BACKGROUND: Borrelia burgdorferi causes a wide range of neurologic syndromes. In Europe, acute meningoradiculitis is the most common manifestation. OBJECTIVE: To address the nature of the immune response during the course of B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis, with special respect to the early and late changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). METHODS: Serial immunophenotyping was performed and cytokine measurements were obtained in the peripheral blood and CSF of 12 European patients with definite B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis. RESULTS: Early during infection and before initiation of treatment, we observed high levels of interleukin (IL) 10, IL-6, and IL-8, and large numbers of B cells and plasma cells in the CSF of most patients. At the same time, we found a mainly unspecific intrathecal antibody synthesis. During resolution of the infection, cytokine levels normalized rapidly and plasma cells disappeared from the CSF. In parallel, the percentage of B cells in the CSF increased over several months, accompanied by rising levels of intrathecally produced B burgdorferi-specific antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the early phase of B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis is characterized by a well-coordinated immune response involving specific cytokine release and plasma cell recruitment, followed by a long-lasting, antigen-specific B-cell response in the central nervous system.
BACKGROUND:Borrelia burgdorferi causes a wide range of neurologic syndromes. In Europe, acute meningoradiculitis is the most common manifestation. OBJECTIVE: To address the nature of the immune response during the course of B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis, with special respect to the early and late changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). METHODS: Serial immunophenotyping was performed and cytokine measurements were obtained in the peripheral blood and CSF of 12 European patients with definite B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis. RESULTS: Early during infection and before initiation of treatment, we observed high levels of interleukin (IL) 10, IL-6, and IL-8, and large numbers of B cells and plasma cells in the CSF of most patients. At the same time, we found a mainly unspecific intrathecal antibody synthesis. During resolution of the infection, cytokine levels normalized rapidly and plasma cells disappeared from the CSF. In parallel, the percentage of B cells in the CSF increased over several months, accompanied by rising levels of intrathecally produced B burgdorferi-specific antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the early phase of B burgdorferi meningoradiculitis is characterized by a well-coordinated immune response involving specific cytokine release and plasma cell recruitment, followed by a long-lasting, antigen-specific B-cell response in the central nervous system.
Authors: Meghan L Marre; Courtney T Darcy; Janeth Yinh; Shizuo Akira; Satoshi Uematsu; Allen C Steere; Linden T Hu Journal: Infect Immun Date: 2010-10-04 Impact factor: 3.441
Authors: Aarti Gautam; Saurabh Dixit; Mario T Philipp; Shree R Singh; Lisa A Morici; Deepak Kaushal; Vida A Dennis Journal: Infect Immun Date: 2011-09-26 Impact factor: 3.441
Authors: Geeta Ramesh; Juan T Borda; Amy Gill; Erin P Ribka; Lisa A Morici; Peter Mottram; Dale S Martin; Mary B Jacobs; Peter J Didier; Mario T Philipp Journal: J Neuroinflammation Date: 2009-08-25 Impact factor: 9.587