Immunity in the urinary tract has distinct and poorly understood pathophysiological characteristics and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality. We investigated the role of the soluble pattern recognition molecule pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a key component of the humoral arm of innate immunity, in UTIs. PTX3-deficient mice showed defective control of UTIs and exacerbated inflammation. Expression of PTX3 was induced in uroepithelial cells by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)- and MyD88-dependent manner. PTX3 enhanced UPEC phagocytosis and phagosome maturation by neutrophils. PTX3 was detected in urine of UTI patients and amounts correlated with disease severity. In cohorts of UTI-prone patients, PTX3 gene polymorphisms correlated with susceptibility to acute pyelonephritis and cystitis. These results suggest that PTX3 is an essential component of innate resistance against UTIs. Thus, the cellular and humoral arms of innate immunity exert complementary functions in mediating resistance against UTIs.

The aim of this report is to emphasize the risk of acquiring TBE by the consumption of raw milk and dairy products. In April-May 2015, we registered the first outbreak of tick-borne encephalitis in Croatia in seven members out of ten exposed persons who consumed raw goat milk or cheese from the same supplier. Infection was confirmed by TBEV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all patients. None had been vaccinated nor had observed a tick bite.

In Europe, Dobrava‐Belgrade (DOBV), Saaremaa (SAAV), and Puumala (PUUV) viruses are known to cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). All three hantaviruses are now found in Croatia. Lung tissue samples of 315 Apodemus mice trapped in 2003–2004 were screened for the presence of hantaviral N‐Ag and 20 mice (6.3%) were found either strongly positive or weak/suspected‐positive. Partial sequences of hantavirus M and S segments were recovered by RT‐PCR from six mice and subjected to (phylo)genetic analysis that revealed the presence of four novel strains of DOBV and one of SAAV. Curiously, one of the newly described DOBV strains was found in Apodemus agrarius mouse, that is, not in the traditional host, A. flavicollis mice, suggesting a spillover event. S segment sequences recovered previously from HFRS cases [Markotić et al., 2002] were confirmed as DOBV sequences; one of which appeared particularly close to the prototype Slovenian DOBV isolate. Taken together with earlier data on PUUV in Croatia, these results show a co‐circulation of three European hantavirus pathogens in this country. So far, not a single SAAV sequence has been recovered from HFRS patients either in Croatia or neighboring Slovenia and Hungary nor in Slovakia suggesting a somewhat lower fequency of acute SAAV infection in humans in this part of Europe than for example in the Baltics. J. Med. Virol. 83:108–114, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

SummaryBackgroundThe objective of this study was to assess the concentration of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in peripheral circulation and their mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with CAP caused by M. pneumoniae.Material/MethodsWe prospectively analyzed MMPs in 40 hospitalized patients with M. pneumoniae CAP on admission, and in the convalescent phase. Twenty healthy men were used as controls. Quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA tests were used.ResultsMMP-9 mRNA expression in PBMCs was increased in the acute phase of illness compared to the control group as well as in convalescent phase in which case it was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney; p=0.028). The same was found for MMP-9 plasma levels (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.001; p=0.001). Circulating MMP-2 concentration in acute patients was significantly lower than in the control group and convalescent phase (Mann-Whitney test; p=0.012; p=0.001), while no MMP-2 mRNA expression was found in PBMCs. The plasma level of MMP-9 correlated with leukocyte count in peripheral circulation (r=0.67, p<0.001).ConclusionsWe conclude that M. pneumoniae in adult CAP induces activity of MMP-9 in peripheral blood circulation.