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Stemberger Marić L, Nikčević A, Bodulić K, Tešović G. Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Severe Community-Acquired Clostridium Difficile Infection in Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2024:00006454-990000000-00845. [PMID: 38709985 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Although children most frequently suffer from milder forms of community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection, severe cases and fatal outcomes have been recorded. In this study we identified older children (>12 years of age) and patients who had surgery up to 6 months before Clostridium difficile infection onset as a subgroup at somewhat higher risk for severe community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Stemberger Marić
- From the Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević"
- Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrea Nikčević
- From the Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević"
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- From the Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević"
| | - Goran Tešović
- From the Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević"
- Department for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Radmanić L, Šimičić P, Bodulić K, Vince A, Zidovec-Lepej S. Antiviral treatment significantly reduces the levels of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in chronic hepatitis C. Cytokine 2024; 176:156529. [PMID: 38335772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to elucidate the changes in the immune response during antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C, with an emphasis on the chemokine dynamics and their association with liver fibrosis. Serum concentrations of 12 chemokines. (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL11, CCL17, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11) were measured in 32 patients with chronic hepatitis C before direct-acting antiviral treatment and after sustained virological response using bead-based flow cytometry. Chemokine levels were also measured in 14 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. Concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and CCL20 were significantly higher in chronic hepatitis C patients before direct-acting antiviral treatment compared to healthy individuals. We also observed a significant reduction in CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 levels after sustained virological response. Furthermore, we demonstrated a strong positive correlation between CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 levels before antiviral treatment. When considering liver fibrosis, we found significantly higher levels of CXCL10 and lower levels of CCL17 and CXCL5 in pre-treatment patients with severe fibrosis. None of the analysed chemokines were able to predict METAVIR fibrosis score reduction after sustained virological response. The results of this study emphasize the importance of proinflammatory pathways in liver fibrosis immunopathology during chronic hepatitis C. Finally, our results also characterized CXCL10 as the chemokine which most accurately distinguished pre-treatment CHC patients and healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leona Radmanić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Šimičić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snjezana Zidovec-Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Zidovec-Lepej S, Bodulić K, Bogdanic M, Gorenec L, Savic V, Grgic I, Sabadi D, Santini M, Radmanic Matotek L, Kucinar J, Barbic L, Zmak L, Ferenc T, Stevanovic V, Antolasic L, Milasincic L, Hruskar Z, Vujica Ferenc M, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Proinflammatory Chemokine Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neuroinvasive Flavivirus Infections. Microorganisms 2024; 12:657. [PMID: 38674602 PMCID: PMC11052399 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are the most important neuroinvasive arboviruses detected in Europe. In this study, we analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of 12 proinflammatory chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL11, CCL17, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) in 77 patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NIDs). Flavivirus infection was confirmed in 62 patients (TBEV and WNV in 31 patients each), while in 15 patients the etiology of NID was not determined (NDE). Similar patterns of high-level expression of chemokines regulating monocyte/macrophage responses (CCL2), neutrophil recruitment (CXCL1 and CXCL8), and interferon-inducible chemoattractants for leukocytes (CXCL10 and CXCL11) have been observed in WNV and TBEV groups. None of the tested chemokines significantly differed between patients with TBEV or WNV. Concentrations of CCL17, CCL20, CXCL5, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were significantly lower in both WNV and TBEV groups compared to NID NDE patients. The logistic regression model showed that CSF concentrations of CXCL11, CXCL5, and CXCL10 could potentially be used for the classification of patients into the WNV or TBEV group versus groups with other NIDs. This study identified, for the first time, similar patterns of CSF chemokine expression in WNV and TBEV infections, suggesting common immunopathogenic mechanisms in neuroinvasive flavivirus infections that should be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snjezana Zidovec-Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.-L.); (L.G.); (I.G.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.A.); (L.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Lana Gorenec
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.-L.); (L.G.); (I.G.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivana Grgic
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.-L.); (L.G.); (I.G.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Dario Sabadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marija Santini
- Department for Infections in Immunocompromised Patients, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Leona Radmanic Matotek
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.-L.); (L.G.); (I.G.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Jasmina Kucinar
- Department of Serology and Immunology, Istria County Institute of Public Health, 52100 Pula, Croatia;
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.)
| | - Ljiljana Zmak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Microbiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Thomas Ferenc
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.)
| | - Ljiljana Antolasic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.A.); (L.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Ljiljana Milasincic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.A.); (L.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zeljka Hruskar
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.A.); (L.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Mateja Vujica Ferenc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (L.A.); (L.M.); (Z.H.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Cvetko Krajinović L, Bodulić K, Laškaj R, Žibrat B, Svoboda Karić P, Kurolt IC, Kordun M, Topić A, Čivljak R, Skuhala T, Markotić A. Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Patients Exhibit Increased Levels of Lipocalin-2, Endothelin-1 and NT-proBNP. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2189. [PMID: 38004329 PMCID: PMC10672301 DOI: 10.3390/life13112189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute zoonotic disease caused by viruses of the Orthohantavirus genus. This syndrome is characterized by renal and cardiopulmonary implications detectable with different biomarkers. Here, we explored the role of serum and urine levels of lipocalin-2, endothelin-1 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in HFRS pathology. A total of twenty-eight patients hospitalized due to a Puumala orthohantavirus infection were included, with serum and urine samples collected on patient admission (acute phase) and discharge (convalescent phase). In comparison to healthy individuals, patients exhibited significantly higher acute-phase serum and urine levels of lipocalin-2, serum levels of endothelin-1 and serum and urine levels of NT-proBNP. Patients in the convalescent phase showed a significant decrease in urine lipocalin-2, serum endothelin-1 and serum and urine NT-proBNP levels. We recorded a strong correlation between serum levels of lipocalin-2 and endothelin-1 and urine levels of lipocalin-2 with several kidney injury markers, such as serum creatinine, urea, urine white blood cell count and proteinuria. We also demonstrated an independent correlation of serum and urine lipocalin-2 levels with acute kidney injury in HFRS. All in all, our results show an involvement of NT-proBNP, lipocalin-2 and endothelin-1 in the renal and cardiac pathology of HFRS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Renata Laškaj
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branka Žibrat
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Svoboda Karić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan-Christian Kurolt
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mihaela Kordun
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antea Topić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Rok Čivljak
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislava Skuhala
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alemka Markotić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Zidovec-Lepej S, Batovic M, Rozman M, Bodulić K, Prtorić L, Šokota A, Nikcevic A, Simicic P, Tešović G. Distribution of Epstein-Barr Virus LMP1 Variants in Patients with Infectious Mononucleosis and Association with Selected Biochemical and Hematological Parameters. Pathogens 2023; 12:915. [PMID: 37513762 PMCID: PMC10384830 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular diversity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is exceptionally complex and based on the characterization of sequences coding for several viral genes. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of EBV types 1 and 2 and to characterize LMP1 variants in a cohort of 73 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM), as well as to investigate a possible association between viral diversity and relevant clinical parameters. Population-based sequencing of EBNA-2 gene showed the presence of EBV type 1 in all IM patients. Analysis of LMP1 gene found a restricted repertoire of LMP1 variants with the predominance of wild-type B95-8, China1, Mediterranean and North Carolina variants with the presence of more than one LMP1 variant in 16.4% of patients. Co-infections with different LMP1 variants were associated with significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein and lower levels of maximal neutrophil counts and minimal platelet count. The results of this study have shown a narrow repertoire of LMP1 variants and an exclusive presence of EBV type 1 in a cohort of IM from Croatia, suggesting a characteristic local molecular pattern of this virus. The clinical importance of distinct immunobiological features of IM patients with LMP1 variant co-infections needs to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snjezana Zidovec-Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Margarita Batovic
- Department of Medical and Laboratory Genetics, Children's Hospital Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Rozman
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Laura Prtorić
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ante Šokota
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrea Nikcevic
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Simicic
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Tešović
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Šašić M, Bodulić K, Hojsak I, Mašić M, Trivić I, Markić J, Batinić M, Bartulović I, Šurina A, Krajcar N, Tešović G. Parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Croat Med J 2023; 64:52-60. [PMID: 36864819 PMCID: PMC10028565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia. METHODS In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we collected data from four tertiary care facilities in Zagreb, Split, and Osijek between December 2021 and February 2022. During the visit to the Pediatric Emergency Departments, parents were asked to fill out a highly-structured questionnaire about their attitudes toward COVID-19 immunization in children. RESULTS The sample consisted of 872 respondents. A total of 46.3% of respondents were hesitant about vaccinating their child against COVID-19, 35.2% definitely did not intend to vaccinate their child, and 18.5% definitely intended to vaccinate their child. Parents who were themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 were more likely than unvaccinated parents (29.2% and 3.2%, P<0.001) to vaccinate their children. Parents agreeing with the epidemiological guidelines were more inclined to vaccinate their children, as were parents of older children and parents of children vaccinated according to the national program schedule. Child comorbidities and respondents' history of COVID-19 were not associated with childhood vaccination intention. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that the most important predictors for a positive parents' attitude toward vaccinating their child were parents' vaccination status and regular vaccination of their child according to the national immunization program schedule. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate Croatian parents' mostly hesitant and negative attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization. Future vaccination campaigns should target unvaccinated parents, parents with younger children, and parents of children with chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Kristian Bodulić, Research Department, Dr. Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska cesta 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,
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Šašić M, Bodulić K, Hojsak I, Mašić M, Trivić I, Markić J, Batinić M, Bartulović I, Šurina A, Krajcar N, Tešović G. Parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Croat Med J 2023; 64. [PMID: 36864819 PMCID: PMC10028565 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2023.64.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia. METHODS In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we collected data from four tertiary care facilities in Zagreb, Split, and Osijek between December 2021 and February 2022. During the visit to the Pediatric Emergency Departments, parents were asked to fill out a highly-structured questionnaire about their attitudes toward COVID-19 immunization in children. RESULTS The sample consisted of 872 respondents. A total of 46.3% of respondents were hesitant about vaccinating their child against COVID-19, 35.2% definitely did not intend to vaccinate their child, and 18.5% definitely intended to vaccinate their child. Parents who were themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 were more likely than unvaccinated parents (29.2% and 3.2%, P<0.001) to vaccinate their children. Parents agreeing with the epidemiological guidelines were more inclined to vaccinate their children, as were parents of older children and parents of children vaccinated according to the national program schedule. Child comorbidities and respondents' history of COVID-19 were not associated with childhood vaccination intention. Ordinal logistic regression revealed that the most important predictors for a positive parents' attitude toward vaccinating their child were parents' vaccination status and regular vaccination of their child according to the national immunization program schedule. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate Croatian parents' mostly hesitant and negative attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization. Future vaccination campaigns should target unvaccinated parents, parents with younger children, and parents of children with chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Kristian Bodulić, Research Department, Dr. Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska cesta 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,
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Radmanić L, Korać P, Gorenec L, Šimičić P, Bodulić K, Vince A, Lepej SŽ. Distinct Expression Patterns of Genes Coding for Biological Response Modifiers Involved in Inflammatory Responses and Development of Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C: Upregulation of SMAD-6 and MMP-8 and Downregulation of CAV-1, CTGF, CEBPB, PLG, TIMP-3, MMP-1, ITGA-1, ITGA-2 and LOX. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58121734. [PMID: 36556936 PMCID: PMC9785468 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58121734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of genes on transcriptomic levels involved in inflammatory immune responses and the development of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: Expression patterns of 84 selected genes were analyzed with real-time quantitative RT PCR arrays in the peripheral blood of treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C and healthy controls. The panel included pro- and anti-fibrotic genes, genes coding for extracellular matrix (EMC) structural constituents and remodeling enzymes, cell adhesion molecules, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, signal transduction members of the transforming growth factor- beta (TGF-ß) superfamily, transcription factors, and genes involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Results: The expression of SMAD-6 coding for a signal transduction TGF-beta superfamily member as well as MMP-8 coding for an ECM protein were significantly increased in CHC patients compared with controls. Conclusions: Chronic hepatitis C was also characterized by a significant downregulation of a set of genes including CAV-1, CTGF, TIMP-3, MMP-1, ITGA-1, LOX, ITGA-2, PLG and CEBPB encoding various biological response modifiers and transcription factors. Our results suggest that chronic hepatitis C is associated with distinct patterns of gene expression modulation in pathways associated with the regulation of immune responses and development of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leona Radmanić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Korać
- Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lana Gorenec
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Šimičić
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snježana Židovec Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-2826-625
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Đaković Rode O, Bodulić K, Zember S, Cetinić Balent N, Novokmet A, Čulo M, Rašić Ž, Mikulić R, Markotić A. Decline of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Levels 6 Months after Complete BNT162b2 Vaccination in Healthcare Workers to Levels Observed Following the First Vaccine Dose. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020153. [PMID: 35214612 PMCID: PMC8876023 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on post-vaccination antibody dynamics has become pivotal in estimating COVID-19 vaccine efficacy. We studied anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG levels in 587 healthcare workers (2038 sera) who completed BNT162b2 vaccination. Average antibody titer 3 weeks after the first dose in COVID-19-naïve participants (median 873.5 AU/mL) was 18-fold higher than the test threshold, with a significant increase 1 month (median 9927.2 AU/mL) and an exponential decrease 3 (median 2976.7 AU/mL) and 6 (median 966.0 AU/mL) months after complete vaccination. Participants with a history of COVID-19 prior to vaccination showed significantly higher antibody levels, particularly after the first dose (median 14,280.2 AU/mL), with a slight decline 1 month (median 12,700.0 AU/mL) and an exponential decline in antibody titers 3 (median 4831.0 AU/mL) and 6 (median 1465.2 AU/mL) months after vaccination. Antibody levels of COVID-19-naïve subjects after the first dose were moderately correlated with age (r = −0.4). Multivariate analysis showed a strong independent correlation between IgG levels 6 months after vaccination and both IgG titers after the first dose and 1 month after vaccination (R2 = 0.709). Regardless of pre-vaccination COVID-19 history, IgG levels 6 months after vaccination were comparable to antibody levels reached by COVID-19-naïve participants after the first vaccine dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oktavija Đaković Rode
- Department for Clinical Microbiology, Division for Virology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.C.B.); (R.M.)
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-914-012-553
| | - Kristian Bodulić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (K.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Sanja Zember
- Health Care Quality Unit, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.); (Ž.R.)
| | - Nataša Cetinić Balent
- Department for Clinical Microbiology, Division for Virology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.C.B.); (R.M.)
| | - Anđa Novokmet
- Department for Adult Intensive Care and Neuroinfections, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marija Čulo
- Department for Clinical Microbiology, Division for Bacteriology, Hospital Infections and Sterilization, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Željka Rašić
- Health Care Quality Unit, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.Z.); (Ž.R.)
| | - Radojka Mikulić
- Department for Clinical Microbiology, Division for Virology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.C.B.); (R.M.)
| | - Alemka Markotić
- Research Department, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (K.B.); (A.M.)
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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