Genotypic identification of an undescribed spotted fever group rickettsia in ixodes ricinus from southwestern Spain

An undescribed rickettsia was directly analyzed with specific rickettsial molecular biology tools on Ixodes ricinus L. collected in different localities of the province of Cadiz (southwestern Spain). On the basis of the results of the citrate synthase (glta) gene, 190 kD-outer membrane protein (rOmpA) gene, and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene partial sequence data, it was found that this rickettsia is sufficiently genetically distinct from other Rickettsia to be considered a distinct taxonomic entity. The isolation and culture of this organism, as well as comparative antigenic analysis, are required to ensure its conclusive taxonomic placement among spotted fever rickettsiae. The epidemiologic role of this new rickettsial agent and its possible pathogenicity to wild and domestic animals or humans is still unknown and needs to be investigated

Three years' experience of sexually transmitted diseases in Seville, Spain.

At present there are no reliable statistics on the relative prevalences of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Spain. In a report of the first three years' experience in an STD diagnostic centre between 1977 and 1979 a total of 879 patients (534 men adn 345 women) were seen. They mainly consisted of university students and the mean age was 22 years in 1977 and 23 years in the following two years. All the patients were examined for syphilis and all women for gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis. Investigations for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Candida albicans, and Herpesvirus hominis infections were carried out according to the presenting symptoms. Non-specific genital infections occurred most commonly (25.7%); chlamydia were isolated from 30% of the patients with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The second commonest infection was candidosis (13.5%). Gonorrhoea, which was found in 10.6% of the patients, was diagnosed more frequently in men (13.5%) than in women (6%). No strains of beta-lactamase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae were detected and all were sensitive to penicillin. Syphilis was diagnosed in 4.4% of patients (2% women and 5% men). Condylomata acuminata were diagnosed in 2.8% of patients and more frequently in men (4%). Herpes genitalis and venereophobia were uncommon (1.9% and 1.2% respectively) and were diagnosed only in men