Activation of protein mediators of inflammation and evidence for endotoxemia in Borrelia recurrentis infection.
|
| Abstract |
Fifteen patients with Borrelia recurrentis infection were studied to evaluate the role of certain plasma proteins and endotoxin in the pathophysiology of both the acute illness and the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction. The causative spirochetes disappeared from the blood during the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction, which occurred about 2 hours after antibiotic therapy. The mean titers of Hageman factor, plasma prekallikrein and serum hemolytic complement activity were decreased at the time of admission and 2 hours after treatment, and rose to normal values during convalescence. Serum properdin titers were decreased in 14 patients at the time of admission, in 12 patients 2 hours after treatment, and in none during convalescence. The frequency of elevated levels of fibrinogen-related antigens increased from three patients at the time of admission to 12 patients 2 hours after treatment. Results of plasma limulus tests for endotoxin-like material were positive in 11 patients at the time of admission and in 13 patients 2 hours after treatment. These findings demonstrated that Hageman factor, prekallikrein and proteins of the complement system are activated in B. recurrentis infection and that endotoxin may play a role in both the acute illness and in the development of the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction after treatment.
|
|---|---|
| Authors | R E Galloway, J Levin, T Butler, G B Naff, G H Goldsmith, H Saito, S Awoke, C K Wallace |
| Journal | The American journal of medicine (Am J Med) Vol. 63 Issue 6 Pg. 933-8 (Dec 1977) ISSN: 0002-9343 [Print] United States |
| PMID | 605915 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.) |
| Chemical References |
|
| Topics |
|
Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!