[STARI--a new tick borne spirochetosis]. / STARI--nowa kretkowica odkleszczowa.

Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI), also known as Masters disease is caused by Borrelia lonestari spirochetes and it is transmitted by Amblyomma americanum tick. Early symptoms of STARI are similar to early Lyme borreliosis (skin rash resembling Erythema migrans). In diagnostic of STARI traditional methods are not effective. The decision of antibiotic treatment (similar to Lyme borreliosis) still remain based on clinical picture.

[Long-term fever as a first symptom of neoplasmatic process in young patients--case reports]. / Dlugotrwala goraczka, jako pierwszy objaw choroby nowotworowej u osób mlodych--opis przypadków.

UNLABELLED: Fever is a thermoregulation disorder with body temperature increased (above 38 degrees C). The most often accompanies infections, but it may also be a symptom of neoplasmatic disease. CASE REPORTS: In our paper we described 2 patients, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections with fever as a main symptom. Laboratory tests excluded the infection as causative agents of a long term fever. Wide spectrum diagnosis in both cases led to diagnosis of neoplasmatic disease. Presented cases indicate that in patents with long term fever, even in young age, neoplasmatic process should be taken into consideration.

[Concentration of soluble forms of selectins in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid in group of patients with neuroborreliosis--a preliminary study]. / Stezenie rozpuszczalnych form selektyn w surowicy i plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym u chorych na neuroborelioze--badania wstepne.

UNLABELLED: The results of the research already done, suggest an important role of selectins in inflammatory process of various etiology. Lack of selectins or their ligands causes severe complications, such as chronic inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of selectins sL, sE and sP in the development and course of neuroborreliosis in the form of meningitis. We have also analyzed the influence of treatment on changes of selectins' concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed 17 patients with neuroborreliosis presenting as meningitis, in whom we measured by immunoenzymatic method concentration of selectins sL, sP and sE in blood and cerebrospinal fluid before and after 4-week therapy with cefotaxim. We used Human sL-selectin, Human sE-selectin and Human sP-selectin kits produced by Bender Med. Systems, Austria. Control group for measurement of concentration of selectins in serum consisted of 8 healthy patients. Control group for measurement of concentration of selectins in cerebrospinal fluid consisted of 8 patients, in whom lumbar puncture excluded inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. RESULTS: In serum concentration of selectins sL and sP was significantly higher comparing to control group. After treatment concentration of these selectins decreased, but still was significantly higher than in control group. Only concentration of selectin sE was significantly lower than in control group and after treatment decreased further remaining lower comparing to control group. In cerebrospinal fluid concentration of selectin sL was significantly higher comparing to control group and increased after treatment. Concentration of selectins sE and sP increased before treatment and decreased after treatment, but still remained elevated comparing to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of increased concentration of selectins sP and sL in serum and also of selectin sE in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with neuroborreliosis after completed antibiotic therapy and regression of clinical symptoms can suggest permanence of chronic inflammatory state in consequence of survival of B. burgdorferi spirochetes in affected tissues.