Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing at an alarming rate and many commonly used antibiotics are no longer effective.Thus, there is considerable interest in investigating novel antibacterial compounds, such as the plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoids, including oleanolic acid (OA), ursolic acid (UA) and their derivatives. These compounds can be isolated from many medicinal and crop plants and their antibacterial, antiviral, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory effects are well documented. OA and UA are active against many bacterial species, particularly Gram-positive species, including mycobacteria. They inhibit bacterial growth and survival, and the spectrum of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values is very broad. In addition, OA, UA and their derivatives display potent antimutagenic activity. Studies to identify the cellular targets and molecular mechanisms of OA and UA action were initiated a few years ago and it has already been demonstrated that both acids influence bacterial gene expression, the formation and maintenance of biofilms, cell autolysis and peptidoglycan turnover. Before these compounds can be used clinically as antimicrobial agents, further extensive studies are required to determine their cytotoxicity and the optimum mode of their application.

Using the ELISA in the diagnosis of leptospirosis allowed the disease to be identified much faster, differentiating classes of antibodies and recognizing levels of them that are too low to be detectable by the MAT.

Background Clinical manifestations in infection caused by B. miyamotoi can mimick highly variable symptoms of Lyme disease. The aim of our studies was to detect DNA of B. miyamotoi spirochetes in clinical materials from patients suspected of neuroborreliosis(retrospectively).Methods Samples of blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid were collected from 133 patients with clinical manifestations of neuroborreliosis. Diagnosis was established by detection of IgM and / or IgG specific antibodies to B. burgdorferi with ELISA in both sera and CSF. Specificity of positive ELISA results in sera were confirmed with Western-blot test. Bacterial DNA from the collected material was extracted, amplified and sequenced.Results Among 133 patients with clinical manifestations of neuroborreliosis recognized in the years 2010-2018., DNA of B. miyamotoi was detected in CSF from 1 (0.8%) patient with extraocular optic neuritis of the left eye (GenBank accession No. MK674170 and MK674171).Conclusion Detection of B. miyamotoi in patients with central nervous system infections, will allow a better understanding of the epidemiology of infections caused by Borrelia sp. spirochetes. Patients with neurological symptoms and questionable serological findings are a serious diagnostic problem, due to failure to meet the criteria for neuroboreliosis. This indicates the need for further studies of patients with signs of CNS infection.

A confirmed case of rickettsiosis acquired in South Africa and recognized in Poland was described. The patient fulfilled clinical criteria highly suggestive of African tick bite fever, such as eschars, regional lymphadenitis, cutaneous rash within 10 days after his return from sub-Saharan Africa. Infection with Rickettsia africae was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing.

Chmielewski T, Kuśmierczyk M, Fiecek B. Tick-borne pathogens Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. may trigger endocarditis. AbstractBackground. Infections caused by tick-borne pathogens such as Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia spp. are capable of causing serious lesions of the mitral and aortic valves, leading to a need for valve replacement.Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine whether such cases are sporadic or frequent. An additional goal was to establish effective diagnostic methods to detect these infections.Material and methods. The study involved 148 patients undergoing valve replacement. Blood samples were drawn for serological testing. Samples of the removed mitral and aortic valves were tested with polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining.Results. Specific antibodies to Bartonella spp. were detected in 47 patients (31.7%) and in 1 of the healthy controls (1%) (p < 0.05). Antibodies to B. burgdorferi spirochetes were found in 18 of the patients (12.2%) and in 6 blood donors from the control group (5.8%) (p < 0. 1). Antibodies to Rickettsia spp. were detected in 12 (8. 1%) and to C. burnetii phase I and II antigens in the serum of 1 patient. All the participants in the control group were seronegative to C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. antigens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for detection of Bartonella spp., B. burgdorferi s.l., C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. DNA in the valve samples were all negative. Inflammation foci with mononuclear lymphoid cells in the aortic and mitral valves were seen in sections stained with hematoxiline and eozine. In sections dyed using the indirect immunofluorescence method with hyperimmune sera, Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. were found. Conclusions.The results obtained indicate that laboratory diagnostics for patients with heart disorders should be expanded to include tests detecting tick-borne zoonoses such as bartonelloses, Lyme borreliosis, rickettsioses and Q fever.