Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp

Abstract Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreli...

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Published inScientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 15944
Main Authors Szewczyk-Dąbrowska, Alina, Budziar, Wiktoria, Harhala, Marek, Baniecki, Krzysztof, Pikies, Aleksandra, Jędruchniewicz, Natalia, Kaźmierczak, Zuzanna, Gembara, Katarzyna, Klimek, Tomasz, Witkiewicz, Wojciech, Nahorecki, Artur, Barczyk, Kamil, Kłak, Marlena, Grata-Borkowska, Urszula, Dąbrowska, Krystyna
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group 24.09.2022
Nature Publishing Group UK
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
Antibodies
Antigens
Arachnids
Asymptomatic
Borrelia
Borreliosis
Comorbidity
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Hospitalization
Infections
Infectious diseases
Insect bites
Lyme disease
Patients
Serology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Vector-borne diseases
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Summary:Abstract Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreliosis), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted to humans by ticks. Exposure to Borrelia was identified by multi-antigenic (19 antigens) serological testing of patients: severe COVID-19 (hospitalized), asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 (home treated or not aware of being infected), and not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Increased levels of Borrelia -specific IgGs strongly correlated with COVID-19 severity and risk of hospitalization. This suggests that a history of tick bites and related infections may contribute to the risks in COVID-19. Though mechanisms of this link is not clear yet, screening for antibodies targeting Borrelia may help accurately assess the odds of hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, supporting efforts for efficient control of COVID-19.
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-20202-x