2014. Hepatic tissue changes in rats due to chronic invasion of Babesia microti. Folia Biologica (Kraków) $ : 353-359. The etiological agents of babesiosis are intraerythrocytic parasites of the genus Babesia, which are transmitted by ticks. The course of disease is characterized by variable severity. The risk of a complicated course of babesiosis occurs in premature infants, the elderly, splenectomized patients and other immunocompromised patients. Severe cases of this disease can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. The study focuses on the impact assessment of chronic Babesia microti invasion on the morphology and ultrastructure of rat liver. The analyzed material was comprised of liver samples collected from Wistar rats infected with a reference strain of B. microti (ATCC 30221). None of the livers collected from rats with babesiosis was enlarged. The histopathological analyses showed signs of intensive inflammatory processes, especially in the perivascular areas. The hepatic mononuclear phagocyte system was characterized by increased activity. The ultrastructral analyses confirmed disintegration of hepatocytes with vacuolization in the perivascular areas. In addition, the perisinusoidal space (space of Disse) had irregular structure. In some areas, the space of Disse was enlarged or compressed. The morphological and ultrastructural analyses of rat liver with chronic babesiosis caused by B. microti showed significant pathological changes in perivascular areas which may be the cause of hepatic dysfunction.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have become a popular topic in many medical journals. Besides the obvious participation of ticks in the transmission of pathogens that cause TBD, little is written about alternative methods of their spread. An important role is played in this process by mammals, which serve as reservoirs. Transplacental transfer also plays important role in the spread of some TBD etiological agents. Reservoir species take part in the spread of pathogens, a phenomenon that has extreme importance in synanthropic environments. Animals that accompany humans and animals migrating from wild lands to urban areas increase the probability of pathogen infections by ticks This article provides an overview of TBDs, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and TBDs caused by spirochetes, α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, and Apicomplexa, with particular attention to reports about their potential to cross the maternal placenta. For each disease, the method of propagation, symptoms of acute and chronic phase, and complications of their course in adults, children, and animals are described in detail. Additional information about transplacental transfer of these pathogens, effects of congenital diseases caused by them, and the possible effects of maternal infection to the fetus are also discussed. The problem of vertical transmission of pathogens presents a new challenge for medicine. Transfer of pathogens through the placenta may lead not only to propagation of diseases in the population, but also constitute a direct threat to health and fetal development. For this reason, the problem of vertical transmission requires more attention and an estimation of the impact of placental transfer for each of listed pathogens.

The course of babesiosis in humans is characterized by various intensity levels − from a subclinical level to the severe one − associated with multiple organ failure, which leads to death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 21-day and 6-month invasion of B. microti on Wistar rats spleen. Histological changes in the rats' spleen were characterized by swelling of splenic tissue, especially the tissue adjacent to the capsule. In the structure of the white pulp in some rats, high concentrations of lymphocytes occurred. The boundary between the white pulp and red pulp was blurred. In the red pulp structure of rats, a lot of macrophages and extracellular deposits of bilirubin were present. The submicroscopic studies showed that the nuclear matrix was slightly shrunken. In the red pulp fragments of the damaged cells were located in the intercellular spaces. Near these areas, many thrombocytes were visible. The ultrastructural observation also revealed thickened endoplasmic reticulum membranes, local cellular swelling filled with amorphous substance, and digested erythrocytes. B. microti invasion affects the splenic morphology and ultrastructure in rats. The immunological hyperactivity and signs of inflammation indicate an important role of spleen in a fight against parasites.

Introduction: Adalimumab and etanercept are drugs used in anti-TNF therapy in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Despite the molecular targeting of these drugs, the loss of pharmacological response to treatment is observed in patients. The development of personalized medicine makes it possible to use not only clinical parameters of disease severity, but also molecular marker systems. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 expression in relation to parameters of disease severity (PASI, BSA, DAS28) in patients treated with adalimumab and etanercept. We have attempted to determine whether changes in the TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 expression profile may be a useful molecular marker of the therapeutic potential of anti-TNF drugs. Material and methods:The study group consisted of 3 patients initially treated with adalimumab, followed by etanercept. The control group included 20 healthy volunteers. The expression profile of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was determined at the mRNA level, while TNF-α expression was evaluated at the transcriptome and proteome levels using the RT-qPCR method (transcriptional activity assay) and MALDI-TOF MS (protein level assessment). Results: Depending on the drug, different expression profiles of the studied cytokines are observed. Conclusions: The obtained data indicate that TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2 may be useful markers of the efficacy of anti-TNF therapy, thus complementing clinical parameters.

No abstract