Do survivin-specific CD4+ T cells are decreased in patients with survivin-positive myeloma?
We have, for the first time, quantified the circulating CD4+CD25- precursor frequency against survivin and demonstrated this is lower in myeloma patients than healthy donors. The number of survivin reactive CD4+CD25- T cells is inversely associated with tumor survivin expression suggesting suppression of survivin responsive CD4+CD25- T cells. Further exploration of a full length mutant survivin protein vaccine which expands survivin reactive CD4+ cells independent of the survivin reactive precursor frequency is warranted.
Lone Star ticks are associated with rashes that are similar, if not identical, to erythema migrans associated with borrelial infection. The recent isolation and cultivation of Borrelia burgdorferi from ticks (including 1 Lone Star tick) from the farm of a patient included in this report has raised the possibility that Lone Star ticks are "bridge vectors" for human borrelial infection. Although further investigation is needed, these rashes may be secondary to spirochetal infection.