• Kazmierczak, Zuzanna
• Gembara, Katarzyna
• Pikies, Aleksandra
• Jedruchniewicz, Natalia
• Harhala, Marek
• Baniecki, Krzysztof
• Szewczyk-Dabrowska, Alina
• Dabrowska, Krystyna
• Grata-Borkowska, Urszula
• Budziar, Wiktoria
• Klimek, Tomasz
• Witkiewicz, Wojciech
• Klak, Marlena
• Barczyk, Kamil
• Nahorecki, Artur

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>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 <jats:italic>Borrelia burgdorferi</jats:italic> transmitted to humans by ticks. Exposure to <jats:italic>Borrelia</jats:italic> 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 <jats:italic>Borrelia</jats:italic>-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 <jats:italic>Borrelia</jats:italic> may help accurately assess the odds of hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, supporting efforts for efficient control of COVID-19.</jats:p>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy