Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2007 Sep;23,135:174-8. Concentration of soluble forms of selectins in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid in group of patients with neuroborreliosis--a preliminary study Moniuszko AM, Pancewicz SA, Ko ndrusik M, Zajkowska J, Grygorczuk S, Swierzbi·ska R. Akademia Medyczna w Bia·ymstoku, Klinika Chorób Zaka·nych i Neuroinfekcji. The results of the research already done, suggest an important role of selectins in inflammatory process of various etiology. Lack of selectins or their ligands causes severe complications, such as chronic inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of selectins sL, sE and sP in the development and course of neuroborreliosis in the form of meningitis. We have also analyzed the influence of treatment on changes of selectins' concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed 17 patients with neuroborreliosis presenting as meningitis, in whom we measured by immunoenzymatic method concentration of selectins sL, sP and sE in blood and cerebrospinal fluid before and after 4-week therapy with cefotaxim. We used Human sL-selectin, Human sE-selectin and Human sP-selectin kits produced by Bender Med. Systems, Austria. Control group for measurement of concentration of selectins in serum consisted of 8 healthy patients. Control group for measurement of concentration of selectins in cerebrospinal fluid consisted of 8 patients, in whom lumbar puncture excluded inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. RESULTS: In serum concentration of selectins sL and sP was significantly higher comparing to control group. After treatment concentration of these selectins decreased, but still was significantly higher than in control group. Only con centration of selectin sE was significantly lower than in control group and after treatment decreased further remaining lower comparing to control group. In 71cerebrospinal fluid concentration of selectin sL was significantly higher comparing to control group and increased after treatment. Concentration of selectins sE and sP increased before treatment and decreased after treatment, but still remained elevated comparing to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of increased concentration of selectins sP and sL in serum and also of selectin sE in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with neuroborreliosis after completed antibiotic therapy and regression of clinical symptoms can suggest permanence of chronic inflammatory state in consequence of survival of B. burgdorferi spirochetes in affected tissues