3 research outputs found
Molecular Characterization of Imported and Autochthonous Dengue in Northeastern Spain
Autochthonous transmission; Dengue; Molecular epidemiologyTransmissió autòctona; Dengue; Epidemiologia molecularTransmisión autóctona; Dengue; Epidemiología molecularDengue is the most significant arbovirus worldwide and a public health threat to non-endemic areas in which Aedes vectors are present. Autochthonous dengue transmission has been reported in several European countries in the last decade. Infected travelers from endemic regions arriving to areas colonized by Aedes albopictus in Europe need to be monitored in surveillance and control programs. We aimed to perform molecular characterization of RT-PCR-positive dengue cases detected in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, from 2013 to 2018. The basic demographic information and the geographical regions of importation were also analyzed. One-hundred four dengue cases were studied (103 imported infections and the first autochthonous case in our region). The dengue virus strains detected were serotyped and genotyped using molecular methods, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. All four dengue serotypes were detected in travelers, including up to 10 different genotypes, reflecting the global circulation of dengue in endemic areas. The primary travel-related case of the 2018 autochthonous transmission was not identified, but the molecular analysis revealed dengue serotype 1, genotype I of Asian origin. Our results highlight the diversity of imported dengue virus strains and the role of molecular epidemiology in supporting arbovirus surveillance programs
Persistence of Zika virus in semen 93 days after the onset of symptoms
INTRODUCTION: Zika virus is mainly transmitted through the bites
of infected Aedes mosquitoes, although mother-to-child and
sexual transmission have also been described. The presence of
Zika virus in semen after infection seems to be not uncommon,
but the duration of viral persistence has not been
well-determined. METHODS: Molecular, serological and cell
culture methods were used for the diagnosis and follow up of a
case of Zika virus infection imported from Venezuela. Serial
samples of serum, urine and semen were analyzed to investigate
the persistence of the Zika virus. RESULTS: Zika virus was
detected in semen samples up to 93 days after the onset of
symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the persistence of
Zika virus in semen samples for long periods after infection
Leptospirosis in Spanish travelers returning from Chiang Mai: A case series
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is an important zoonosis worldwide,
nevertheless is often poor recognized in non tropical settings.
In Thailand is becoming an emerging disease and Chiang Mai could
become a popular spot to acquire the disease amongst travelers.
METHODS: We describe three cases of imported leptospirosis
undifferentiated fever after travelling to Thailand during the
summer of 2015 diagnosed at two Spanish hospitals. RESULTS: Our
three patients probably acquired leptospirosis while swimming in
freshwater around Chiang Mai, a Thailand's northern region with
moderate incidence of leptopirosis. Travelers had normal white
blood cell counts and low platelets, suggesting leptospirosis
after ruling out other imported diseases such as malaria, dengue
or typhoid. CONCLUSION: As recent findings point out, low
platelets and normal white blood cell counts are clinical
features that could help the clinician to suspect Leptospirosis
infection. It should be always considered as a cause of fever,
particularly if travelers come from a tropical country and have
had contact with water or flooding, especially during rainy
season