[Skin manifestations of Lyme borreliosis]. / Skórne postacie boreliozy z Lyme.

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne disease which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted in the Poland, as well as Europe, primarily by Ixodes ticks. After inoculation spirochetes spreads in the skin, activate locally immune response mechanisms and cause characteristic skin lesions like erythema migrans, lymphadenosis benigna cutis, erythema migrans multiplex and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. The correct clinical diagnosis of skin lesions and antibiotic treatment is most important for regression of symptoms and prevention of late manifestations of Lyme disease.

[Structure and biologic function of IFNgamma]. / Budowa i biologiczna rola IFNgamma.

IFNgamma is a pro-inflammatory, pleiotropic cytokine mainly produced by the CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes and NK cells, that play an important role in macrophage activation, antigen presentation enhance and induce innate, and acquired immune responses. IFNgamma by interaction with they cell-surface receptors (IFNgammaR) activates cellular effects including stimulation of antiviral and antimicrobial mechanisms, inhibition of cellular proliferation, regulates cells apoptosis and leukocyte trafficing to sites of inflammation. The purpose of this article is to present the current understending of structure and biological function of IFNgamma in the light of current opinions regarding this matter.