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Despite the increasing number of patients suffering from tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Lyme disease, and their co-infection, the mechanisms of the development of these diseases and their effects on the human body are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the proteomic profile of human plasma induced by the development of TBE and to compare it with changes in TBE patients co-infected with other tick-borne pathogens. The results obtained by proteomic analysis using a nanoLC-Q Exactive HF mass spectrometer showed that the most highly elevated groups of proteins in the plasma of TBE patients with co-infection were involved in the pro-inflammatory response and protein degradation, while the antioxidant proteins and factors responsible for protein biosynthesis were mainly downregulated. These results were accompanied by enhanced GSH- and 4-HNE-protein adducts formation, observed in TBE and co-infected patients at a higher level than in the case of patients with only TBE. In conclusion, the differences in the proteomic profiles between patients with TBE and co-infected patients indicate that these diseases are significantly diverse and, consequently, require different treatment, which is particularly important for further research, including the development of novel diagnostics tools.

Purpose Remdesivir is the first line hospital treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite its widespread use during COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of data, also conflicting, are available about the frequency of cardiological side-effects. Additionally, identification of patients who belong to the risk groups for cardiovascular complications of antiviral treatment is difficult. Case description Case description We present a case of a 26 year old patient, a soldier with COVID-19 and no comorbidities, who developed marked sinus bradycardia during remdesivir therapy. The bradycardia resolved few days after the end of antiviral treatment. Conclusion Our case emphasizes the key importance of the correct monitoring of patients receiving remdesivir, even those who do not have pre-existing heart conditions.

The aim of the study was to assess the coagulation and inflammatory markers connected with severe course of COVID-19 and no clinical improvement.The study population included 2590 adult patients, diagnosed with COVID-19, selected from the SARSTer national database - an ongoing project led by the Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists and supported by the Medical Research Agency. Clinical and laboratory parameters, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophil and lymphocyte count, procalcitonin, ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer concentration and platelet (PLT) count were analyzed before and after treatment (remdesivir, tocilizumab, dexamethasone, anticoagulants).Significant differences between patients with mild and severe course of the disease were observed in all examined parameters before treatment (p ​ ​0.05). After treatment only ferritin concentration did not differ significantly. In patients with pulmonary embolism, CRP concentration, neutrophil count, D-dimer and IL-6 concentration were significantly higher than in patients without embolism (p ​ ​0.05). The significant differences between the groups with and without fatal outcome were observed within all analyzed parameters. Significant differences in all examined parameters before treatment were observed between patients with and without clinical improvement (p ​ ​0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that no clinical improvement was associated with: IL-6100 ​pg/ml (OR-2.14), D-dimer concentration over 1000 ​ng/ml (OR-1.62) and PLT count below 150,000/μl (OR-1.57).Severe course of the disease is associated with lower PLT and lymphocyte count, higher D-dimer, CRP, neutrophil count and IL-6 concentration. The best predictors of no clinical improvement in COVID-19 are: IL-6100 ​pg/ml, D-dimer1000 ​ng/ml and PLT150,000/μl.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the pulmonary function tests (PFT) in COVID-19 convalescents six months after recovery. Additionally, the research question was whether PFT should be performed routinely in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: A total of 39 patients with a history of COVID-19 6 months prior to the study were included in the study (Group I). Individuals were hospitalized or treated in the outpatients department. The control group (Group II) consisted of 39 healthy patients without a COVID-19 history. Each subject completed a questionnaire interview and underwent laboratory and pulmonary function examinations. Results: Six months after COVID-19 recovery, patients mainly complained about cough (46%, n = 18), shortness of breath (23%, n = 9), weakness (13%, n = 5), and memory/concentration disorders (8%, n = 3). In the group of patients complaining of persistent cough present 6 months after COVID-19, the following PFT parameters were decreased: FEV1, FVC, FRC, TLC, and DLCO (p < 0.05) in comparison with patients without this symptom. Conclusions: Persistent shortness of breath is not necessarily associated with pulmonary function impairment in patients 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and hence it requires appropriate differential diagnosis. Patients with a cough persisting 6 months after the acute phase of COVID-19 may benefit from PFT.

Approximately 25% of HIV-infected patients are co-infected with HCV. Notably, the burden of HCV infection (e.g., viral persistence, viral load, or HCV-related liver symptoms) is more pronounced in the presence of HIV co-infection. However, to date, the underlying immune mechanisms accounting for accelerated disease progression in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals have not been described in sufficient detail. We hypothesized that regulatory T cells (Treg) bearing potent immunosuppressive capacities could not only play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of HCV/HIV coinfection but also modulate the response to the standard anti-viral therapy. Materials and Methods: To this end, we studied alterations in frequencies of Treg cells in correlation with other Treg-related and virus-related parameters in both HCV and HCV/HIV-infected patients subjected to standard pegIFN-α/RBV therapy. Results: Notably, we found that pegIFN-α/RBV therapy significantly increased levels of Treg cells in HCV-infected but not in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals. Furthermore, HIV/HCV-coinfection was demonstrated to inhibit expansion of regulatory T cells during anti-viral treatment, thus, it might probably be responsible for viral persistence and HCV-related liver damage. Conclusions: Therapy with pegIFN-α/RBV demonstrated a significant effect on regulatory T cells in the course of HIV and/or HCV infection indicating a crucial role in the anti-viral immune response.

Disinfection is a key element in controlling infections. Fogging, also known as fumigation, is one of the most effective chemical disinfection methods. Peracetic acid (PAA) is a powerful oxidant with bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The aim of this study is to determine the type of bacteria and fungi present in educational institutions and whether disinfection by PAA fumigation in these institutions is also effective and useful, as demonstrated previously in healthcare centers. This study was carried out in five kindergartens and five primary schools in Bialystok, Poland. Three rooms have been selected in each of these educational institutions, and the disinfection was carried out in 30 rooms in total. Fogging with PAA was performed in selected rooms. Before and after disinfection, samples were collected from four surfaces: walls, tables, doors, and chair backs. Most frequently detected microorganisms in schools and kindergartens were Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus), Staphylococcus warneri (S. warneri), Paracoccus yeei (P. yeei), Staphylococcus hominis ssp. hominis (S. hominis), Kocuria rhizophila (K. rhizophila), Kocuria rosea (K. rosea). In addition, Staphylococcus haemolyticus (S. haemolyticus), Acinetobacter lwoffii (A. lwoffii), Kocuria kristinae (K. kristinae), Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (L. lactis) were the most prevalent in kindergartens, whereas Kytococcus sedentarius (K. sedentarius) was the most prevalent in schools. Comparison of the bacterial flora of schools and kindergartens showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of bacteria on different surfaces. A significant decrease in the number of colonies after disinfection was observed on all surfaces (p < 0.05). In addition, the calculated effectiveness of disinfection was 99.7% in kindergartens and 99.3% in schools. The results indicate that fogging of PAA is a highly effective method of surface disinfection in kindergartens and schools.

The aim of our study was to clarify the clinical picture of anaplasmosis through analysis of the symptoms and clinical signs presented by infected patients in a cohort of tick-bitten individuals. The study included 1375 patients with suspicion of tick-borne disease. Finally, 120 patients (8.7%) were diagnosed with anaplasmosis (HGA). Blood samples were examined by PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia spp., and Bartonella spp.. Based on analysis of 120 patients with HGA we concluded that anaplasmosis is not as rare in Europe, as it is thought to be and often appears as a co-infection with other tick-borne pathogens. The co-infection rate of patients with A. phagocytophilum infection in tick endemic areas is high. Co-infection of A. phagocytophilum with B. burgdorferi s.l. or tick-borne encephalitis virus may influence symptom frequency. PCR together with medical history, clinical picture and basic laboratory tests is a sufficient method for the diagnosis of anaplasmosis. Doxycycline is an effective drug leading to complete recovery.