peng Yue, Wenjing Cao, Xin Xu, Yu Zhang, Jingjing Chen, Meixiao Liu, Yuxin Fan, Lisha Luo, Taigui Chen, Lianbao Li, Bingxue Li, Yan Dong, Suyi Luo, Guozhong Zhou, Aihua Liu, Fukai Bao
Summary: This study demonstrated the efficacy of oral amoxicillin, oral azithromycin, injectable ceftriaxone, and injectable cefotaxime for treating Lyme disease. Cefuroxime and penicillin were found to be safe for treating LD. Amoxicillin was effective for treating erythema migrans. However, no significant advantage of doxycycline in efficacy and safety for treating LD was observed.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laurence Geebelen, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Tinne Lernout, Katrien Tersago, Yves Parmentier, Herman Van Oyen, Niko Speybroeck, Philippe Beutels
Summary: This study estimated the economic burden of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, with a total annual cost exceeding 5.5 million euros. The majority of the costs were related to disseminated/late Lyme borreliosis diagnoses. Direct medical costs and productivity losses accounted for the largest portion of the total costs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amy D. Thompson, Fran Balamuth, Desiree N. Neville, Laura L. Chapman, Michael N. Levas, Anupam B. Kharbanda, John A. Branda, Meagan M. Ladell, Claire Loiselle, Lise E. Nigrovic, Pedi Lyme Net
Summary: In our long-term study of 192 children, we found that two-tier Lyme disease serology had higher sensitivity in children with multiple erythema migrans lesions compared to those with single lesions. Therefore, the diagnosis of cutaneous Lyme disease should rely more on careful physical examination rather than solely on laboratory testing.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Katarina Ogrinc, Andrej Kastrin, Stanka Lotric-Furlan, Petra Bogovic, Tereza Rojko, Vera Maraspin, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Klemen Strle, Franc Strle
Summary: The study found that the occurrence of erythema migrans in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis (Bannwarth syndrome) is highly consistent with the dermatomes of radicular pain, supporting the theory of retrograde spread of borrelia from the skin to the spinal cord via peripheral nerves.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Frederik R. van de Schoor, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, Michelle A. E. Brouwer, Hadewych J. M. ter Hofstede, Heidi L. M. Lemmers, Helga Dijkstra, Collins K. Boahen, Marije Oosting, Bart-Jan Kullberg, Joppe W. Hovius, Cees C. van den Wijngaard, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Mihai G. Netea, Leo A. B. Joosten
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) during early Lyme borreliosis (LB) and provides insights into the host response to B. burgdorferi. The study finds that the addition of interleukin-12 (IL-12) amplifies the IFN-gamma response in cells exposed to B. burgdorferi, and the response is significantly higher in LB patients. The study also identifies a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with increased IFN-gamma production.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Agnieszka Myszkowska-Torz, Mateusz Tomaszewski, Michal Kotowski, Cezary Witczak, Magdalena Figlerowicz, Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska
Summary: The occurrence of skin lesions is the earliest symptom of Lyme disease, and proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent neurological complications. The skin presentations of Lyme disease are diverse, with typical and atypical lesions causing diagnostic difficulties, especially when the patient does not remember the tick bite. This study aims to describe the heterogeneous skin symptoms and provide a practical approach for recognizing and diagnosing the disease.
Article
Microbiology
Dasa Podgorsek, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Mateja Logar, Andrea Pavlovic, Tatjana Remec, Zvonko Baklan, Emil Pal, Tjasa Cerar
Article
Infectious Diseases
Catherine Ludden, Felix Lotsch, Erik Alm, Narender Kumar, Karin Johansson, Barbara Albiger, Te-Din Huang, Olivier Denis, Anette M. Hammerum, Henrik Hasman, Jari Jalava, Kati Raisanen, Laurent Dortet, Agnes B. Jousset, Soren Gatermann, Sebastian Haller, Martin Cormican, Wendy Brennan, Maria Del Grosso, Monica Monaco, Leo Schouls, Orjan Samuelsen, Mateja Pirs, Tjasa Cerar, Jesus Oteo-Iglesias, Maria Perez-Vazquez, Karin Sjostrom, Petra Edquist, Katie L. Hopkins, Marc J. Struelens, Daniel Palm, Dominique L. Monnet, Anke Kohlenberg
Article
Immunology
Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Rok Blagus, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Fajko F. Bajrovic, Dasa Stupica
Summary: This study did not find significant differences in systemic immune responses represented by selected cytokines or chemokines in patients with early Lyme borreliosis, suggesting that systemic mediators are not pivotal in the pathogenesis of dissemination of the infection. Localized immune responses in the skin or other pathogenetic mechanisms may be more important in this regard.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julija Germ, Katja Seme, Tjasa Cerar, Veronika Krizan Hergouth, Mateja Pirs
Summary: Our study demonstrates that the Rapid Polymyxin NP test is superior to the Alifax test in detecting colistin resistance in Enterobacterales, particularly in the Enterobacter spp.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
K. Ogrinc, V. Maraspin, L. Lusa, T. Cerar Kisek, E. Ruzic-Sabljic, F. Strle
Summary: Background information on patients with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) is limited. The study assessed clinical and microbiological characteristics of ACA patients at a single medical center, finding that the majority of patients had skin lesions on extremities, showing reddish-blue discoloration, swelling, and thinning of the skin. Most skin samples isolated Borreliae, with the majority being Borrelia afzelii.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Urska Glinsek Biskup, Rok Kogoj, Misa Korva, Natasa Knap, Tjasa Cerar, Tea Knapic, Miroslav Petrovec, Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc
Summary: The study investigated the molecular diversity of Francisella tularensis using VNTR analysis as a high-resolution typing system, revealing useful tools for quick molecular characterization directly from patient samples, especially when investigating geographically localized outbreaks. No F. tularensis DNA was detected in samples of small mammals or ticks in the same region where patients with tularemia were found.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Nezka Pogacnik, Karmen Godic Torkar
Summary: The study evaluated the diversity of 61 Bacillus cereus strains, identifying distinct clonal complexes and differences between clinical and food sources. Plasmid distribution was uneven among the strains tested, with no clear correlation observed between PFGE profiles, sources, and plasmid content.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dasa Stupica, Fajko F. Bajrovic, Rok Blagus, Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Anja Lah, Eva Levstek, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic
Summary: This retrospective cohort study of 311 adults with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) allocated according to diagnostic certainty found that less than half of the cases were definitively diagnosed, with the most frequent manifestation being cranial neuropathy. Patients with definite LNB more often presented with Bannwarth syndrome, had more severe disease, longer pre-treatment duration, and higher Borrelia seropositivity compared to those with possible LNB. A better diagnostic approach is needed to confirm borrelial etiology.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Darja Kese, Aljosa Obreza, Tereza Rojko, Tjasa Cerar Kisek
Summary: Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of severe Legionnaires' disease (LD), and there is limited data on the molecular epidemiology in Slovenia. A retrospective study from 2006 to 2020 found 4.6% of pneumonia patients in Slovenia tested positive for L. pneumophila infection, with the most frequent sequence types being ST1 and ST23. Sequence-based typing identified 33 different sequence types, showing a high diversity among isolates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dasa Stupica, Fajko F. Bajrovic, Rok Blagus, Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Masa Veluscek
Summary: The study investigated the association between statin use and clinical/microbiologic characteristics in patients with early Lyme borreliosis. Results showed that statin use was not associated with disease severity or long-term outcome in early LB.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dasa Stupica, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Natasa Kejzar, Zala Jagodic, Mario Poljak, Mirijam Nahtigal Klevisar
Summary: This study in Slovenia during the predominance of the Delta variant found that fully vaccinated adult patients with breakthrough infections had a lower likelihood of progressing to critically severe disease and spent less time hospitalized compared to unvaccinated patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dasa Stupica, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Natasa Kejzar, Mario Poljak, Tina Stamol
Summary: Evidence suggests that monovalent vaccine formulations are less effective against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant compared to previous variants. However, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 remains an effective intervention to decrease morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jana Susnjar, Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Katja Strasek Smrdel, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Katja Adam, Vladimir Ivovic
Summary: The density and spread of tick vector species in Europe have increased in the past 30 years, resulting in an increase in Lyme borreliosis cases in Slovenia. This study aimed to isolate and identify Borrelia strains in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in two regions of the country and determine the prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and B. miyamotoi. The results showed a high prevalence of Borrelia spp., with B. garinii subtype Mlg2 being the most abundant.
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)