{"title":"Heterogeneity of the immunodominant surface protein VlsE among the three genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi pathogenic for humans","authors":"Gereon Göttner, Ulrike Schulte-Spechtel, Bettina Wilske","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80034-2","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80034-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 172-173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80034-2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24521437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80015-9
Andrey N. Alekseev , Helen V. Dubinina , Olga V. Jushkova
{"title":"First report on the coexistence and compatibility of seven tickborne pathogens in unfed adult Ixodes persulcatus Schulze (Acarina: Ixodidae)","authors":"Andrey N. Alekseev , Helen V. Dubinina , Olga V. Jushkova","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80015-9","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80015-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 104-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80015-9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24522102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In Germany, 100–300 autochthonous clinical TBE cases have been recorded annually. There are high-risk areas in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg and ongoing low-risk areas in Hesse, Thuringia, and the Rhineland-Palatinate and single cases in Saxony.
In order to be able to evaluate the epidemiological changes described here, it must be mentioned that a new definition of TBE risk areas was introduced on the district level in 1998 in Germany and in 2001 with the new Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz) which states that TBE is a notifiable disease. This led to the replacement of earlier surveillance systems and to many changes to data collection.
In 1998 63 country and town districts were TBE risk areas, in 2001 79 and in 2002 86. There were new risk districts within Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg and outside these regions in Thuringia, Hesse and the Rhineland-Palatinate.
An interesting trend was observed in TBE epidemiology. The TBE incidence in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg has been stable on a high level for years; outside these areas it has steadily been climbing (Odenwald, Thuringia).
On the basis of epidemiological data on TBE from the eastern part of Germany since 1960, it is obvious that major changes in virus activity in TBE risk areas also occurred in the past, the explanation of which has remained a matter for speculation.
The epidemiological situation in the different risk areas for TBE in Germany was found to vary considerably, if one considers the surveillance data of the last 40 years.
1.
Establishment of completely new low-risk areas.
2.
Reactivation of formerly active areas with endemic latency.
3.
High-risk areas with stable viral activity over long periods.
4.
High-risk areas which have expanded and merged with low-risk areas.
5.
High-risk areas which have developed into endemic areas or become inactive.
High-risk TBE areas from 1960–1975 (i.e. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) have since completely disappeared. There were, at the same time, high-risk areas in Thuringia which had only become latent and have now obviously become active again. The Odenwald demonstrated growing virus activity in the 1990s. These changes in TBE activity in German risk areas over more than the last 40 years are presented schematically. This ongoing number of risk areas is certainly linked to the notification obligation and greater public awareness. Nevertheless, any effects of ecological and climatic changes on the natural foci cannot be ruled out nor can change sin human leisure behaviour. Local weather conditions also have a major effect on the TBE incidence. Warm and dry summers may cause low tick activities, rainy summers may lead to low exposure rates of human beings. Even changes in forms o
{"title":"Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Germany — Epidemiological data, development of risk areas and virus prevalence in field-collected ticks and in ticks removed from humans","authors":"Jochen Süss , Christina Schrader , Ulrich Falk , Nikolaus Wohanka","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80011-1","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80011-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In Germany, 100–300 autochthonous clinical TBE cases have been recorded annually. There are high-risk areas in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg and ongoing low-risk areas in Hesse, Thuringia, and the Rhineland-Palatinate and single cases in Saxony.</p><p>In order to be able to evaluate the epidemiological changes described here, it must be mentioned that a new definition of TBE risk areas was introduced on the district level in 1998 in Germany and in 2001 with the new Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz) which states that TBE is a notifiable disease. This led to the replacement of earlier surveillance systems and to many changes to data collection.</p><p>In 1998 63 country and town districts were TBE risk areas, in 2001 79 and in 2002 86. There were new risk districts within Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg and outside these regions in Thuringia, Hesse and the Rhineland-Palatinate.</p><p>An interesting trend was observed in TBE epidemiology. The TBE incidence in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg has been stable on a high level for years; outside these areas it has steadily been climbing (Odenwald, Thuringia).</p><p>On the basis of epidemiological data on TBE from the eastern part of Germany since 1960, it is obvious that major changes in virus activity in TBE risk areas also occurred in the past, the explanation of which has remained a matter for speculation.</p><p>The epidemiological situation in the different risk areas for TBE in Germany was found to vary considerably, if one considers the surveillance data of the last 40 years.</p><ul><li><span>1.</span><span><p>Establishment of completely new low-risk areas.</p></span></li><li><span>2.</span><span><p>Reactivation of formerly active areas with endemic latency.</p></span></li><li><span>3.</span><span><p>High-risk areas with stable viral activity over long periods.</p></span></li><li><span>4.</span><span><p>High-risk areas which have expanded and merged with low-risk areas.</p></span></li><li><span>5.</span><span><p>High-risk areas which have developed into endemic areas or become inactive.</p></span></li></ul><p>High-risk TBE areas from 1960–1975 (i.e. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) have since completely disappeared. There were, at the same time, high-risk areas in Thuringia which had only become latent and have now obviously become active again. The Odenwald demonstrated growing virus activity in the 1990s. These changes in TBE activity in German risk areas over more than the last 40 years are presented schematically. This ongoing number of risk areas is certainly linked to the notification obligation and greater public awareness. Nevertheless, any effects of ecological and climatic changes on the natural foci cannot be ruled out nor can change sin human leisure behaviour. Local weather conditions also have a major effect on the TBE incidence. Warm and dry summers may cause low tick activities, rainy summers may lead to low exposure rates of human beings. Even changes in forms o","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 69-79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80011-1","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24522229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80030-5
Ulrike Schulte-Spechtel , Gisela Lehnert , Gaby Liegl , Volker Fingerle , Christiane Heimerl , Barbara Johnson , Bettina Wilske
{"title":"Significant improvement of the recombinant Borrelia IgG immunoblot for serodiagnosis of early neuroborreliosis","authors":"Ulrike Schulte-Spechtel , Gisela Lehnert , Gaby Liegl , Volker Fingerle , Christiane Heimerl , Barbara Johnson , Bettina Wilske","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80030-5","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80030-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 158-160"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80030-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24521433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80032-9
V. Fingerle, H. Michel, G. Hettche, C. Hizo-Teufel, B. Wilske
{"title":"Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. OspA-types are widespread in Bavaria but show distinct local patterns","authors":"V. Fingerle, H. Michel, G. Hettche, C. Hizo-Teufel, B. Wilske","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80032-9","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80032-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 165-166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80032-9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24521435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80029-9
Peter Kraiczy , Kristina Hartmann , Jens Hellwage , Christine Skerka , Michael Kirschfink , Volker Brade , Peter F. Zipfel , Reinhard Wallich , Brian Stevenson
Complement activation plays an important role in the elimination of invading microorganisms. Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis, can resist complement-mediated killing. The mechanism of complement resistance of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto apparently depends on the expression of several outer surface proteins described as CRASPs (complement regulator-acquiring surface proteins). These borrelial surface proteins are able to bind components of the complement regulatory system, factor H and/or factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), two crucial fluid-phase negative regulators of the alternative pathway of complement. It was previously demonstrated that one CRASP is encoded by a member of the erp gene family. The purpose of the study was to use a set of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal antisera to characterize the relatedness of factor H-binding CRASP and Erp proteins among several B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. afzelii strains. Based on the observed cross-reactivities between B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains LW2 and PKa-1, it is concluded that BbCRASP-3 is similar to ErpP, BbCRASP-4 is structurally related to ErpC, and BbCRASP-5 is similar to ErpA. The BaCRASP-2 and BaCRASP-4 proteins of B. afzelii strain EB1 reacted with both anti-ErpA and anti-ErpP antibodies whereas BaCRASP-5 of B. afzelii strain FEM1-D15 exclusively reacted with BbCRASP-3/ErpP specific antibodies. Together, these data indicate that most of the factor H-binding CRASPs are members of the Erp protein family, which represents a polymorphic class of proteins with similar or identical immunological reactivities.
{"title":"Immunological characterization of the complement regulator factor H-binding CRASP and Erp proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi","authors":"Peter Kraiczy , Kristina Hartmann , Jens Hellwage , Christine Skerka , Michael Kirschfink , Volker Brade , Peter F. Zipfel , Reinhard Wallich , Brian Stevenson","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80029-9","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80029-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Complement activation plays an important role in the elimination of invading microorganisms. <em>Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi</em> sensu lato the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis, can resist complement-mediated killing. The mechanism of complement resistance of <em>B. burgdorferi</em> sensu stricto apparently depends on the expression of several outer surface proteins described as CRASPs (complement regulator-acquiring surface proteins). These borrelial surface proteins are able to bind components of the complement regulatory system, factor H and/or factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), two crucial fluid-phase negative regulators of the alternative pathway of complement. It was previously demonstrated that one CRASP is encoded by a member of the <em>erp</em> gene family. The purpose of the study was to use a set of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal antisera to characterize the relatedness of factor H-binding CRASP and Erp proteins among several <em>B. burgdorferi</em> sensu stricto and <em>B. afzelii</em> strains. Based on the observed cross-reactivities between <em>B. burgdorferi</em> sensu stricto strains LW2 and PKa-1, it is concluded that BbCRASP-3 is similar to ErpP, BbCRASP-4 is structurally related to ErpC, and BbCRASP-5 is similar to ErpA. The BaCRASP-2 and BaCRASP-4 proteins of <em>B. afzelii</em> strain EB1 reacted with both anti-ErpA and anti-ErpP antibodies whereas BaCRASP-5 <em>of B. afzelii</em> strain FEM1-D15 exclusively reacted with BbCRASP-3/ErpP specific antibodies. Together, these data indicate that most of the factor H-binding CRASPs are members of the Erp protein family, which represents a polymorphic class of proteins with similar or identical immunological reactivities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 152-157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80029-9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24521432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80035-4
Kai E. Kisand , Meeme Utt , Kalle V. Kisand , Tiina Prükk , Raivo Uibo
Serological tests for Lyme disease are mostly not well standardized and cases of misinterpretation of test results by clinicians are rather common. The diagnostic value of serologic tests may also depend on the seroepidemiological situation of the population. The aim of the study was to compare the immunoblot pattern of Lyme borreliosis patients and control sera from endemic and non-endemic regions and to identify the most suitable interpretation criteria for our immunoblot test. Serum samples of 24 Estonian patients with Lyme disease, 12 sera from patients with tick-borne encephalitis, 40 Estonian control sera, and sera from 50 Laplanders from North Sweden where people usually never come into contact with ticks were tested for IgG antibodies to Borrelia. Sonicated lysate of Borrelia afzelii (strain ACA1) was used in immunoblot as source of antigens. In our test system the following interpretation criteria gave the specificity of 96% for Estonian population: ≥ 1 band from p58, p21, p17 and p14 plus ≥ 2 bands from p83/100, p39, p34, p30 and p25; or ≥ 4 bands from p83/100, p39, p34, p30 and p25. The comparison of Estonian controls with Laplanders showed that subclinical infections with Borrelia are rather common in Estonia. Also the rate of other infections, giving rise to cross-reactive antibodies, may be more frequent in Estonians. The frequent reactions with Borrelia antigens in a healthy population complicate the serodiagnosis of Lyme disease.
{"title":"Serological description of Estonian patients with Lyme disease, a comparison with control sera from endemic and non-endemic areas","authors":"Kai E. Kisand , Meeme Utt , Kalle V. Kisand , Tiina Prükk , Raivo Uibo","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80035-4","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80035-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Serological tests for Lyme disease are mostly not well standardized and cases of misinterpretation of test results by clinicians are rather common. The diagnostic value of serologic tests may also depend on the seroepidemiological situation of the population. The aim of the study was to compare the immunoblot pattern of Lyme borreliosis patients and control sera from endemic and non-endemic regions and to identify the most suitable interpretation criteria for our immunoblot test. Serum samples of 24 Estonian patients with Lyme disease, 12 sera from patients with tick-borne encephalitis, 40 Estonian control sera, and sera from 50 Laplanders from North Sweden where people usually never come into contact with ticks were tested for IgG antibodies to <em>Borrelia</em>. Sonicated lysate of <em>Borrelia afzelii</em> (strain ACA1) was used in immunoblot as source of antigens. In our test system the following interpretation criteria gave the specificity of 96% for Estonian population: ≥ 1 band from p58, p21, p17 and p14 plus ≥ 2 bands from p83/100, p39, p34, p30 and p25; or ≥ 4 bands from p83/100, p39, p34, p30 and p25. The comparison of Estonian controls with Laplanders showed that subclinical infections with <em>Borrelia</em> are rather common in Estonia. Also the rate of other infections, giving rise to cross-reactive antibodies, may be more frequent in Estonians. The frequent reactions with <em>Borrelia</em> antigens in a healthy population complicate the serodiagnosis of Lyme disease.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 174-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80035-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24521438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80027-5
{"title":"Lyme disease vaccine in the US and Europe: public and medial disputes discredit a well-founded and most successful protection strategy","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80027-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80027-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 146-147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80027-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138272980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-04-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80038-X
Dr. Jochen Süss (Head of the Scientific Organising Committee)
{"title":"Closing remarks","authors":"Dr. Jochen Süss (Head of the Scientific Organising Committee)","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80038-X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80038-X","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Page 189"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80038-X","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138272988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2004-03-01DOI: 10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80040-8
{"title":"Scientific program DGP, 21st Annual Meeting March 17th – 20th, 2004 in Würzburg","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80040-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80040-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100707,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology Supplements","volume":"293 ","pages":"Pages 3-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2004-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/S1433-1128(04)80040-8","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"137164758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}