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Resumen Introduccion En Espana, al igual que en otros paises donde el sarampion endemico ha sido eliminado, es necesario utilizar de forma rutinaria las herramientas diagnosticas que confirmen los casos para su prevencion y control de la diseminacion. Se describen los diferentes ensayos microbiologicos utilizados para su diagnostico durante un brote de sarampion en 2019 en la provincia de Guadalajara (Espana). Metodos Las pruebas serologicas y moleculares se realizaron en el laboratorio de Microbiologia del Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara y en el Centro Nacional de Microbiologia del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Majadahonda, Espana). Los datos de los pacientes se obtuvieron del sistema epidemiologico de vigilancia. Resultados Se diagnosticaron de sarampion un total de 43 pacientes por metodos microbiologicos: 29 casos por PCR (exudado faringeo u orina) junto con IgM especifica positiva, 11 pacientes solamente por PCR, y 3 pacientes exclusivamente por presencia de IgM. El genotipo D8 fue identificado en 35 pacientes y el genotipo A en 2 casos descartados como postvacunal. La PCR en suero fue positiva en 11 de 14 pacientes con ausencia de IgM en su primera muestra recogida de suero. Once casos confirmados habian recibido una o 2 dosis de la vacuna. Doce adultos fueron ingresados, todos diagnosticados de hepatitis. Conclusiones La combinacion de pruebas moleculares y la presencia de IgG e IgM especificas son necesarias para un diagnostico correcto y la clasificacion de los pacientes como fallo vacunal (primario o secundario). El genotipado es una herramienta fundamental para la correcta clasificacion de los pacientes en el contexto de un programa de eliminacion del sarampion.

In Spain, like in other countries where endemic measles has been eliminated, there is a need for available diagnostic tools for confirming any cases in order to prevent and control its transmission. We describe the different microbiological tests used for the diagnosis of measles during an outbreak that occurred in 2019 in the province of Guadalajara (Spain).Serological and molecular tests were performed at the Microbiology laboratory of the Guadalajara University Hospital and at the National Center for Microbiology of the Carlos III Health Institute (Majadahonda, Spain). Patient data were obtained from the surveillance system.A total of 43 patients had a laboratory diagnosis of measles: 29 cases by PCR (pharyngeal exudate or urine) and positive specific IgM, 11 cases by PCR, and 3 cases only by a positive IgM. Genotype D8 was identified in 35 confirmed cases and genotype A in 2 that were discarded as post-vaccination cases. PCR was positive in the acute sera of 11 out of 14 patients with a negative IgM. Eleven confirmed cases had recieved one or 2 vaccine doses. Twelve adult patients were hospitalizated, all of them with a diagnostic of hepatitis.The combination of molecular tests and the presence of specific IgG and IgM are necessary for a correct diagnosis of measles and also to classify patients with a breakthrough infection or vaccine failures (primary or secondary). Genotyping is essential for the correct classification of the patients in the context of a measles elimination program.

España presenta una situación peculiar Europa, ya que nunca se vio afectada por la epizootia europea de rabia vulpina, pero mantiene un tráfico intenso de bienes y personas con territorios altamente endémicos del norte de África, e incluso fronteras terrestres enCeuta y Melilla, lo que nos coloca en una situación vulnerable en cuanto a importación de casos. Por otra parte, sabemos de la presencia de dos de los lisavirus de murciélago europeos en nuestro territorio. El laboratorio es un elemento esencial en la vigilancia que se hace imprescindible ante esta situación. El Centro Nacional de Microbiología lleva más de treinta años actuando de laboratorio nacional de referencia en apoyo de los laboratorios autonómicos existentes y haciendo diagnóstico para el resto del territorio, además de representar a España en la red europea de laboratorios RABNET. Así, en el CNM se han diagnosticado y caracterizado la gran mayoría de los casos declarados en España en este período, tanto de rabia de murciélagos, como de rabia importada animal y humana. De manera complementaria a esta actividad de vigilancia, se realizan investigaciones tanto sobre rabia canina como de murciélagos, que, desde hace años, se han ampliado a otros agentes víricos asociados a murciélagos, Spain shows peculiarities regarding rabies in Europe. It was not affected by the European vulpine epizootic but keeps an intense traffic of goods and people with highly endemic territories in North Africa and even has terrestrial boundaries in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. This makes Spain particularly vulnerable to importation of rabies cases. On the other hand,we know the presence in Spain of two of the five bat lyssaviruses endemic from Europe. The laboratory is an essential tool for the surveillance that is strictly necessary to keep in order to handle this situation. The National Center of Microbiology (CNM)provides support to autonomic laboratories, makes primary diagnosis for the rest of the territory and represents Spain in the European laboratory net RABNET from more than thirty years to now, according to its role of National Reference Laboratory. Duringthis period, the CNM has diagnosed and characterized most rabies cases declared in Spain, including both bat rabies and imported animal and human cases. Associated to these surveillance activities, the CNM makes research in the field of canine and bat rabies, which has been extended to other bat-associated viruses in the last years.

We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a child who presented with severe zonal hepatic necrosis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation secondary to infection with the rubella virus RA27/3 vaccine strain.

Resumen Introduccion El sarampion es una infeccion casi erradicada que en los ultimos anos esta reemergiendo en Espana y en Europa. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las caracteristicas microbiologicas y clinico-epidemiologicas de un brote de sarampion ocurrido en la provincia de Guadalajara de junio a agosto de 2012. Metodos Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se analizaron 117 muestras (suero, orina y exudado faringeo) de 52 casos sospechosos de sarampion. Resultados Se confirmaron 50 casos de sarampion, 41 por laboratorio y 9 por vinculo epidemiologico, agrupados en 4 brotes comunitarios. No se observaron casos importados. La IgM y la PCR fueron positivas en 25 pacientes, solo PCR en 11 y solo IgM en 5. El genotipo fue D4 en 13/14 cepas y genotipo A en un caso posvacunal. Los grupos de edades mas afectados fueron adultos entre 20 y 34 anos (38%) y menores de 15 meses (26%). El 88% de pacientes no estaban vacunados (43% etnia gitana, 27% menores de 15 meses, 11% razones ideologicas), y el 6% habia recibido una dosis. La clinica fue exantema y fiebre (100%), tos (82%) y conjuntivitis (50%). El 32% requirio hospitalizacion y el 28% presento complicaciones. Conclusion Es de especial importancia intensificar la vigilancia epidemiologica en infecciones en fase de eliminacion. El aumento de la incidencia de sarampion estuvo asociado a bolsas de no vacunados que representan un desafio para la salud publica, que debera elaborar estrategias para conseguir una elevada cobertura vacunal y alcanzar la erradicacion del sarampion.

Fundamento: Recientemente se han registrado brotes de parotiditis en España y en otros países desarrollados. Los motivos barajados son la baja cobertura vacunal de las poblaciones afectadas y/o la baja efectividad de las cepas vacunales empleadas. Este trabajo describe un brote de parotiditis ocurrido en Bizkaia y valora la efectividad de las cepas vacunales y la utilidad de las pruebas diagnósticas actualmente empleadas. Métodos: Se etiquetaron como casos aquéllos con clínica compatible y vínculo epidemiológico en el periodo de estudio (febrero-mayo-2006). Se recogieron muestras de sangre para estudio de IgM e IgG y de saliva para detección de RNA y genotipo. Se averiguó el estado vacunal y la cepa empleada mediante los registros del reparto vacunal. Se realizó un análisis univariante de los datos y se obtuvieron riesgos relativos según las cepas vacunales empleadas. Resultados: Se detectaron 63 casos; 52 eran alumnos del mismo colegio. El 50% tenía entre 9 y 13 años. El 88,5% de los casos del colegio estaba correctamente vacunado. La sensibilidad de la IgM fue del 9% y la de la PCR del 37%. El riesgo relativo de los alumnos vacunados con una primera dosis de cepa Rubini frente a los vacunados con cepa Jeryl-Lynn fue de 3,8 (IC95% 2,27-6,49). Conclusiones: La elevada cobertura vacunal no impide el desarrollo de brotes en lugares con un alto grado de exposición. La IgM se muestra poco sensible para el diagnóstico de parotiditis. Parece necesario replantearse las estrategias vacunales y los métodos diagnósticos actuales.

Background: Compelling arguments exist for a role of infectious agent in giant cell arteritis (GCA). Parvovirus B19 and several herpesviruses have focussed the attention in recent years, but the few studies to date have yielded inconsistent results. Objectives: To study the relationship between the presence of parvovirus B19 DNA or major known herpesviruses and the histopathological features of GCA. Study design: Between January 1997 and March 2002, 147 consecutive temporal artery biopsies were performed in our center because of a clinical suspicion of GCA. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures validated by the World Health Organization and employed routinely by our laboratory, we examined the paraffin-embedded specimens for DNA from parvovirus B19, herpes simplex viruses (HSV) 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). We investigated positive results further with immunohistochemistry studies. Results: Fifty of the 147 temporal artery biopsies (34%) showed histological features of GCA. Three biopsies (2.5%) were initially PCR positive for parvovirus B19. None of the herpesvirus PCR assays were positive. Upon repeat testing by both PCR and immunohistochemistry, none of the three initially positive parvovirus B19 assays were confirmed. The results of both positive and negative control assays in these studies validated these findings. We confirmed the presence of amplifiable DNA in the temporal artery biopsy specimens using PCR primers for beta-globin and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Conclusions: The results of our study do not support a role in the etiopathogenesis of GCA for either parvovirus B19 or any of these six herpesviruses.

Measles is a viral infection that was almost eradicated, but it is re-emerging in Spain and Europe in recent years. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a measles outbreak that occurred in Guadalajara (Spain) from June to August 2012.A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. A total of 117 samples (including serum, urine and pharyngeal swabs) from 52 patients were analyzed for measles.Measles was diagnosed in 50 patients, 41 of them by microbiological diagnosis, and 9 by epidemiological link. The patients were grouped in four community outbreaks. No imported cases were observed. Positive IgM and positive CRP were detected in 25 patients, positive CRP only in 11 and positive IgM only in 5. The genotype D4 was identified in 13 patients and the genotype A in a post-vaccine case. The age groups most affected were adults between 20-34 years of age (38%) and younger than 15 months (26%). The large majority (86%) of patients were unvaccinated (44% Roma population, 27% younger than 15 months, 11% ideological reasons), 6% had one vaccine dose. The signs/symptoms were: rash and fever, 100%, cough, 82%, and conjunctivitis 50%. Almost one-third (32%) of patients were hospitalized, and 28% had complications.It is very important to intensify the epidemiological surveillance of infections in the elimination phase. The increased incidence of measles was associated to unvaccinated pockets, presenting a challenge for Public Health Centers. These agencies should prepare strategies to obtain a higher vaccine coverage for the eradication of measles.

Outbreaks of parotiditis have recently been recorded in Spain and in other developed countries. The possible reasons currently under consideration are the low degree of immunization coverage among the populations involved and/or the low degree of effectiveness of the vaccine strains employed. This study describes one outbreak of parotiditis having occurred in Bizkaia and assesses, the effectiveness of the vaccine strains and the usefulness of the diagnostic tests currently used.Those cases having compatible clinical symptoms and an epidemiological link within the period under study (February-May 2006) were labeled as cases. Blood samples were taken to study IgM and IgG and saliva for genotype and RNA detection. The immunization status and the strain used were found through the vaccine distribution records. A univariate analysis was conducted on the data and relative risks calculated according to the vaccine strains used.A total of 63 cases were detected, 52 being students from one school. Fifty percent were 9-13 years of age. A total of 88.5% of the cases detected at the school had been properly immunized. The IgM sensitivity was 9%, PCR sensitivity being 37%. The relative risk of those students immunized with an initial dose of Rubini strain as compared to those immunized with Jeryl-Lynn strain was 3.8 (95% CI:2.27-6.49).The high degree of immunization coverage does not prevent outbreaks from occurring in places having a high degree of exposure. The IgM reveals itself to be sensitive to a very small degree for the diagnosis of parotiditis. It seems necessary that the current immunization strategies and diagnostic methods be reconsidered.