PurposeThe variation in the immune response to Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. The present study compares the expression of selected interleukins, cytokines and cathelicidin (LL-37) in rheumatology clinic patients suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms with healthy blood donors. The patients had previously been tested for the presence of Bartonella henselae antibodies.MethodsGene expression of LL-37, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, interferon-(IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)-α was determined in blood samples using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was prepared with STATISTICA.ResultsStatistically significant differences in the mRNA levels of the tested cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12; p<0.0001) were observed between the healthy controls and patients; however, no difference was observed for LL37 mRNA (p ?= ?0.1974). No significant differences in mRNA expression were observed between IgG in anti-Bartonella seropositive and seronegative individuals (p>0.05). The only significant differences between the Bartonella spp. DNA positive and negative patients, indicated by PCR, were observed for TNF-α and IL-12 mRNA (p ?= ?0.0045 and p ?= ?0.0255, respectively).ConclusionA broadly similar immune response to the tested cytokines was observed among the participants irrespective of anti-Bartonella spp. IgG seropositivity. However, the Bartonella DNA-positive participants demonstrated significantly lower expression of IL-12 and TNF-α mRNA; this may indicate that these bacteria have a suppressive influence on the immune system. 相似文献
Background: Caregivers of stroke survivors often suffer depressive symptoms that interfere with their own health. Early recognition may lead to attenuation of symptoms and better health and well-being for caregivers.
Objective: We examined characteristics of caregivers and stroke survivors associated with caregivers’ depressive symptoms in the early poststroke period.
Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal exploratory observational study with a convenience sample of 63 caregivers of older adult (≥ 65 years) stroke survivors recruited from urban acute-care settings. We enrolled caregivers by 2 weeks poststroke (T1) and revisited them 4 weeks later (T2). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A separate unadjusted linear mixed model was computed to explore significant associations between each caregiver or stroke-survivor characteristic and depressive symptoms.
Results: Caregivers, on average, reported mild depressive symptoms at T1 and T2. Each of the following characteristics was independently associated with caregiver depressive symptoms over the first 6 weeks poststroke: caregiver uncertainty (p < 0.001), perceived stress (p < 0.001) but not cortisol levels (p = 0.858 on waking, p = 0.231 evening), coping (p < 0.001), social support (p = 0.006), race (p = 0.022), income (p = 0.001), time spent on care (p = 0.039), and stroke-survivor race (p = 0.033) and functional status (p = 0.003). At T2, caregiver depressive symptoms were correlated with evening cortisol level (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: Caregiver and stroke-survivor characteristics may help identify caregivers at highest risk for early depressive symptoms and guide interventions aimed at their resolution. 相似文献
