False positive dengue NS1 antigen test in a traveller with an acute Zika virus infection imported into Switzerland.

We report the first case of an acute Zika virus infection imported into Switzerland by a traveller returning from Canoa Quebrada, Ceará state, in the north-eastern part of Brazil. Due to a false positive dengue virus NS1 antigen test, IgG antibody seroconversion and a suggestive clinical picture,an acute dengue fever was initially considered. However, because of lack of specific IgM-antibodies, stationary IgG antibody titre and a negative dengue virus PCR test result, a dengue virus infection was excluded and a cross-reaction with other, causative flaviviruses was postulated.

Human papillomavirus infection among women with cytological abnormalities in Switzerland investigated by an automated linear array genotyping test.

Limited data are available describing human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution among females with cytological abnormalities in Switzerland. Cervical cell specimens obtained from 5,318 women were screened routinely by liquid-based Pap smear. All specimens with cellular abnormalities were analyzed subsequently for HPV DNA by the Linear Array HPV genotyping test.

Automation of the linear array HPV genotyping test and its application for routine typing of human papillomaviruses in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.

Background: There is a need for reliable, automated high throughput HPV detection and genotyping methods for pre- and post-prophylactic vaccine intervention analyses.

Objectives: To optimize the linear array (LA) HPV genotyping test (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz) in regard to possible automation steps for the routine laboratory diagnosis of HPV infections and to analyze the HPV genotype distribution in cervical specimens of women without cytological abnormalities in Switzerland.

Study Design: 680 cervical cell specimens with normal cytology, obtained from women undergoing routine cervical screening by liquid-based Pap smear, were analyzed by the LA HPV genotyping test for HPV-DNA.

Rickettsia helvetica in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks.

We report on the molecular evidence that Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in Croatia are infected with Rickettsia helvetica (10%) or Rickettsia slovaca (2%) or co-infected with both species (1%). These findings expand the knowledge of the geographic distribution of R. helvetica and D.

Persistent parvovirus B19 infection and arthralgia in a patient mistakenly treated for Lyme disease.

We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with persistent parvovirus B19 infection and arthralgia mistakenly treated for Lyme disease. This case indicates that poor standardization of both screening and confirmatory assays for Lyme disease can lead to an incorrect diagnosis of Lyme disease. Before making a final diagnosis of Lyme arthritis in an endemic region, other causative agents of arthritis, such as parvovirus B19, should be excluded to avoid unnecessary treatment or to add appropriate therapy in the case of co-infections.

Serology and serum DNA detection in shingles.

Aim: To investigate the sensitivity of various laboratory approaches in the diagnosis of herpes zoster from patient serum.

Methods: Paired sera from 53 consecutive adult patients with acute herpes zoster were tested for the presence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibodies. All acute sera were tested subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of VZV DNA.

A multiplex PCR assay for the detection of respiratory bacteriae in nasopharyngeal smears from children with acute respiratory disease.

To elucidate the frequency of infections with pathogenic respiratory bacteriae during an inter-epidemic period a multiplex PCR assay was used to screen nasopharyngeal smears for the presence of DNA specific for Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. 187 samples from children aged 2-14 y were analysed with this method in addition to classical bacteriology and compared to results obtained with commercially available PCR kits for each single parameter. From 82 samples positive by bacteriology, 8 (4.

Prolonged parvovirus b19 viremia in spite of neutralizing antibodies after erythema infectiosum in pregnancy.

Objective: To check the clearance of parvovirus B19 in the course of the development of neutralizing antibodies after Erythema infectiosum in pregnancy.

Methods: Parvovirus B19 serology (Parvovirus B19 IFA IgG, IgM Antibody Test Kit, Biotrin, Ireland and Immunoblot RIDA Blot Parvovirus B19, R-Biopharm, Germany) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR Parvovirus B19, Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) were performed in eight predelivery sera, one cord blood sample and one serum 2 months after delivery.

Results: Acute parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy was diagnosed by seroconversion in the IgM and IgG antibody class and detection of viral DNA by PCR.