Identification of etiological agents of selected bacterial and viral infections based on serological tests

Abstract

The human immune system’s response to infection is closely related with the type of pathogen. First, a rapid, metabolically inexpensive and non-specific innate immunity is induced, then a specific acquired immunity is activated. In bacterial infections caused by intracellular pathogens, the main role is played by cellular response. In infections caused by bacterial extracellular pathogens, a crucial role is played by antibodies. The clinical symptoms of bacterial and viral infections very often are similar, which is why diagnosing them based only on medical history and physical examination is insufficient. To identify the etiological factors of infections differentiating media, biochemical tests, molecular methods and serological tests are used. The detection of microorganisms or their genetic material can be performed within a short time after the occurrence of an infection. The detection of antibodies is possible only in the appropriate time called the serological window. In a serological diagnostic of infections there are problems with an appropriate interpretation of obtained results. Cross-reactivity can give false positive results for the diagnosis of Chlamydophila pneumonia infection. The problem with the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection can be caused by a simultaneous coinfection with different spirochetes, syphilis, mononucleosis or HIV. In serological diagnostics of bacterial infections, the administration of antibiotics to patients before taking serum samples can be responsible for false negative results. Another reason for such results can be a weak humoral response in infected patients. In viral infections, false positive results can be caused by a coinfection of different viruses, especially from the same family or by bacterial or protozoal coinfections or by autoimmune diseases. False-negative results in viral infections often are caused by the early phase of an infection. To properly recognize an etiological factor of infection it is necessary to use an appropriate method, precision of test and collect samples at the appropriate time.

Occupational exposure to biological agents in Polish paramedics: a narrative review

“…The emergence of new species of microorganisms, as well as the development of research techniques, causes new biological factors, which are occupational hazards, to be detected in the work environment. Important issues surrounding biological factors of occupational hazards for paramedics include, e.g., blood-borne viruses; new species of viruses (SARS-CoV-2), prions and bacteria, germs carried by ticks (in cases of carrying out work tasks in wooded areas); allergenic and immunotoxic factors of microbe, plant, and animal origin present in organic dust [20][21][22][23][24].…”

Current Methods Used to Identify and Genotype Spirochaetes Borreliella Burgdorferi

“…Further, it ispossibile to obtainfalse-positive results due to cross-reactions [26]. Interpretation of serological results can be difficult due to antigenic complexity of different species of Borreliella, differences in immunological potential, and individual immune response of the patient [27].…”

MicroRNAs as new immunity regulators in viral and bacterial infections

“…EBV belongs to the group of oncogenic viruses. Studies on the presence of antibodies against EBV indicate that this pathogen is present in approximately 90% of the worldwide adult population (Hartung et al, 2019;Lewandowisz-Uszyńska et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2018). After entering the body, particles of this virus may not be completely destroyed, and as a result, remain latent in the body even for the host's entire life (Barbu et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2018;Zuo et al, 2017).…”