Human intestinal spirochetosis: an entity associated with sexual transmitted infections.

Introduction: Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIE) is a poorly studied clinical entity with variable clinical manifestations. However, in recent years it has gained special relevance because an increasing number of cases have been described in people living with HIV (PWH) and in patients with a history of sexually transmitted infections (STI) or immunosuppression.

Methods: Retrospective review of all HIE cases identified in a tertiary level hospital (Hospital Universitario la Paz, Madrid) between 2014 and 2021.

[Biodefense: a new challenge for microbiology and public health].

Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic.

[Q fever outbreak in an urban area following a school-farm visit].

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to describe an outbreak of Q fever in a group of people (day care centre for mental-handicapped individuals) previously exposed to animals in a school-farm.

Patients And Method: A retrospective cohort study among the 25 mental-handicapped individuals and the 30 workers of the centre was performed. The information about symptoms and signs and antecedents of exposition was obtained by an epidemiological survey and a clinical-epidemiological case definition was established.

[Diseases produced by Borrelia].

Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a multi-organ infection with dermatological, rheumatological, neurological, and cardiac manifestations. The main characteristic is a skin lesion, named erythema migrans. Relapsing fever, caused by numerous species of Borrelia, is characterized by a periodic cycle of acute and afebrile episodes.