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Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

ABSTRACT: Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreliosis), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted to humans by ticks. Exposure to Borrelia was identified by multi-antigenic (19 antigens) serological testing of patients: severe COVID-19 (hospitalized), asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 (home treated or not aware of being infected), and not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Increased levels of Borrelia-specific IgGs strongly correlated with COVID-19 severity and risk of hospitalization. This suggests that a history of tick bites and related infections may contribute to the risks in COVID-19. Though mechanisms of this link is not clear yet, screening for antibodies targeting Borrelia may help accurately assess the odds of hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, supporting efforts for efficient control of COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Szewczyk-Dabrowska A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9509370 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

Szewczyk-Dąbrowska Alina A Budziar Wiktoria W Harhala Marek M Baniecki Krzysztof K Pikies Aleksandra A Jędruchniewicz Natalia N Kaźmierczak Zuzanna Z Gembara Katarzyna K Klimek Tomasz T Witkiewicz Wojciech W Nahorecki Artur A Barczyk Kamil K Kłak Marlena M Grata-Borkowska Urszula U Dąbrowska Krystyna K

Scientific reports 20220924 1

Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreliosis), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted to humans by ticks. Exposure to Borrelia was identified by multi-antigenic (19 antigens) serological testing of patients: severe COVID-19 (hospitalized), asymp ...[more]

PMID: 36153350

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Project description:BackgroundWithout an adequate immune response, SARS-CoV2 virus can simply spread throughout the body of the host. Two of the well-known immunonutrients are selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Se and Zn deficiency might lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and viral entry into the cells by decreasing ACE-2 expression; three factors that are proposed to be involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Thus, in the current study we aimed at evaluating the correlation between serum Se and Zn status and COVID-19 severity.MethodsEighty-four COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this observational study. Patients were diagnosed based on an infectious disease specialist diagnosis, using WHO interim guidance and the recommendations of the Iranian National Committee of Covid-19. The patients with acute respiratory tract infection symptoms were checked for compatibility of chest computed tomography (CT) scan results with that of Covid-19 and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for corona virus infection. The severity of Covid-19 was categorized into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) using CDC criteria. Serum Zn and Se level of all subjects was measured. The severity of the disease was determined only once at the onset of disease.ResultsAccording to the results of linear regression test, there was a significant association between Zn and Se level and COVID-19 severity (β = - 0.28, P-value = 0.01 for Se; β = - 0.26, P-value = 0.02). However the significance disappeared after adjusting for confounding factors. Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative association between serum Zn, Se and CRP level (r = - 0.35, P-value = 0.001 for Se; r = - 0.41, P-value < 0.001 for Zn).ConclusionResults suggest that increasing levels of Se and Zn were accompanied by a decrease in serum CRP level. However, the significant association between Se, Zn, and disease severity was lost after adjusting for confounding factors.

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Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

Publications

Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

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