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Introduction: Members of the genus Enterovirus are usually investigated for their etiological role in neurological syndromes. However, they are often associated with other syndromes such as febrile illness, acute respiratory infection and exanthema. In this study, clinical and epidemiological data from five subjects with infection by the recently described enterovirus 75 were analyzed in the province of Granada (Spain)., Methods: Diagnosis at the genus level was carried out by viral culture in MRC-5 and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Isolate serotypes were determined by RT-PCR of a fragment of the VP1 region and subsequent sequencing of the PCR products., Results: Among the five enterovirus 75 isolated, two were detected in children with aseptic meningitis (1 month and 12 years old) and three in subjects with non-neurological syndromes, i.e. acute respiratory infection, febrile illness and gastroenteritis (all were aged less than one year). The five cases were detected between December 2005 and May 2006. All patients recovered without sequelae., Conclusion: These data demonstrate that enterovirus 75 circulates in the south of Spain and indicate that this enterovirus serotype may be implicated in less severe non-neurological syndromes, particularly in younger children, and mainly during the cold months of the year.

Introduction: Worldwide poliomyelitis eradication was proposed in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO), based on reaching and maintaining high vaccination coverage and on implementing effective poliovirus infection surveillance systems., Methods: In Spain the surveillance system focuses on active searching for acute flaccid paralysis cases through a nine-laboratory network, coordinated by the National Poliovirus Laboratory (NPL) in the National Center of Microbiology, and supported by Autonomous Community epidemiologists. Additionally, the Network sends enterovirus isolation data from other syndromes. The Laboratory Network is responsible for the primary virological study, while the NPL characterizes all polioviruses and the most epidemiologically relevant non-polio enteroviruses., Results: A total of 54,533 samples were studied during the six-year period, and enteroviruses were detected in 9%. All the polioviruses isolated (n = 196), were characterized as Sabin-like (poliovirus vaccine), and among the non-polio enteroviruses, the most frequent was Echovirus 30. A total of 3% of the samples studied corresponded to the 268 acute flaccid paralysis cases or their contacts., Discussion: According to the results and the WHO virological classification, Spain can be considered polio-free. However, the geographic situation of our country may facilitate the introduction of wild polioviruses that can give rise to imported poliomyelitis. Hence, the laboratory network should actively continue to participate in all the proposed WHO strategies, particularly maintenance of the poliomyelitis eradication infrastructures, and continuing monitoring and vaccination.