Background/Objectives: This retrospective study analyzed soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) plasma levels alongside routine inflammatory markers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and D-dimers in COVID-19 patients hospitalized during the Omicron wave of the pandemic. Methods: We measured plasma suPAR levels using a suPARnostic® Quick Triage kit. We divided COVID-19 patients into two groups based on the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria. The logistic regression analysis tested the predictive value of the biomarkers. Results: We evaluated 160 consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January and August 2022. The cohort exhibited a high incidence of comorbidities, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 5.6%. Upon admission, the median suPAR plasma levels were not significantly different between patients with mild COVID-19 (n = 110) and those with moderate/severe disease (n = 50), with 7.25 ng/mL and 7.55 ng/mL, respectively. We observed significant differences (p < 0.01) between the groups for CRP and IL-6 levels that were higher in moderate/severe disease than in mild infection. Additionally, suPAR plasma levels were above the normal range (0-2.00 ng/mL) in all patients, with a significant positive correlation identified between suPAR levels and serum IL-6, PCT, and creatinine levels. Conclusions: These findings indicate that COVID-19 during the Omicron wave is strongly associated with elevated suPAR levels; however, these levels do not directly correlate with the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Although vaccines against COVID-19 are effective tools in preventing severe disease, recent studies have shown enhanced protection after vaccine boosters. The aim of our study was to examine the dynamics and duration of both humoral and cellular immune responses following a three-dose regimen of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. In a longitudinal prospective study we enrolled 86 adults who received the BNT162b2 vaccine, 35 unvaccinated individuals with a history of mild COVID-19 and a control group of 30 healthy SARS-CoV-2 seronegative persons. We assessed the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses and IgG production up to 12 months post the third BNT162b2 dose in 24 subjects. The vaccinated group had significantly higher IgG antibody levels after two doses compared to the convalescent group (p<0.001). After the third dose, IgG levels surged beyond those detected after the second dose (p<0.001). Notably, these elevated IgG levels were maintained 12 months post the third dose. After two doses, specific T cell responses were detected in 87.5% of the vaccinated group. Additionally, there was a significant decrease before the third dose. However, post the third dose, specific T cell responses surged and remained stable up to the 12-month period. Our findings indicate that the BNT162b2 vaccine induces potent and enduring humoral and cellular responses, which are notably enhanced by the third dose and remain persistant without a significant decline a year after the booster. Further research is essential to understand the potential need for subsequent boosters.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- imunita MeSH
- imunoglobulin G MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- messenger RNA MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- vakcína BNT162 MeSH
- vakcinace MeSH
- vakcíny proti COVID-19 MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Dysregulated systemic immune responses during infectious spondylodiscitis (IS) may impair microbial clearance and bone resorption. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine whether circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) are elevated during IS and whether their frequency is associated with alterations in T cells and the presence of markers of bone resorption in the blood. A total of 19 patients hospitalized with IS were enrolled in this prospective study. Blood specimens were obtained during hospitalization and 6 weeks and 3 months after discharge. Flow cytometric analysis of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets, the percentage of Tregs and serum levels of collagen type I fragments (S-CrossLap) were performed. Out of 19 enrolled patients with IS, microbial etiology was confirmed in 15 (78.9%) patients. All patients were treated with antibiotics for a median of 42 days, and no therapy failure was observed. Next, a significant serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP) decrease during the follow-up was observed, whereas the frequencies of Tregs remained higher than those of controls at all-time points (p < 0.001). In addition, Tregs demonstrated a weak negative correlation with S-CRP and S-CrossLap levels were within the norm at all-time points. Circulating Tregs were elevated in patients with IS and this elevation persisted even after the completion of antibiotic therapy. Moreover, this elevation was not associated with treatment failure, altered T cells, or increased markers of bone resorption.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky terapeutické užití metabolismus MeSH
- biologické markery metabolismus MeSH
- discitida * diagnóza farmakoterapie metabolismus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- regulační T-lymfocyty * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is one of the most frequent bloodstream infections. High mortality of SAB can be significantly reduced by regular infectious disease (ID) consultations and appropriate clinical management. Because the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a negative impact on hospital ID service, it can be assumed that it has also led to decreased quality of care for SAB patients. METHODS: This study enrolled all (n = 68) patients with proven SAB who were hospitalized in Military University Hospital, Prague, in 2019 and 2020 and the quality of care indicators for SAB patients were compared. RESULTS: A total of 33 and 35 patients with SAB were hospitalized in our hospital in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The significant difference between the pandemic year 2020 and year 2019 was in ID consultations performed (74% vs. 100%; p = 0.002) and fulfilment of all quality of care indicators (66% vs. 93%; p = 0.012). Next, higher in-hospital mortality was observed in 2020 than in 2019 (6% vs. 23%; p = 0.085). There was no significant difference in the percentages of patients with performed echocardiographic examinations (66% vs. 83%; p = 0.156) and collected follow-up blood cultures (85% vs. 94%; p = 0.428). In addition, there was no difference between the two years in the adequate antibiotic therapy, sources, and bacterial origin of SAB. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of care of SAB patients significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in our institution.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- bakteriemie * farmakoterapie epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pandemie MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- stafylokokové infekce * farmakoterapie epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- Staphylococcus aureus MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Bakteriémie vyvolaná Staphylococcus aureus (SAB) je velmi závažnou a často fatální infekcí s vysokou incidencí a letalitou. Při zjištění SAB je velmi důležité dodržet správný vyšetřovací a léčebný postup. Z hlediska správného managementu SAB je zásadní odhalit primární zdroj infekce, kterým může být infekce kůže a měkkých tkání, katétrová infekce, infekční endokarditida, osteomyelitida, pneumonie či absces s hematogenním šířením. Po zjištění SAB je pak klíčové určit správný vyšetřovací a léčebný postup v těsné spolupráci s infektologem, klinickým mikrobiologem a klinickým farmaceutem.
Staphylococcus aureus (SAB) bacteremia is very serious and often fatal infection with the high incidence and lethality. Diagnosis of SAB must be followed by an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic process. From the point of view of proper SAB management, it is essential to find the primary source of infection, which can be skin and soft tissue infections, catheter infections, infectious endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia or abscesses with hematogenous spread. After the SAB has been identified, it is crucial to determine the appropriate examination and treatment procedure in close collaboration with an infectious disease specialist, clinical microbiologist and clinical pharmacist.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- bakteriemie * diagnóza epidemiologie farmakoterapie MeSH
- kvalita zdravotní péče MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- stafylokokové infekce diagnóza epidemiologie farmakoterapie MeSH
- Staphylococcus aureus * patogenita účinky léků MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with altered cell-mediated immune response. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize functional alterations in CD4+ T cell subsets and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methodology. The expression levels of the lineage-defining transcriptional factors (TFs) T-bet, Gata3, Rorγt, and Foxp3 in circulating CD4+ T cells and percentages of MDSCs in peripheral blood were evaluated in 33 patients with CHC, 31 persons, who had spontaneously cleared the HCV infection, and 30 healthy subjects. Analysis. The CD4+ T cells TFs T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells), Foxp3 (Forkhead box P3 transcription factor), Gata3 (Gata-binding protein 3), and Rorγt (retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor gamma) and activation of CD8+ T cells, as well as percentages of MDSCs, were measured by multicolor flow cytometry after intracellular and surface staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with fluorescent monoclonal antibodies. Result: The patients with CHC had significantly lower percentages of CD4+ T cells expressing Rorγt and Gata3 and higher percentages of Foxp3-expressing CD4+ T cells than healthy controls and persons who spontaneously cleared HCV infection. The ratios of T-bet+/Gata3+ and Foxp3+/Rorγt+ CD4+ T cells were the highest in the patients with CHC. In the patients with CHC, the percentages of Gata3+ and Rorγt+ CD4+ T cells and the percentages of T-bet+ CD4+ T cells and CD38+/HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells demonstrated significant positive correlations. In addition, the percentage of CD38+/HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells correlated negatively with the percentage of MDSCs. Conclusion: Chronic HCV infection is associated with downregulation of TFs Gata3 and Rorγt polarizing CD4+ T cells into Th2 and Th17 phenotypes together with upregulation of Foxp3 responsible for induction of regulatory T cells suppressing immune response.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Cíl studie: posouzení využitelnosti sérového kalprotektinu jako biomarkeru bakteriální infekce v rutinní praxi. Typ studie: prospektivní, observační studie. Název a sídlo pracoviště: Ústřední vojenská nemocnice – Vojenská fakultní nemocnice Praha Materiál a metody: do studie byli zařazeni všichni pacienti přijatí na Kliniku infekčních nemocí v období leden až březen 2020. Sérový kalprotektin byl stanoven pomocí systému EVOLIS™ Microplate a komerčně dostupné enzymoimunoeseje firmy Biovendor. Výsledky: celkem byla vyhodnocena data 36 nemocných (24 mužů a 12 žen s průměrným věkem 63,9 let), u kterých byla potvrzena diagnóza virové nebo bakteriální infekce. Nejčastějším zdrojem bakteriální infekce byly dýchací cesty (33,3 %), následované měkkými tkáněmi (25 %) a infekcemi urogenitálního a gastrointestinálního traktu (shodně 16,7 %). Virovou infekci nejčastěji představovala chřipka A (66,6 %). Medián sérové koncentrace kalprotektinu u bakteriální infekce byl 4,12 mg/L oproti 2,03 mg/L při infekci virové. U 12 nemocných s bakteriální infekcí a zvýšeným C-reaktivním proteinem (CRP), u kterých nebyl zvýšen prokalcitonin (PCT), byla zjištěna zvýšená hodnota sérového kalprotektinu. Naopak u osmi nemocných s potvrzenou bakteriální infekcí nebyl kalprotektin zvýšen, čtyři z těchto pacientů měli současně s CRP zvýšený i PCT a čtyři nemocní měli zvýšené pouze CRP. V souboru byl rovněž případ bakteriální infekce se zvýšeným kalprotektinem a negativním CRP i PCT. Závěr: výsledky naší studie naznačily význam sérového kalprotektinu jako doplňkového parametru pro diagnostiku bakteriální infekce.
Objective: evaluation of clinical use of serum calprotectin as biomarker of bacterial infection Design: prospective, observational study Settings: Military University Hospital Prague Material and Methods: all patients admitted to the Department of infectious Diseases during the period between January and March 2020 were enrolled to the study. Serum calprotectin was analyzed using EVOLIS™ Microplate system and commercially available assay from the Biovendor company. Results: Altogether, data of 36 enrolled patients with proven bacterial or viral infection (24 males and 12 females with mean age 63.9 years) were evaluated. The most frequent source of bacterial infection was respiratory tract (33.3 %) followed by soft tissue (25 %) and infections of urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts (both 16.7 %). The most common viral infection was flu A (66.6 %). Median of calprotectin serum concentration in bacterial infection was 4.12 mg/L in comparison to 2.03 mg/L in viral infection. In 12 patients with bacterial infection with negative procalcitonin (PCT) levels, both C-reactive protein (CRP) and calprotectin were elevated. On the other hand, eight patients with proven bacterial infection had negative calprotectin serum levels. Four of these patients had elevated CRP and PCT and four CRP only. In addition, in the cohort with bacterial infection, there was one patient with calprotectin elevation only. Conclusion: the results of our study indicated serum calprotectin as additional parameter of bacterial infection.
Objectives: Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is controlled by HSV-specific T cells in the genital tract, and the role of systemic T cell responses is not fully understood. Thus, we analysed T cell responses in patients with recurrent genital herpes (GH). Methods: T cell responses to HSV-1 and HSV-2 native antigens and the expression of HLA-DR and CD38 molecules on circulating CD8+ T cells were analysed in adults with high frequency of GH recurrences (19 patients) and low frequency of GH recurrences (7 patients) and 12 HSV-2 seronegative healthy controls. The study utilized the interferon-γ Elispot assay for measurement of spot-forming cells (SFC) after ex vivo stimulation with HSV antigens and flow cytometry for analysis of the expression of activation markers in unstimulated T cells. Results: The patients with high frequency of GH recurrences (mean number of recurrences of 13.3 per year) had significantly enhanced HSV-specific T cell responses than the HSV-2 seronegative healthy controls. Moreover, a trend of higher numbers of SFC was observed in these patients when compared with those with low frequency of GH recurrences (mean number of recurrences of 3.3 per year). Additionally, no differences in CD38 and HLA-DR expression on circulating CD8+ T cells were found among the study groups. Conclusions: Frequency of GH recurrences positively correlates with high numbers of systemic HSV-specific T cells.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of calprotectin and calgranulin C and routine biomarkers in patients with bacterial sepsis (BS). The initial serum concentrations of calprotectin and calgranulin C were significantly higher in patients with BS (n = 66) than in those with viral infections (n = 24) and the healthy controls (n = 26); the level of calprotectin was found to be the best predictor of BS, followed by the neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) and the level of procalcitonin (PCT). The white blood cell (WBC) count and the NLCR rapidly returned to normal levels, whereas PCT levels normalized later and the increased levels of calprotectin, calgranulin C, and C-reactive protein persisted until the end of follow-up. Our results suggest that the serum levels of calprotectin are a reliable biomarker of BS and that the WBC count and the NLCR are rapid predictors of the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy.
- MeSH
- bakteriální infekce krev diagnóza MeSH
- biologické markery krev MeSH
- C-reaktivní protein analýza MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kinetika MeSH
- leukocytární L1-antigenní komplex krev MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neutrofily cytologie MeSH
- počet leukocytů MeSH
- počet lymfocytů MeSH
- protein S100A12 krev MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- sepse krev diagnóza MeSH
- virové nemoci krev diagnóza MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Pancreatic tumors and their surgical resection are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and the biomarkers currently used for these conditions have limited sensitivity and specificity. Because calprotectin and calgranulin C serum levels have been demonstrated to be potential biomarkers of certain cancers and complications of major surgery, the levels of both proteins were tested in the current study in patients with benign and malignant pancreatic tumors that were surgically removed. The baseline serum levels and kinetics of calprotectin and calgranulin C during the 7-day postoperative period were evaluated with immunoassays in 98 adult patients who underwent pancreatic surgery. The baseline serum levels of calprotectin and calgranulin C in patients with malignant (n = 84) and benign tumors (n = 14) were significantly higher (p < 0.01) when compared to those in the healthy controls (n = 26). The serum levels of both proteins were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in patients with benign tumors than in those with malignant tumors. After surgery, the serum levels of calprotectin and calgranulin C were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than their baseline values, and this elevation persisted throughout the seven days of the follow-up period. Interestingly, starting on day 1 of the postoperative period, the serum levels of both proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the 37 patients who developed postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) than in the patients who had uneventful recoveries (n = 61). Moreover, the serum levels of calprotectin and calgranulin C demonstrated a significant predictive value for the development of POPF; the predictive values of these two proteins were better than those of the serum level of C-reactive protein and the white blood cell count. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that calprotectin and calgranulin C serum levels are potential biomarkers for pancreatic tumors, surgical injury to the pancreatic tissue and the development of POPFs.
- MeSH
- biologické markery krev MeSH
- C-reaktivní protein MeSH
- leukocytární L1-antigenní komplex krev MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory slinivky břišní chirurgie MeSH
- pooperační období MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- protein S100A12 krev MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
