Cytokine Profiling of Subclinical Tick-Borne Infections in Humans.

Over many years, tick-borne infections remain one of the most serious threats to human health worldwide. The immune response to these infections in a human after confirmed bite by an infected carrier at the early stages of infection in the absence of clinical symptoms can be the first indicator of the presence of the infectious agent in the body. During viral infection, the concentration of IL-1α, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, and IFNγ increases; superoxide dismutase also increases, in contrast to bacterial infections.

[Child and Adolescent Interepydemic Immunity to Influenza Viruses].

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the child and adolescent population immunity to influenza A viruses (IAV) and influenza B virus (IBV).

Methods: The concentration and specificity of antiviral antibodies was evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) that was performed using commercial HAI diagnostic kits.

Results: The serum samples of 254 clinically healthy children and adolescents were examined in this study.

The diversity and prevalence of hard ticks attacking human hosts in Eastern Siberia (Russian Federation) with first description of invasion of non-endemic tick species.

Hard ticks are the vectors of many pathogens including tick-borne encephalitis virus and the Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. In Eastern Siberia, Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis concinna are regarded as aggressive to humans. Recently, significant changes in world tick fauna have been reported and this affects the spread of tick-borne pathogens.