[Selected lymphocyte subsets in Lime borreliosis: a preliminary study]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Research

Background:

• Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, affects various bodily systems.
• Immune system dysregulation, particularly in lymphocyte populations, is implicated in Lyme borreliosis pathogenesis.
• Understanding changes in lymphocyte subsets can provide insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the percentage changes in lymphocyte subsets (CD19, CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cells) and activated T cells (CD3+HLA-DR) in Lyme borreliosis patients.
• To compare these immune parameters before and after a 4-week course of antibiotic therapy.
• To evaluate the CD4/CD8 ratio and its changes in relation to treatment.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometric immunophenotyping was used to measure lymphocyte subsets and activated T cells.
• 30 patients with confirmed Lyme borreliosis (erythema migrans, Lyme arthritis, neuroborreliosis) were studied.
• Blood samples were analyzed before (I examination) and after (II examination) antibiotic treatment (ampicillin, ceftriaxone, or cefotaxime).

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in CD19+ lymphocytes were observed after treatment compared to before.
• Percentages of CD4, CD8, and NK cells were lower in patients compared to controls, both before and after treatment.
• A lower CD4/CD8 ratio and reduced percentages of activated T cells (CD3+HLA-DR+) were noted post-treatment.
• No significant changes were found in lymphocyte subsets with IL-2 receptors before and after treatment.

Conclusions:

• Active Borrelia burgdorferi infection causes significant alterations in lymphocyte subsets.
• Decreased percentages of CD4, CD8, NK cells, and activated T cells suggest their involvement in the immunopathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis.
• The lack of full normalization of immune parameters post-treatment may be due to immune system inertness or inadequate antibiotic therapy duration.