Diagnosis of Tuberculous Infection in Immunosuppressed Patients and/or Candidates for Biologics Using a Combination of 2 IGRA Tests: T-SPOT.TB/QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube vs. T-SPOT.TB/QuantiFERON TB Gold Plus.

Introduction: The diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection (LTI) by IGRA continues to generate debate. Experience in the simultaneous use of 2 IGRA tests is scant. The aim of this study was to compare the results of 2 versions of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube/Plus) with those of T-SPOT.

Vaginosis. Vaginal microbiota.

The latest advances in the vaginal microbiome and molecular diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis have allowed for a better knowledge of this entity, characterising aspects of its pathogenesis and the establishment of the vaginal biolayer, the models and new theories of its aetiology, how it is transmitted, with it being considered nowadays as a probable sexually transmitted infection, the separation of other entities such as aerobic vaginosis, its molecular diagnosis and treatment with new molecules to prevent frequent relapses. This entity and the study of the vaginal microbiome have made it possible to consider these infections as a polymicrobial syndrome, putting an end to the dogma: one microorganism, one disease. In addition, a lesser-known entity such as aerobic vaginosis and the methods for its detection are updated.

Neuroinvasion of influenza A/H3N2: a fatal case in an immunocompetent adult.

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a severe neurologic complication caused by influenza virus that has been infrequently reported in adult population. The diagnosis is made on epidemiological, clinical, and neuroimaging suspicion, but is rarely confirmed by microbiological findings in samples from the central nervous system (CNS), thus making it difficult to define the mechanism of pathogenesis of influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathies (IAE). We report a microbiologically documented case of ANE caused by influenza A/H3N2, in a previously healthy adult patient infected during a flu epidemic in Asturias (Spain).

Detection and quantification of Merkel cell polyomavirus. Analysis of Merkel cell carcinoma cases from 1977 to 2015.

This study investigates the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in skin lesions of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCPyV was quantified using quantitative Real-Time-PCR (qRT-PCR) in 34 paraffinized MCC samples (resected/biopsied) originally taken between 1977 and 2015, and six non-MCC samples. In 31 (91.

Rapid diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are responsible for an enormous burden of morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, millions of cases of STIs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhoea occur every year, and there is now an increase in antimicrobial resistance in pathogens, such as gonococcus. Delay in diagnosis is one of the factors that justifies the difficulty in controlling these infections.