[Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae in occupational risk persons]. / Seroprevalencia de Bartonella henselae en personas con riesgo ocupacional.

INTRODUCTION: Bartonella henselae infection is a worldwide zoonosis with the domestic cat as reservoir. Although people with occupational contact with these pets are risk population only few studies of prevalence in them have been reported. METHODS: A study of seroprevalence of B. henselae was performed to veterinaries and other persons with occupational contact with cats, residents from the Bío-Bío region of Chile. Serum IgG antibodies against B. henselae were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI). Demographic data and history of cat bites or scratches were recorded. RESULTS: There were 76 persons included in the study, 18 to 69 years old. A 93.4% had a history of cat scratch or bite. A seroprevalence of 60.5% were found. No differences were found between gender, age, or history of cat scratch or bite. CONCLUSIONS: A high seroprevalence in people from this region with occupational risk were found. No subgroups with higher risk factors than others were identified.

Anaplasma platys in dogs, Chile.

We conducted a 16S rRNA nested PCR for the genus Ehrlichia and Ehrlichia spp. with blood samples from 30 ill dogs in Chile. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by using groESL gene amplification. We identified Anaplasma platys as 1 of the etiologic agents of canine ehrlichiosis.

[Utility of real time polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection among adult patients]. / Utilidad de la reacción de polimerasa en cadena en tiempo real en el diagnóstico de infecciones por virus respiratorio sincicial en adultos.

INTRODUCTION: Viral respiratory infections (VRI) are a frequent cause of morbidity among adult population. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) produces 20%> of VRI, however diagnosis is limited for a low sensitivity of conventional (FDA and ELISA) tests. AIM: To assess the impact of real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR) technique in RSV diagnosis in adult hospitalized patients; to characterize RSV infection among these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All adults hospitalized in Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica during 8 weeks of winter season, with clinical picture of VRI, and with negative DFA for influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and adenovirus were included. Real time RT-PCR was performed from nasopharyngeal sample. Clinical information, general laboratory exams and chest X ray reports were collected. RESULTS: Out of 114 patients with negative DFA, 17 (14.9%o) Debe decir: RSV cases were demonstrated using real time RT- PCR. Fever, pharyngeal congestion, cough and bronchial obstruction were present in 80%> of patients. Thirty percent of them had a baseline chronic disease and 47%> were immunocompromised. One out of 17 patients (6%) required mechanical ventilation. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Use of RT-PCR allowed increasing detection of RSV infection over 100%> among adults with VRI without virological diagnosis with conventional techniques. It is necessary to consider RSV RT-PCR test among patients with clinical picture of VRI during RSV season, with negative virological screening tests.