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Bransfield RC, Goud Gadila SK, Kursawe LJ, Dwork AJ, Rosoklija G, Horn EJ, Cook MJ, Embers ME. Late-stage borreliosis and substance abuse. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31159. [PMID: 38779029 PMCID: PMC11108998 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Infectious diseases can contribute to substance abuse. Here, a fatal case of borreliosis and substance abuse is reported. This patient had a history of multiple tick bites and increasing multisystem symptoms, yet diagnosis and treatment were delayed. He experimented with multiple substances including phencyclidine (PCP), an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that opposes NMDA agonism caused by Borrelia infection. During PCP withdrawal, he committed one homicide, two assaults, and suicide. Methods Brain tissue was obtained from autopsy and stained for microglial activation and quinolinic acid (QA). Immunoflouresence (IFA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to identify the presence of pathogens in autopsy tissue. Results Autopsy tissue evaluation demonstrated Borrelia in the pancreas by IFA and heart by IFA and FISH. Activated microglia and QA were found in the brain, indicating neuroinflammation. It is postulated that PCP withdrawal may exacerbate symptoms produced by Borrelia-induced biochemical imbalances in the brain. This combination may have greatly increased his acute homicidal and suicidal risk. Patient databases also demonstrated the risk of homicide or suicide in patients diagnosed with borreliosis and confirmed multiple symptoms in these patients, including chronic pain, anxiety, and anhedonia. Conclusions Late-stage borreliosis is associated with multiple symptoms that may contribute to an increased risk of substance abuse and addictive disorders. More effective diagnosis and treatment of borreliosis, and attention to substance abuse potential may help reduce associated morbidity and mortality in patients with borreliosis, particularly in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Bransfield
- Rutgers-RWJ Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA. Hackensack Meridian Health-School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Shiva Kumar Goud Gadila
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Laura J. Kursawe
- Charité – Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universitat Berlin and Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew J. Dwork
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States. Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York, USA
- State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, Macedonia
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gorazd Rosoklija
- State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Monica E. Embers
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences, Covington, LA, USA
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Adler BL, Chung T, Rowe PC, Aucott J. Dysautonomia following Lyme disease: a key component of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome? Front Neurol 2024; 15:1344862. [PMID: 38390594 PMCID: PMC10883079 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1344862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysautonomia, or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), may occur following an infectious insult and can result in a variety of debilitating, widespread, and often poorly recognized symptoms. Dysautonomia is now widely accepted as a complication of COVID-19 and is an important component of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or long COVID). PASC shares many overlapping clinical features with other infection-associated chronic illnesses including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), suggesting that they may share common underlying mechanisms including autonomic dysfunction. Despite the recognition of this complication of Lyme disease in the care of patients with PTLD, there has been a scarcity of research in this field and dysautonomia has not yet been established as a complication of Lyme disease in the medical literature. In this review, we discuss the evidence implicating Borrelia burgdorferi as a cause of dysautonomia and the related symptoms, propose potential pathogenic mechanisms given our knowledge of Lyme disease and mechanisms of PASC and ME/CFS, and discuss the diagnostic evaluation and treatments of dysautonomia. We also outline gaps in the literature and priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Adler
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tae Chung
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter C Rowe
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John Aucott
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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3
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Adkison H, Embers ME. Lyme disease and the pursuit of a clinical cure. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1183344. [PMID: 37293310 PMCID: PMC10244525 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1183344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. Many aspects of the disease are still topics of controversy within the scientific and medical communities. One particular point of debate is the etiology behind antibiotic treatment failure of a significant portion (10-30%) of Lyme disease patients. The condition in which patients with Lyme disease continue to experience a variety of symptoms months to years after the recommended antibiotic treatment is most recently referred to in the literature as post treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) or just simply post treatment Lyme disease (PTLD). The most commonly proposed mechanisms behind treatment failure include host autoimmune responses, long-term sequelae from the initial Borrelia infection, and persistence of the spirochete. The aims of this review will focus on the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence that either validates or challenges these mechanisms, particularly with regard to the role of the immune response in disease and resolution of the infection. Next generation treatments and research into identifying biomarkers to predict treatment responses and outcomes for Lyme disease patients are also discussed. It is essential that definitions and guidelines for Lyme disease evolve with the research to translate diagnostic and therapeutic advances to patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monica E. Embers
- Division of Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences, Covington, LA, United States
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4
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Grijincu M, Huțu I, Weber M, Babaev E, Stolz F, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Physicochemical and immunological characterization of Amb a 12, a novel ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen allergen. Mol Immunol 2023; 157:18-29. [PMID: 36966550 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ragweed is an invasive plant in Europe, causing hay fever and asthma in allergic patients. Climate change is predicted to increase expansion and allergenicity. Elevated NO2 induced upregulation of a new allergen in ragweed pollen, an enolase, Amb a 12. OBJECTIVE of this study was producing ragweed enolase as a recombinant protein and characterizing its physicochemical and immunological features. METHODS Amb a 12 was designed for E. coli and insect cell expression. Physicochemical features were determined by mass spectrometry, circular dichroism measurements and enzymatic activity assay. Immunological characteristics were determined in ELISA, in a mediator release assay and by investigation of association with clinical symptoms. Common allergen sources were screened for similar proteins. RESULTS Ragweed enolase was produced as a 48 kDa protein forming oligomers in both expression systems, showing differences in secondary structure content and enzymatic activity depending on expression system. IgE frequency and allergenicity were low regardless of expression system. Enolase-specific serum bound to similar sized molecules in mugwort, timothy grass and birch pollen, as well as food allergen sources, while highest IgE inhibition was achieved with peach pulp extract. CONCLUSIONS Amb a 12 had high sequence similarity and comparable IgE frequency to enolase allergens from different sources. 50 kDa proteins were found in other pollen and food allergen sources, suggesting that enolases might be pan-allergens in pollen and plant foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Huțu
- University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I of Romania", Timişoara, Romania
| | - Milena Weber
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Frank Stolz
- Biomay AG, Vienna Competence Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia; Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania.
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
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Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Tick-Borne Pathogens in Czech Patients with Suspected Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112217. [PMID: 34835343 PMCID: PMC8619037 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesized importance of coinfections in the pathogenesis of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) leads to the use of combined, ongoing antimicrobial treatment in many cases despite the absence of symptoms typical of the presence of infection with specific pathogens. Serum samples from 103 patients with suspected post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome were tested for the presence of antibodies to the major tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae/Bartonella quinatana, and Babesia microti. Although the presence of anti-Anaplasma antibodies was detected in 12.6% of the samples and anti-Bartonella antibodies in 9.7% of the samples, the presence of antibodies against both pathogens in the same samples or anti-Babesia antibodies in the selected group of patients could not be confirmed. However, we were able to detect autoantibodies, mostly antinuclear, in 11.6% of the patients studied. Our results are in good agreement with previously published studies showing the presence of a wide spectrum of autoantibodies in some patients with complicated forms of Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, but they do not reveal a significant influence of co-infections on the development of PTLDS in the studied group of patients.
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Rodríguez-Saavedra C, Morgado-Martínez LE, Burgos-Palacios A, King-Díaz B, López-Coria M, Sánchez-Nieto S. Moonlighting Proteins: The Case of the Hexokinases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:701975. [PMID: 34235183 PMCID: PMC8256278 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.701975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins are defined as proteins with two or more functions that are unrelated and independent to each other, so that inactivation of one of them should not affect the second one and vice versa. Intriguingly, all the glycolytic enzymes are described as moonlighting proteins in some organisms. Hexokinase (HXK) is a critical enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and displays a wide range of functions in different organisms such as fungi, parasites, mammals, and plants. This review discusses HXKs moonlighting functions in depth since they have a profound impact on the responses to nutritional, environmental, and disease challenges. HXKs’ activities can be as diverse as performing metabolic activities, as a gene repressor complexing with other proteins, as protein kinase, as immune receptor and regulating processes like autophagy, programmed cell death or immune system responses. However, most of those functions are particular for some organisms while the most common moonlighting HXK function in several kingdoms is being a glucose sensor. In this review, we also analyze how different regulation mechanisms cause HXK to change its subcellular localization, oligomeric or conformational state, the response to substrate and product concentration, and its interactions with membrane, proteins, or RNA, all of which might impact the HXK moonlighting functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rodríguez-Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Enrique Morgado-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrés Burgos-Palacios
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Beatriz King-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Montserrat López-Coria
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sobeida Sánchez-Nieto
- Laboratorio de Transporte y Percepción de Azúcares en Plantas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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7
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Trevisan G, Bonin S, Ruscio M. A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis: From Clinical Heterogeneity to Laboratory Methods. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:265. [PMID: 32793606 PMCID: PMC7390863 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evaluation of Lyme Borreliosis (LB) is the starting point for its diagnosis. The patient's medical history and clinical symptoms are fundamental for disease recognition. The heterogeneity in clinical manifestations of LB can be related to different causes, including the different strains of Borrelia, possible co-infection with other tick transmitted pathogens, and its interactions with the human host. This review aims at describing the heterogeneous symptoms of Lyme Borreliosis, as well as offering a practical approach for recognition of the disease, both in terms of clinical features and diagnostic/research tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusto Trevisan
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Bonin
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- ASU GI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Trieste, Italy
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8
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Chronic Lyme Disease: An Evidence-Based Definition by the ILADS Working Group. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8040269. [PMID: 31888310 PMCID: PMC6963229 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8040269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Chronic Lyme disease has been a poorly defined term and often dismissed as a fictitious entity. In this paper, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides its evidence-based definition of chronic Lyme disease. Definition: ILADS defines chronic Lyme disease (CLD) as a multisystem illness with a wide range of symptoms and/or signs that are either continuously or intermittently present for a minimum of six months. The illness is the result of an active and ongoing infection by any of several pathogenic members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Bbsl). The infection has variable latency periods and signs and symptoms may wax, wane and migrate. CLD has two subcategories, CLD, untreated (CLD-U) and CLD, previously treated (CLD-PT). The latter requires that CLD manifestations persist or recur following treatment and are present continuously or in a relapsing/remitting pattern for a duration of six months or more. Methods: Systematic review of over 250 peer reviewed papers in the international literature to characterize the clinical spectrum of CLD-U and CLD-PT. Conclusion: This evidence-based definition of chronic Lyme disease clarifies the term's meaning and the literature review validates that chronic and ongoing Bbsl infections can result in chronic disease. Use of this CLD definition will promote a better understanding of the infection and facilitate future research of this infection.
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9
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Churilov LP, Sobolevskaia PA, Stroev YI. Thyroid gland and brain: Enigma of Hashimoto's encephalopathy. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 33:101364. [PMID: 31801687 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2019.101364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The versatile clinical manifestations of the Hashimoto's chronic autoimmune thyroiditis often include psycho-neurological disorders. Although hypothyroidism disturbs significantly the ontogenesis and functions of central nervous system, causing in severe cases of myxedema profound impairment of cognitive abilities and even psychosis, the behavioral, motor and other psychoneurological disorders accompany euthyroid and slightly hypothyroid cases and periods of Hashimoto's disease as well, thus constituting the picture of so called "Hashimoto's encephalopathy". The entity, although discussed and explored for more than 50 years since its initial descriptions, remains an enigma of thyroidology and psychiatry, because its etiology and pathogenesis are obscure. The paper describes the development of current views on the role of thyroid in ontogeny and functions of brain, as well as classical and newest ideas on the etiology and pathogenesis of Hashimot's encephalopathy. The synopsis of the world case reports and research literature on this disorder is added with authors' own results obtained by study of 17 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with schizophrenia-like clinical manifestations. The relation of the disease to adjuvant-like etiological factors is discussed. Three major mechanistic concepts of Hashimoto's encephalopathy are detailed, namely cerebral vasculitis theory, hormone dysregulation theory and concept, explaining the disease via direct action of the autoantibodies against various thyroid (thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH-receptor) and several extrathyroid antigens (alpha-enolase and other enzymes, gangliosides and MOG-protein, onconeuronal antigens) - all of them expressed in the brain. The article demonstrates that all above mentioned concepts intermingle and prone to unification, suggesting the unified scheme of pathogenesis for the Hashimoto's encephalopathy. The clinical manifestations, criteria, forms, course, treatment and prognosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy and its comorbidity to other diseases - are also discussed in brief. The relation between Hashimoto's encephalopathy and non-vasculitis autoimmune encephalomyelitides of paraneoplastic and non-paraneoplastic origin is emphasized [1 figure, bibliography - 200 references].
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid P Churilov
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia.
| | - Polina A Sobolevskaia
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia.
| | - Yuri I Stroev
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia.
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10
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Comhaire F, Deslypere JP. News and views in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): The role of co-morbidity and novel treatments. Med Hypotheses 2019; 134:109444. [PMID: 31669858 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Though affecting many thousands of patients, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) should be considered an orphan disease, since the cause remains elusive and no treatment is available that can provide complete cure. There is reasonable insight into the pathogenesis of signs and symptoms, and treatments specifically directed to immunological, inflammatory and metabolic processes offer relief to an increasing number of patients. Particular attention is given to the importance of co-morbidity requiring appropriate therapy. Promising results are obtained by treatment with Metformin, or possibly Momordica charantia extract, which will correct insulin resistance, with Meldonium improving the transportation of glucose into the mitochondria, with sodium dichloroacetate activating pyruvate dehydrogenase, and with nutraceutical support reducing oxidative and inflammatory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Comhaire
- Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine, Endrocrinology and Metabolic diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
| | - J P Deslypere
- Managing Director Aesculape CRO BVBA, Belseledorp, 116; B9111 Belsele, Belgium
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11
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Bacterial Amyloids: The Link between Bacterial Infections and Autoimmunity. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:954-963. [PMID: 31422877 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular mimicry is a common mechanism used by many bacteria to evade immune responses. In recent years, it has become evident that bacteria also decorate the extracellular matrix (ECM) of their biofilms with molecules that resemble those of the host. These molecules include amyloids and other proteins, polysaccharides, and extracellular DNA. Bacterial amyloids, like curli, and extracellular DNA are found in the biofilms of many species. Recent work demonstrated that curli and DNA form unique molecular structures that are recognized by the immune system, causing activation of autoimmune pathways. Although a variety of mechanisms have been suggested as the means by which infections initiate and/or exacerbate autoimmune diseases, the mechanism remains unknown. In this article, we discuss recent work on biofilms that highlight the role of amyloids as a carrier for DNA and potentiator of autoimmune responses, and we propose a novel link between bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases.
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12
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Locke JW. Complement Evasion in Borrelia spirochetes: Mechanisms and Opportunities for Intervention. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8020080. [PMID: 31200570 PMCID: PMC6627623 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8020080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is an increasingly prevalent, climate change-accelerated, vector-borne infectious disease with significant morbidity and cost in a proportion of patients who experience ongoing symptoms after antibiotic treatment, a condition known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Spirochetal bacteria of Borrelia species are the causative agents of LD. These obligate parasites have evolved sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms, including the ability to defeat the innate immune system’s complement cascade. Research on complement function and Borrelia evasion mechanisms, focusing on human disease, is reviewed, highlighting opportunities to build on existing knowledge. Implications for the development of new antibiotic therapies having the potential to prevent or cure PTLDS are discussed. It is noted that a therapy enabling the complement system to effectively counter Borrelia might have lower cost and fewer side-effects and risks than broad-spectrum antibiotic use and could avert the need to develop and administer a vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W Locke
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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13
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Melenotte C, Drancourt M, Gorvel JP, Mège JL, Raoult D. Post-bacterial infection chronic fatigue syndrome is not a latent infection. Med Mal Infect 2019; 49:140-149. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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