Detection of IgM antibrucella antibody in the absence of IgGs: a challenge for the clinical interpretation of brucella serology.

The use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies antibrucella has become widespread in the diagnosis of human brucellosis. IgM anti-Brucella antibodies are indicative of acute infection. Between 2009-2013, 5307 patients were evaluated for serologic diagnosis at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Albacete General Hospital. A ELISA IgM-positive, IgG-negative anti-Brucella antibody serology pattern was detected in 17 of those patients. Epidemiology data, symptoms, laboratory data, treatment and outcome from these patients were reviewed. Sixteen patients presented with musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and/or fever and 1 was asymptomatic. Five patients received treatment with doxycycline combined with rifampin, gentamycin or streptomycin during 6-12 weeks, with no improvement. None of the 17 patients were finally diagnosed with brucellosis. Our results indicate that anti-Brucella IgM positive serology, per se, is not enough to diagnose acute brucellosis and other methods should be used for confirmation. Brucella serology data should be interpreted taking into account the patient's clinical history and epidemiological context.

[Prevalence and incidence in Albacete, Spain, of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age: differences between immigrant and non-immigrant (2001-2007)]. / Prevalencia e incidencia de la infección por Toxoplasma gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete (2001-2007).

BACKGROUND: Strategies to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis must be adapted to the local epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence and the incidence of T. gondii infection in women of childbearing age in Albacete. METHODS: The source of information was the database of the Microbiology Laboratory of the Albacete General Hospital. To know the prevalence we reviewed the results of T. gondii IgG determinations from pregnant women living in the Albacete area who gave birth in 2006. To estimate the incidence we performed a longitudinal retrospective study of seronegative women with repeated T. gondii IgG determinations over at least one year. RESULTS: Prevalence study: We studied 2,623 pregnant women, of whom 21% were seropositive. Seroprevalence in Spain-born women was 16% (95% CI = 14%-17%) and it increased with age from 9% in women under 25 to 22% in women over 34 years old. Fifty-one per cent (95% CI=46%-56%) of the immigrant women were seropositive. Incidence study: We studied 2,416 women. The median time at risk was 35 months. There were 5 confirmed and 3 possible seroconversions. The incidence was 0.7-1.1 seroconversions per 1,000 women-year. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of T. gondii infection among Spain-born women is the lowest one of those published so far. The incidence of infection among women of childbearing age was low.

Prevalencia e incidencia de la infección por Toxoplasma Gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete (2001-2007) / Prevalence and incidence in Albacete, Spain, of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age. Differences between immigrant and non-immigrant (2001-2007)

Fundamento: Las estrategias de prevención de la toxoplasmosis congénita deben adaptarse a la epidemiología local de la infección por Toxoplasma gondii. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la prevalencia y la incidencia de la infección por T. gondii en mujeres en edad fértil en Albacete. Métodos: La fuente de información fue la base de datos del Laboratorio de Microbiología del Hospital General de Albacete. Para conocer la prevalencia se revisaron los resultados de las determinaciones de IgG anti-T. gondii en mujeres embarazadas que dieron a luz en el año 2006. Para estimar la incidencia se realizó un estudio longitudinal retrospectivo de mujeres seronegativas con determinaciones de IgG anti-T. gondii repetidas durante al menos un año. Resultados: Estudio de prevalencia: Se estudió a 2.623 mujeres gestantes de las que el 21% fueron seropositivas. La seroprevalencia en mujeres nacidas en España fue del 16% (IC 95% = 14%-17%) y aumentó con la edad desde el 9% en menores de 25 años hasta el 22% en mayores de 34. El 51% (IC95%=46%-56%) de las mujeres inmigrantes fueron seropositivas. Estudio de incidencia: Se estudió a 2.416 mujeres. La mediana del tiempo en riesgo fue de 35 meses. Hubo 5 seroconversiones confirmadas y 3 posibles. La incidencia de seroconversiones fue de 0,7-1,1 por 1.000 mujeres-año. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la infección por T. gondii en mujeres nacidas en España fue la más baja de las publicadas hasta ahora. La incidencia de la infección en mujeres en edad fértil fue baja (AU)

Background: Strategies to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis must be adapted to the local epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence and the incidence of T. gondii infection in women of childbearig age in Albacete. Methods: The source of information was the database of the Microbiology Laboratory of the Albacete General Hospital. To know the prevalence we reviewed the results of T. gondii IgG determinations from pregnant women living in the Albacete area who gave birth in 2006. To estimate the incidence we performed a longitudinal retrospective study of seronegative women with repeated T. gondii IgG determinations over at least one year. Results: Prevalence study: We studied 2,623 pregnant women, of whom 21% were seropositive. Seroprevalence in Spain-born women was 16% (95% CI = 14%-17%) and it increased with age from 9% in women under 25 to 22% in women over 34 years old. Fifty-one per cent (95% CI=46%-56%) of the immigrant women were seropositive. Incidence study: We studied 2,416 women. The median time at risk was 35 months. There were 5 confirmed and 3 possible seroconversions. The incidence was 0.7-1.1 seroconversions per 1,000 women-year. Conclusions: Prevalence of T. gondii infection among Spain-born women is the lowest one of those published so far. The incidence of infection among women of childbearing age was low (AU)

Linfadenopatías por Toxoplasma gondii en un hospital general / Lymphadenopathies caused by Toxoplasma gondii in a general hospital

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