Scientific Reports (Sep 2022)

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

  • Alina Szewczyk-Dąbrowska,
  • Wiktoria Budziar,
  • Marek Harhala,
  • Krzysztof Baniecki,
  • Aleksandra Pikies,
  • Natalia Jędruchniewicz,
  • Zuzanna Kaźmierczak,
  • Katarzyna Gembara,
  • Tomasz Klimek,
  • Wojciech Witkiewicz,
  • Artur Nahorecki,
  • Kamil Barczyk,
  • Marlena Kłak,
  • Urszula Grata-Borkowska,
  • Krystyna Dąbrowska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-20202-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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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.