[Clinical manifestations and hazards of brucellosis in the Netherlands].

Brucellosis, a zoonotic infection characterised by undulant fever, has a low incidence in the Netherlands and is therefore rarely considered. We describe 3 patients aged 26, 47 and 56 years old; each presented with long-standing fever as predominant symptom after having travelled to an endemic area, Iraq or Turkey, 1 week to 4 months prior to manifestation of illness. They had similar symptoms: fever, weight loss, chills, night sweats and dry cough.

[Summary of the multidisciplinary guideline 'Varicella'].

The multidisciplinary guideline 'Varicella' provides guidelines for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of chickenpox. At the first pregnancy check, patients should be questioned about previous chickenpox; in case of a negative or doubtful history varicella zoster virus (VZV) serology is indicated. VZV antibody determination is also indicated in patients considered for immunosuppressive therapy and for healthcare workers with a negative VZV history who are in contact with immunocompromised patients.