A national survey on fungal infection diagnostic capacity in the clinical mycology laboratories of tertiary care hospitals in China.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: As the incidence of fungal infections in China increases, the demand for rapid and accurate diagnosis of mycoses is growing. Yet, information on current diagnostic capacity is scarce. METHODS: An online survey was conducted in February 2018 to collect information on mycology testing from tertiary care hospitals across China. Responses from 348 hospitals were analyzed, and a scoring system was designed and employed to assess the overall diagnostic capacity. RESULTS: Most of the surveyed hospitals did not have separate laboratory space, manpower, or equipment dedicated for fungal testing. Conventional staining methods were widely available (>70%), whereas GMS and fluorescent staining were less common. Fungal identification services were offered mostly with chromogenic medium, morphological characterization or automated identification systems, other than more advanced methods such as MALDI-TOF MS and DNA sequencing. Fungal serology testing was available in 81.1%, with G test being the most often used. Though 91.8% of the respondents had the ability to perform antifungal susceptibility testing for yeasts, less than 13% conducted such testing for molds. The percentage of laboratories participating in External Quality Assessment programs and research was 57.5% and 32.5%, respectively. The average score for the 348 surveyed hospitals was 37.2 (out of a maximum of 89 points), with only 15 hospitals scoring >60, suggesting a general lack of high-quality mycology laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: The overall clinical testing capacity for fungal infection in China is insufficient. More investment and training efforts are warranted to establish centers of excellence and promote access to high-quality diagnostic services.

Efficacy of serologic marker screening in identifying hepatitis B virus infection in organ, tissue, and cell donors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Screens for serologic markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are used to prevent its transmission through transplantation. However, exclusion of noninfectious seropositive donors exacerbates graft shortages, and a residual risk of transmission by seronegative donors also exists. This study assessed the risk of HBV associated with different HBV serologic profiles in organ, tissue, and cell transplants, as well as the risk of HBV transmission from seronegative donors. METHODS: A total of 11,155 consecutive organ, tissue, and cell donors were screened for HBV serologic markers. HBV DNA was screened for in 626 donors with at least one HBV serologic marker and 1433 multiple organ donors who were HBV seronegative or had anti-hepatitis B surface antigens (HBs) antibodies alone. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in most HBs-antigen-positive donors, but HBV-DNA levels were considerably lower than in patients with chronic hepatitis B. HBV DNA also was found in organ and cornea donors without HBs antigen. The prevalence of HBV DNA in organ donors with no HBV serologic markers or isolated anti-HBs antibodies was 0.07% (95% confidence interval, 0.01%-0.40%). One HBV-DNA-positive organ donor with isolated anti-HBs antibodies had amino acid substitutions in the hepatitis B surface antigen sequence. CONCLUSIONS: The analytic sensitivity of commercial hepatitis B surface antigen assays and their ability to detect HBsAg mutants should be improved. The utility and cost-efficacy ratio of systematic HBV-DNA testing should be assessed with the goal of excluding HBV-DNA-positive donations not identified through serologic testing while retaining donations that carry no risk of HBV transmission.

The correlated and shared gamma frailty model for bivariate current status data: an illustration for cross-sectional serological data.

Frailty models are often used to study the individual heterogeneity in multivariate survival analysis. Whereas the shared frailty model is widely applied, the correlated frailty model has gained attention because it elevates the restriction of unobserved factors to act similar within clusters. Estimating frailty models is not straightforward due to various types of censoring. In this paper, we study the behavior of the bivariate-correlated gamma frailty model for type I interval-censored data, better known as current status data. We show that applying a shared rather than a correlated frailty model to cross-sectionally collected serological data on hepatitis A and B leads to biased estimates for the baseline hazard and variance parameters.

Epidemiological, Serological, and Virological Features of Dengue in Nha Trang City, Vietnam.

Vietnam is endemic for dengue. We conducted a series of retrospective and prospective studies to characterize the epidemiology of dengue and population mobility patterns in Nha Trang city, Vietnam, with a view to rational design of trials of community-level interventions. A 10-year time series of dengue case notifications showed pronounced interannual variability, as well as spatial heterogeneity in ward-level dengue incidence (median annual coefficient of variation k = 0.47). Of 451 children aged 1-10 years enrolled in a cross-sectional serosurvey, almost one-third had evidence of a past dengue virus (DENV) infection, with older children more likely to have a multitypic response indicative of past exposure to ≥ 1 serotype. All four DENV serotypes were detected in hospitalized patients during 8 months of sampling in 2015. Mobility data collected from 1,000 children and young adults via prospective travel diaries showed that, although all ages spent approximately half of their daytime hours (5:00 am-9:00 pm) at home, younger age groups (≤ 14 years) spent a significantly greater proportion of their time within 500 m of home than older respondents. Together these findings inform the rational design of future trials of dengue preventive interventions in this setting by identifying 1) children < 7 years as an optimal target group for a flavivirus-naive serological cohort, 2) children and young adults as the predominant patient population for a study with a clinical end point of symptomatic dengue, and 3) substantial spatial and temporal variations in DENV transmission, with a consequent requirement for a trial to be large enough and of long enough duration to overcome this heterogeneity.

Longitudinal follow-up of Zika virus RNA in semen of a traveller returning from Barbados to the Netherlands with Zika virus disease, March 2016

We report the longitudinal follow-up of Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA in semen of a traveller who developed ZIKV disease after return to the Netherlands from Barbados, March 2016. Persistence of ZIKV RNA in blood, urine, saliva and semen was followed until the loads reached undetectable levels. RNA levels were higher in semen than in other sample types and declined to undetectable level at day 62 post onset of symptoms...(AU)

Boletim epidemiológico: perfil sorológico de doadores de sangue da Rede Estadual de Serviços de Hemoterapia - Rede HEMO / Epidemiological bulletin: serological profile of blood donors from the State Network of Hemotherapy Services - Rede HEMO

Esse boletim descreve o perfil sorológico dos doadores de sangue da Rede Estadual de Serviços de Hemoterapia Rede - HEMO. Estudo descritivo elaborado com base nos dados da planilha de registro das Sorologias Positivas, que são extraídos do sistema Hemovida no HEMOGO e na Rede HEMO através dos dados de resultado de exames encaminhados pelo setor de Análises Clínicas do HEMOGO

This bulletin describes the serological profile of blood donors from the Rede Estadual de Serviços de Hemoterapia Rede - HEMO. Descriptive study prepared based on data from the Positive Serology registration spreadsheet, which is extracted from the Hemovida system at HEMOGO and the HEMO Network through test result data sent by the HEMOGO Clinical Analysis sector

Prevalência de leptospirose em caprinos leiteiros do semiárido paraibano / Prevalence of leptospirosis in dairy goats in the semiarid region of Paraíba state

Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a prevalência de propriedades de caprinos leiteiros positivas e de animais soropositivos para leptospirose no semiárido paraibano. A amostragem foi delineada para a determinação da prevalência de propriedades positivas (focos) e de animais soropositivos para a infecção por Leptospira spp. No total, foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 975 animais procedentes de 110 propriedades leiteiras localizadas no Munícipio de Monteiro, microrregião do Cariri Ocidental, Estado da Paraíba. Para o diagnóstico da infecção por Leptospira spp., foi utilizado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), utilizando como antígenos 24 sorovares. Uma propriedade foi considerada foco quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. As prevalências de propriedades positivas e de animais soropositivos foram de 43,6% (IC 95% = 34,2-53,4%) e de 8,7% (IC 95% = 5,7-12,9%), respectivamente. Nos animais, os sorovares mais frequentes foram Autumnalis (1,74%; IC 95% = 0,97-3,09%), Sentot (1,71%; IC 95% = 0,82-3,52%) e Whitcomb (1,39%; IC 95% = 0,65-2,93%), e nas propriedades, os sorovares Autumnalis (10,9%; IC 95% = 5,8-18,3%), Whitcomb (8,2%; IC 95% = 3,8-15,0%) e Sentot e Patoc (7,3%; IC 95% = 3,2-13,8%) foram os mais frequentes. Sugere-se que a infecção está distribuída em caprinos da região, e que há necessidade de implantação de medidas de controle e prevenção, com o intuito de reduzir a ocorrência da infecção e, consequentemente, diminuir perdas econômicas ocasionadas e bloquear a possível transmissão do agente aos seres humanos.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of positive dairy goat herds and seropositive animals for leptospirosis in the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. Sampling was designed to determine the prevalence of positive herds (foci) and seropositive animals for leptospirosis. A total of 975 serum samples were collected from goats of 110 dairy herds in the Monteiro municipality, Western Cariri microregion of Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was carried out using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens. A herd was considered positive when existed at least one seropositive animal. The prevalence of positive herds and seropositive animals were 43.6% (95% CI = 34.2-53.4%) and 8.7% (95% CI = 58.7-12.9%) respectively. The most frequent serovars in goats were Autumnalis (1.74%; 95% CI = 0.97-3.09%), Sentot (1.71%; 95% CI = 0.82-3.52%) and Whitcomb (1.39%; 95% CI = 0.65-2.93%), and by herd, serovars Autumnalis (10.9%; 95% CI = 5.8-18.3%), Whitcomb (8.2%; 95% CI = 3.8-15.0%) and Sentot and Patoc (7.3%; 95% CI = 3.2-13.8%) were the most frequent. It is suggested that leptospirosis is spread in goats in the region, and that there is need to implement control and preventive measures in order to reduce infection and economic losses, and to avoid possible transmission of infection to humans.

Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em ovinos deslanados do semiárido brasileiro / Epidemiological characterization and risk factors associated with leptospirosis in the Brazilian semiarid

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência de rebanhos ovinos positivos (focos) e de animais soropositivos para leptospirose na região semiárida do Estado da Paraíba, bem como identificar fatores de risco. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 1.275 animais procedentes de 117 rebanhos em 19 municípios da mesorregião do Sertão, Estado da Paraíba. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da leptospirose foi utilizado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), com 24 sorovares de Leptospira spp. como antígenos. Um rebanho foi considerado positivo quando apresentou pelo menos um animal soropositivo. Das 117 propriedades utilizadas 33 (28,20%) apresentaram pelo menos um animal soropositivo, e dos 1.275 animais 69 (5,41%) foram soropositivos, com títulos variando de 100 a 3200. O sorovares reagentes foram Autumnalis (49,30%), Andamana (27,53%), Sentot (17,39%), Whitcomb (4,34%) e Australis (1,44%). Possuir mais de 48 animais no rebanho (odds ratio = 2,26; IC 95% = 1,33 -5,07; p = 0,021) e participação em exposições (odds ratio = 9,05; IC 95% = 0,96 - 85,71; p = 0,055) foram identificados como fatores de risco. Sugere-se a necessidade de estudos acerca do isolamento do agente, da caracterização de sua patogenicidade e do seu impacto econômico nos rebanhos ovinos da região, bem como recomenda-se maior controle sanitário nas aglomerações de animais.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the herd-level and animal-level prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep from the semiarid of Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 1,275 sheep from 117 flocks in 19 counties in the Sertão mesoregion, Paraíba. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens was carried out. Of the 117 flocks studied 33 (28.20%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and of the 1,275 animals 69 (5.41%) were seropositive with titers ranging from 100 to 3,200. Reactant serovars were Autumnalis (49.30%), Andamana (27.53%), Sentot (17.39%), Whitcomb (4.34%) and Australis (1.44%). Herd size > 48 sheep (odds ratio =2.26; 95% CI =1.33-5.07; p=0.021) and participation in animal exhibits (odds ratio =9.05; 95% CI =0.96-85.71; p=0.055) were identified as risk factors. The need was suggested for studies on the isolation of the agent, characterization of its pathogenicity and its economic impact on sheep flocks of the region, and sanitary control in sheep agglomerations was recommended.

Trends in the profile of blood donors at a large blood center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in the profile of blood donors from 1995 through 2001 at a large blood center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, particularly following the initiation in 1998 of marketing strategies aimed at substituting replacement donors with altruistic repeat donors. METHODS: Using an information system that had been established at the Pro-Blood Foundation/Blood Center of São Paulo (Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo) in 1994, we collected information on sex, age, and type of donation for the years 1995-2001. We classified blood donors as either replacement blood donors (if they stated that the reason for donating was that they had a friend or relative in the hospital) or as altruistic donors. First-time blood donors were those who had not donated in our institution since the establishment of the information system. RESULTS: The percentage of repeat altruistic blood donors increased over time as first-time replacement donors declined for both genders. The proportion of altruistic donors climbed from 20% of all blood donors in 1995 to 57% in 2001. In 2001, first-time blood donors represented only 52% of all donors, as contrasted to 88% in 1995. Female donors increased from 20% to 37% of the donors over the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that the São Paulo population has responded well to the marketing strategies that have been introduced in our institution. We believe that similar promotional efforts elsewhere in Brazil would produce comparable, positive results.

Aspecto clínico-epidemiológicos e imunológicos da hanseníase em área heperendêmica do estado do Maranhão / epidemiological and immunological aspect of leprosy in hyperendemic area of the state of Maranhão

A hanseníase ou mal de Hansen (MH), causada pelo patógeno Mycobacterium leprae, ainda constitui um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, e em especial no Maranhão. A doença é hiperendêmica em 77 municípios do Estado. A resposta imune ao patógeno de indivíduos dessas regiões permanece obscuro podendo contribuir na manutenção da hiperendemia. Por isso, este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico e imunológico de pacientes infectados por M. leprae, e de seus contatos, procedentes de área hiperendêmica. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi realizado um estudo transversal foi realizado nos municípios de Açailândia, Imperatriz e São Luís, no período 2009 a 2012. Pacientes e contatos foram clinicamente avaliados e tiveram os dados epidemiológicos coletados. Uma amostra de sangue foi obtida para realização das sorologias para detecção de anticorpos IgM anti-PGL1 pelos testes de ELISA e ML-Flow, e dosagem de citocinas e quimiocinas. A análise descritiva demonstrou que a maioria dos pacientes eram adultos, do gênero masculino, diagnosticados principalmente com as formas intermediárias da doença (60%)...

Leprosy, caused by the pathogen Mycobacterium leprae, it is a public health problem in Brazil yet, especially in Maranhão. The disease is hyperendemic in 77 counties of the State. Immune response to the pathogen of individuals in these regions remains unclear and may be contributing to maintenance of high endemicity. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize epidemiological and immunological profile of patients infected with M. leprae, and their contacts, from hyperendemic regions. Cross-sectional study was accomplished in Açailândia, Imperatriz and São Luís counties, 2009-2012. Patients and contacts were clinically evaluated and had their epidemiological data collected. A blood sample was obtained for performing serological tests IgM anti-PGL1 detection by ELISA and ML-Flow and measurement of cytokines and chemokines. Descriptive analysis showed that most patients were adults, male, diagnosed with intermediate forms mainly (60%)...

Análisis comparativo de las serologías realizadas a los inmigrantes en la región sanitaria de Lleida / Comparative analysis of serological tests performed in immigrants in the lleida health area

Objetivo: Evaluar el proceso de cribado y detección de virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y de la hepatitis C (VHC) y sífilis en los inmigrantes de nuestra región sanitaria, determinando las proporciones de resultados positivos entre colectivos durante un año. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo multicéntrico donde se analizaron todas las serologías realizadas a inmigrantes y autóctonos atendidos durante todo el año 2007. Emplazamiento: Provincia de Lleida (España). Participantes: Se incluyeron 255.410 usuarios. Mediciones principales: Edad, sexo, país de origen y tiempo de permanencia en nuestro país y los resultados para VIH, hepatitis B, hepatitis C y sífilis. Se evaluó si había asociación entre las tasas de marcadores positivos y la zona geográfica de procedencia. Se calcularon las tasas ajustadas por grupos de edad estandarizadas según el método directo. Resultados: El colectivo de origen inmigrante presenta 4,6 veces más probabilidades de tener VHB que el colectivo autóctono (razón de porcentajes [RP]=4,6), siendo el colectivo sudafricano y de Europa del Este el que presenta una mayor probabilidad de VHB (RP=11,7 y 4,5). En la sífilis el porcentaje de positivos es 3 veces mayor en el colectivo inmigrante con las diferencias mayores detectadas en el colectivo latinoamericano (RP=5,5). En el VIH la RP en inmigrantes fue de 2,3 (específicamente en subsaharianos una RP=7,4). En la hepatitis C los inmigrantes obtienen un menor riesgo de ser positivos que los autóctonos (RP=0,4). Conclusiones: Se constatan diferencias importantes en la probabilidad de detectar un resultado positivo de hepatitis B, sífilis o VIH en el cribado cuando el usuario es de origen inmigrante(AU)

Objective: Evaluate the process of screening and detection of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in the province of Lleida by determining the proportions of positive results in the different groups during one year. Design: Descriptive, multicentre study of all the serological tests performed in immigrants and natives attended in 2007.SettingProvince of Lleida (Spain). Participants: 255,410 users. Main measurements: Age, sex, country of origin and period of residence in Spain, and the results for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis. We calculated the proportions in which a serological test had been requested, and examined the association between the rates of positive tests and the geographical area of origin, and calculated age-adjusted rates taking the age distribution of the native population as the reference. Results: Risk of HBV was 4.6 times higher in immigrants than in natives (11.7 times in sub-Saharan Africans). The rate of positive syphilis tests was three times higher in the immigrant group. For HIV the PR was 2.3 (sub-Saharan Africans 7.4). For hepatitis C the risk was lower in immigrants than in natives (PR=0.4). Conclusions: Immigrants have a higher probability of testing positive in screening in hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. The rates differ significantly according to the origin of the immigrant(AU)

Coinfección por VIH/VHB: estrategias terapéuticas y control serológico / HIV/HBV coinfection: Serological control and therapeutic strategies

Objetivos. La evolución y pronóstico de los pacientes coinfectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y el de la hepatitis B (VHB) no es bien conocida. Este estudio describe el tratamiento y el control serológico, virológico, bioquímico y elastográfico de los pacientes coinfectados por VIH/VHB. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de la totalidad de pacientes coinfectados por VIH/VHB seguidos en una consulta monográfica de VIH entre el 1 de enero de 2007 y el 30 de noviembre de 2008. A los pacientes se les realizaron determinaciones virológicas y serológicas para el VHB y el VIH, así como linfocitos CD4 y transaminasas, antes de comenzar el tratamiento antirretroviral y en el momento del análisis. Resultados. Se identificaron 54 (5,4%) pacientes coinfectados por VIH/VHB. Las medianas de CD4 nadir y actual fueron de 179 y 437 células/μl, respectivamente. El 70% tenían RNA-VIH indetectable. Cincuenta y dos pacientes (96,3%) seguían terapia con fármacos activos frente al VHB. Un 68,8% presentaron negativización del antígeno «e» del VHB, con un 81,6% de respuesta virológica. El antígeno de superficie del VHB se negativizó en el 10,4%. La alanina aminotransferasa era normal en el75,5%. Se realizó FibroScan® a 30 (55,6%) pacientes, obteniéndose una mediana de 7.0 KPa. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren un buen control serológico, virológico, bioquímico y elastográfico de los pacientes coinfectados por VIH/VHB con los tratamientos recomendados por las guías clínicas(AU)

Objectives. The evolution and prognosis of patients co-infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV) is not well know. This study describes the treatment and serological, virological and biochemical and elastographic responses of HIV and HBV-coinfected patients. Patients and methods. A descriptive, retrospective study of all the HIV/HBV-coinfected patients seen in a specialized HIV department between 1 January 2007 and 30 November 2008 was performed. Virological and serological determinations of HIV and HBV infections as well as CD4 lymphocytes and transaminases prior to antiretroviral treatment and at the time of analysis were obtained. Results. A total of 54 (5.4%) cases of HIV/HBV coinfection were identified. The median nadir and current CD4 were 179 and 437 cells/L, respectively. There was undetectable RNA-HIV in 70%. There were 52 patients (96.3%) who followed active drugs treatment against HBV. After treatment, 68.8% had HBeAg negative result, with 81.6% virologic response. The HBsAg became negative in 10.4%. ALT was normal in 75.5%. FibroScan® was performed in 30 (55.6%) patients, yielding a median of 7.0kPa. Conclusions. The results obtained suggest a good serological, virological and biochemical control of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients with treatments recommended by clinical guidelines(AU)

Trends in the profile of blood donors at a large blood center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in the profile of blood donors from 1995 through 2001 at a large blood center in the city of Säo Paulo, Brazil, particularly following the initiation in 1998 of marketing strategies aimed at substituting replacement donors with altruistic repeat donors. METHODS: Using an information system that had been established at the Pro-Blood Foundation/Blood Center of Säo Paulo (Fundaçäo Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de Säo Paulo) in 1994, we collected information on sex, age, and type of donation for the years 1995-2001. We classified blood donors as either replacement blood donors (if they stated that the reason for donating was that they had a friend or relative in the hospital) or as altruistic donors. First-time blood donors were those who had not donated in our institution since the establishment of the information system. RESULTS: The percentage of repeat altruistic blood donors increased over time as first-time replacement donors declined for both genders. The proportion of altruistic donors climbed from 20 percent of all blood donors in 1995 to 57 percent in 2001. In 2001, first-time blood donors represented only 52 percent of all donors, as contrasted to 88 percent in 1995. Female donors increased from 20 percent to 37 percent of the donors over the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence that the Säo Paulo population has responded well to the marketing strategies that have been introduced in our institution. We believe that similar promotional efforts elsewhere in Brazil would produce comparable, positive results

Guía para la interpretación de los resultados del estudio serológico frente VHB y VHC en donantes de gametos / Guideline for the interpretation of the results of serologic study front HBV and HCV in gametes donors

El estudio de enfermedades infecciosas de transmisión en donantes de gametos está regulado por el RD 412/96. Entre las enfermedades de estudio obligatorio se encuentran las hepatitis B y C con repeticiones del estudio serológico cada seis meses para los donantes de semen. En este trabajo presentamos un protocolo de actuación ante los resultados de los estudios serológicos de hepatitis B y C y su interpretación en función de los valores de transaminasas y antecedentes personales. Las pruebas serológicas recomendadas para descartar infección por VHB son antígeno HBs y anticuerpos anti-HBc y para descartar infección por VHC son los anticuerpos anti-VHC (AU)

The study of the transmission infectious diseases in gametes donors is regulated by BD 4l2/BB. Between the diseases of obligatory study are present hepatitis B and B with repetitions of the serological study each 6 months for semen donors. In this work we show a protocol of performance before the results of the serological study of hepatitis B and E and their interpretation depending on the transaminasas value and personal antecedents. The tests recommended to discard an infection by HBV are HBs antigen and anti-HBc antibodies and to discard infection by HCV are anti-HVC antibodies (AU)

Control serológico prenatal del síndrome STORCH en un grupo de gestantes en la ciudad de Bogotá

Se tomaron 112 gestantes, con edades gestacionales de 10-30 semanas. Se determinó edad, antecedentes gestacionales, paridad, abortos, contacto con gatos, consumo de carnes semicrudas, labores de jardinería, antecedentes de rubéola enfermedad y vacunación, antecedentes de herpes oral y genital. Se practicó IFI-IgG para toxoplasma, ELISA IgG para Rubeóla, herpes I y II y citomegalovirus, VDRL, FTA, ABS y TPHA para lúes. Se encontró que 60.7 por ciento fueron negativas para Acs antitoxoplasma y 14.3 por ciento para rubéola, 5.4 por ciento fueron negativas para CMV, 99.1 por ciento positivas para herpes I y 46.4 por ciento para herpes II, 0.9 fueron positivas para lúes. La anamnesis para rubéola no es confiable y sólo 0.9 por ciento han sido vacunadas para rubéola. Se considera haber contribuido a actualizar el conocimiento epidemiológico de este síndrome en nuestro medio.

The role of Jamaican birds and their blood-sucking ectoparasites in the transmission of arborviruses

Three hundred and eighty nine bird sera were collected from an area with a high percentage of St. Louis encephalitis immunity in the human population. Haemagglutination-inhibition and neutralization tests showed 17 percent of wild birds and 38 percent of domestic birds positive to St. Louis. One isolation of St. Louis encephalitis was made from a wild bird. Conversion in sentinel and local chickens showed the greatest St. Louis activity from March to August. Most nestlings were found at this time, and doubtless are associated with the increased virus activity. Nestlings of Mimus polyglottos, the Jamaican Nightingale, provided the one isolate, and their high antibody rate indicates their importance in the transmission cycle; ground feeding species of wild birds and chickens are also important. St. Louis virus and antibody development were studied in laboratory infected chickens. Collection from birds and their nests revealed 10 species of haematophagus arthropods, including 8 mites, one tick, and one Philornis maggot. Culex nigripalpus was the most common mosquito biting at 20 feet above ground. Fifteen other isolates were made from birds. Thirteen of these were Coxsackie-like viruses, related to an unidentified virus from a human fever case; 2 were dissimilar to the 13, but were not characterised sufficiently.(AU)