Pertussis seroprevalence among adults of reproductive age (20-39 years) in fourteen European countries.

The reported incidence of pertussis in European countries varies considerably. We aimed to study specific Bordetella pertussis seroprevalence in Europe by measuring serum IgG antibody levels to pertussis toxin (anti-PT IgG). Fourteen national laboratories participated in this study including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden.

New circulation of genotype V of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in humans from Spain.

Background: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread tick-borne viral disease caused by the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). CCHFV has been implicated in severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks. During the summer of 2016, the first two cases with genotype III (Africa 3) were reported in Spain.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus-specific antibody detection in blood donors, Castile-León, Spain, summer 2017 and 2018.

BackgroundCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is considered an emerging or even a probable re-emerging pathogen in southern Europe. Presence of this virus had been reported previously in Spain in 2010.AimWe aimed to evaluate the potential circulation of CCHFV in western Spain with a serosurvey in asymptomatic adults (blood donors).

[Methodology of the 2nd seroprevalence study in Spain].

Seroprevalence studies are designed in population samples to assess the level and distribution of immunity induced by natural infection of certain infectious agents or by immunization against them. The purpose of the 2nd Seroprevalence Study in Spain is to assess the prevalence and distribution of immune status against vaccine-preventable diseases and generated by natural infection by other microorganisms. Pathologies specifically included in the study are: poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps, varicella, invasive meningococcal disease by serogroup C, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis E, hepatitis C and HIV.

[Serological diagnosis of congenital infections and algorithms to improve diagnostic efficacy].

Congenital infection is those transmitted by the mother to the fetus before delivery. It can occur transplacentally or by direct contact with the pathogen during birth or in the immediate postnatal period. Congenital infection can be due to viruses (rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, hepatitis B and C virus, human inunodeficiencia, erythrovirus B19) as bacteria (Treponema pallidum) and parasites (Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi).

[Re-emergence of measles in the province of Guadalajara, Spain. Is it time to establish new strategies for its elimination?].

Background: Measles is a viral infection that was almost eradicated, but it is re-emerging in Spain and Europe in recent years. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a measles outbreak that occurred in Guadalajara (Spain) from June to August 2012.

Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted.

[Microbiological diagnosis of emerging arboviral and rodent borne diseases].

Vector borne viruses (VBV) include viruses transmitted by arthropods, rodents and other animals. In Spain the three main autochthonous VBVs causing human diseases are: Toscana, West Nile and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis viruses. There are also other imported viruses that are potential threats to our public health, due to the presence of competent transmission vectors (dengue and chikungunya viruses in areas infested with Aedes albopictus), or due to the potential person-to-person transmission (Lassa and other viruses causing haemorrhagic fever).

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-associated meningitis, southern Spain.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was detected in 2 patients with acute meningitis in southern Spain within a 3-year period. Although the prevalence of LCMV infection was low (2 [1.3%] of 159 meningitis patients), it represents 2.

[Asymptomatic infection by influenza AH1N1 virus in healthcare workers: MARBEGRIP study, preliminary results].

Background: The proportion of asymptomatic individuals infected by influenza AH1N1v varies depending on the studies. Health personnel were exposed to the AH1N1v virus due to their professional activity, thus an high seroprevalence to the virus could be expected in the absence of symptomatology. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic individuals serologically positive for influenza AH1N1v virus.

Comparison of IgG avidity assays in the confirmation of the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus primary infection.

We have compared three ELISA techniques and one chemiluminescence immunoassay technique for determining cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity in serum samples from patients with recent and past CMV infections. Sensitivity varied from 84.6% to 100%; and specificity from 78.

[Seroepidemiological surveys of non vaccine-preventable diseases and their interest in public health].

Seroepidemiological surveys are epidemiological studies carried out by the use of serum tests to detect infection; they can be applied to infections in general and to vaccine-preventable diseases in particular. Among other applications, seroepidemiological studies are useful for determining groups at risk for a specific disease; evaluating transmission mechanisms; and determining population groups who are critical in maintaining the transmission of infectious agents. We analysed the results of seroprevalence studies in Spain on vertically-transmitted non vaccine-preventable diseases (Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type 2, and parvovirus human B19), blood-borne diseases (hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus and Trypanosoma cruzi) and emerging diseases (West Nile virus, Toscana virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus).

Synthesis of recombinant human parainfluenza virus 1 and 3 nucleocapsid proteins in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Human parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3 (HPIV1 and HPIV3, respectively), members of the virus family Paramyxoviridae, are common causes of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, young children, the immunocompromised, the chronically ill, and the elderly. In order to synthesize recombinant HPIV1 and HPIV3 nucleocapsid proteins, the coding sequences were cloned into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector pFGG3 under control of GAL7 promoter. A high level of recombinant virus nucleocapsid proteins expression (20-24 mg l(-1) of yeast culture) was obtained.

[Age-dependent seroprevalence of Toscana virus in the Community of Madrid: 1993-1994 and 1999-2000].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of Toscana virus (TOSV) in the Community of Madrid.

Methods: Samples from two serosurveys obtained during 1993-1994 (2262 individuals) and 1999-2000 (1945 individuals) were studied. Samples were tested by ELISA for TOSV IgG detection.

Detection of secondary mumps vaccine failure by means of avidity testing for specific immunoglobulin G.

The aim of this study was to discriminate between primary and secondary vaccine failure in children with mumps using IgG avidity testing. Thirty-nine serum samples from children with mumps, confirmed by specific IgM, were studied. The patients were grouped according to their immunization status.

[Pertussis outbreak in a poorly immunized community].

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, serological and epidemiological findings of a pertussis outbreak in an insufficiently vaccinated gipsy community.

Patients And Method: Ten cases (catarrhal illness with cough of 2 weeks duration) were identified through an active search. In four of them, two paired serum samples were obtained and total IgG against Bordetella pertussis and IgG and IgA against pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) were determined.

[Laboratory diagnosis of pertussis. Role of serology].

Culture is the reference method for the diagnosis of infection by Bordetella pertussis. Nevertheless, delayed sample collection and previous antibiotic treatment can limit culture sensitivity. In principle, direct immunofluorescence provides immediate diagnosis.