Screening of Forestry Workers in Guadalajara Province (Spain) for Antibodies to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus, Hantavirus, Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi

Exposure to Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), hantaviruses, Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi among forestry workers from a province in central Spain (Guadalajara) was examined by serological screening. This is the first such study in this rural area, where people often live and work in proximity to domestic and wild animals. Immunofluorescent analyses of the serum of 100 forestry workers detected IgG antibodies to LCMV in 2% (CL 95% 0.55%–7.0%) of this population, to hantaviruses in 4% (CL 95% 1.6%–8.3%) for the serum amyloid A (SAA) serotype, and 2% (CL 95% 0.55%–7.0%) for the Seoul virus (SEO) serotype (samples also positive for SAA), to Rickettsia in 8% (CL 95% 4.1%–15%) (3% (CL 95% 1.0%–8.5%) for R. typhi and 5% (CL 95% 2.2%–11.2%) for R. slovaca, and to B. burgdorferi in 7% (CL 95% 3.4%–13.8%). The number of people who have been exposed to these organisms is commonly underestimated since most infections are asymptomatic. Greater epidemiological surveillance may therefore be recommended

Epidemiological Study of Thogoto and Dhori Virus Infection in People Bitten by Ticks, and in Sheep, in an Area of Northern Spain

There is little information on Thogoto virus (THOV) and Dhori virus (DHOV)infection in Spain. A total of 283 serum samples from 150 human subjects (78 males, 72 females) bitten by ticks, as well as samples from 120 sheep (one per animal), were studied by immunofluorescence assay. All human and animal subjects were from the province of Palencia in northern Spain. Eight human subjects had antibodies against THOV (seroprevalence: 5.3%) and six had antibodies against DHOV (seroprevalence: 4%); titers ranged between 1/32-1/256 and 1/32-1/128, respectively. No significant differences were seen in seroprevalence in terms of gender or age, although people with antibodies were significantly more likely to have had contact with livestock for professional reasons. One subject with an acute infection had IgM antibodies to both viruses and seroconverted to IgG. For the sheep, 24 serum samples were positive for antibodies to THOV (seroprevalence: 20%) and 32 for antibodies to DHOV (seroprevalence: 26.8%); titers ranged between 1/16 and 1/128. The seroprevalence of both viruses was significantly higher in animals < 4 years of age. Together, these results reveal the circulation of DHOV and THOV in humans and sheep in the province of Palencia. Sheep might be used as indicators of the presence of these organisms

Wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as Sentinels of Rodent-borne Hantavirus and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus in the Province of Soria, Northern Spain

Three hundred and fourteen red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the province of Soria, Spain, were examined for hantavirus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection (and were likely to have been infected by feeding on infected rodents). Immunofluorescence and western blot assays confirmed 3.5% (11/314) to have antibodies to hantaviruses, and the immune fluorescence assay showed 2.2% (7/314) to have antibodies to LCMV. The serologic status of the animals showed no statistically significant association with sex or age. Although studies on the prevalence of hantaviruses and LCMV normally focus on rodents, our results showed that foxes can provide complementary information in determined areas

Independent Lineage of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus in Wood Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), Spain

To clarify the presence of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in Spain, we examined blood and tissue specimens from 866 small mammals. LCMV RNA was detected in 3 of 694 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the strains constitute a new evolutionary lineage. LCMV antibodies were detected in 4 of 10 rodent species tested

Epidemiological Study of Thogoto and Dhori Virus Infection in People Bitten by Ticks, and in Sheep, in an Area of Northern Spain

There is little information on Thogoto virus (THOV) and Dhori virus (DHOV)infection in Spain. A total of 283 serum samples from 150 human subjects (78 males, 72 females) bitten by ticks, as well as samples from 120 sheep (one per animal), were studied by immunofluorescence assay. All human and animal subjects were from the province of Palencia in northern Spain. Eight human subjects had antibodies against THOV (seroprevalence: 5.3%) and six had antibodies against DHOV (seroprevalence: 4%); titers ranged between 1/32&ndash;1/256 and 1/32&ndash;1/128, respectively. No significant differences were seen in seroprevalence in terms of gender or age, although people with antibodies were significantly more likely to have had contact with livestock for professional reasons. One subject with an acute infection had IgM antibodies to both viruses and seroconverted to IgG. For the sheep, 24 serum samples were positive for antibodies to THOV (seroprevalence: 20%) and 32 for antibodies to DHOV (seroprevalence: 26.8%); titers ranged between 1/16 and 1/128. The seroprevalence of both viruses was significantly higher in animals &lt; 4 years of age. Together, these results reveal the circulation of DHOV and THOV in humans and sheep in the province of Palencia. Sheep might be used as indicators of the presence of these organisms

Epidemiological Study of Rickettsial Infections in Patients with Hypertransaminemia in Madrid (Spain)

A retrospective analysis was performed to detect anti-rickettsial antibodies in the serum of patients with hypertransaminemia of unknown etiology, and in that of healthy members of the general population of Madrid (Spain). Among 143 patients 16 (11.2%) were positive for anti-R. conorii IgG antibodies and 7% for R. typhi. PCR analysis was performed in patients with IgM antibodies. Among 143 healthy subjects from the general population, seven (4.9%) were positive for anti-R. conorii IgG antibodies, and 2.8% for R. typhi. These results show that anti-rickettsial antibodies are more commonly detected in patients with hypertransaminemia than in healthy people

Endogenous ochronosis: when clinical suspicion prevails over histopathology

Endogenous ochronosis (EO) or alkaptonuria is an inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by the insufficiency of the enzyme homogentisic acid dioxygenase. This disturbance causes an accumulation and increased renal excretion of homogentisic acid (AHG), which manifests as dark urine when it oxidizes on contact with air. Other clinical manifestations of OE are the result of the deposit of AHG in the form of ochronotic pigment at the level of collagen in the skin and cartilage, where it causes blue-gray cutaneous hyperpigmentation, degenerative arthropathy, valvular disease, and other multisystem effects. Despite the progressive and irreversible nature of OE and the lack of a curative treatment, the life expectancy is preserved. We report a new case of EO with cutaneous and joint involvement, in which a high clinical suspicion, confirmed by elevated AHG in urine was the key in the diagnosis