Search

Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic. In many countries, these events have resulted in the implementation of measures directed toward preventing and responding to bioterrorist threats and acts. As a whole, these measures are known as biodefense. This article briefly analyzes several aspects related to detecting and identifying acts of bioterrorism, and considers the biological agents that are implicated. The microbiological diagnosis that allows identification of the causal agent, a key point for taking suitable control measures, is also included.

Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a multi-organ infection with dermatological, rheumatological, neurological, and cardiac manifestations. The main characteristic is a skin lesion, named erythema migrans. Relapsing fever, caused by numerous species of Borrelia, is characterized by a periodic cycle of acute and afebrile episodes. The serological diagnosis of these infections has limited value in sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Lyme borreliosis is usually diagnosed by recognition of a characteristic clinical picture with serological confirmation, and the diagnosis of relapsing fever relies on direct observation of spirochetes in peripherical blood. The elected treatment is almost always tetracycline for the young or for adults but not for pregnant women, although betalactamic (such as penicillin or 3rd generation cephalosporin for the central nervous system) or macrolides are indicated in several situations. The prognosis, with adequate treatment, is good. In the majority of Spanish regions, due to the low incidence of these diseases, the prophylactic antimicrobial treatment after a tick bite is not indicated.

Fundamento y objetivo El objetivo del studio ha sido describir un brote de fiebre Q en un colectivo (centro de dia para discapacitados psiquicos) con antecedente de exposicion a animales en una granja-escuela. Pacientes y metodo Se ha realizado un studio de cohortes retrospectivo entre los 25 usuarios y los 30 trabajadores del centro. Se recabo informacion referente a exposicion, sintomas y signos de enfermedad y se establecio una definicion clinicoepidemiologica de caso. En 29 personas (5 usuarios y 24 trabajadores del centro) se procesaron muestras para serologia (inmunofluorescencia indirecta para Coxiella burnetii). Resultados Se detectaron 22 casos de fiebre Q. Diez se confirmaron por serologia (6 de ellos asintomaticos). Entre los 16 casos clinicos los sintomas mas frecuentes fueron fiebre (100%), anorexia (81,3%), astenia (68,8%) y tos no productiva (56,3%). El riesgo de infeccion aguda se estimo en 8,6 veces mayor entre las personas del colectivo que acudieron a la granja-escuela (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,26-58,27). Conclusiones La investigacion de los antecedents epidemiologicos permitio detectar y confirmar un brote de fiebre Q, identificar la probable fuente de exposicion y orientar el diagnostico clinico y serologico.

Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic. In many countries, these events have resulted in the implementation of measures directed toward preventing and responding to bioterrorist threats and acts. As a whole, these measures are known as biodefense. This article briefly analyzes several aspects related to detecting and identifying acts of bioterrorism, and considers the biological agents that are implicated. The microbiological diagnosis that allows identification of the causal agent, a key point for taking suitable control measures, is also included.

The aim of this study was to describe an outbreak of Q fever in a group of people (day care centre for mental-handicapped individuals) previously exposed to animals in a school-farm.A retrospective cohort study among the 25 mental-handicapped individuals and the 30 workers of the centre was performed. The information about symptoms and signs and antecedents of exposition was obtained by an epidemiological survey and a clinical-epidemiological case definition was established. Serum samples from 29 people (5 mental-handicapped individuals and 24 workers) were processed for serology (Indirect Immunofluorescence against Coxiella burnetii).Twenty two cases of Q fever were detected. Ten were confirmed by serology (6 of them asymptomatic). More frequent symptoms were fever (100%), anorexia (81.3%), asthenia (68.8%) and non-productive cough (56.3%) among the 16 clinical cases. The risk of acute infection was 8.6 times higher in individuals of the centre that visited the school-farm (95% CI, 1.26-58.27).The investigation of the epidemiological antecedents allowed to detect and confirm a Q fever outbreak, to identify the probable source of exposition and to orientate the clinical and serological diagnosis.

Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a multi-organ infection with dermatological, rheumatological, neurological, and cardiac manifestations. The main characteristic is a skin lesion, named erythema migrans. Relapsing fever, caused by numerous species of Borrelia, is characterized by a periodic cycle of acute and afebrile episodes. The serological diagnosis of these infections has limited value in sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Lyme borreliosis is usually diagnosed by recognition of a characteristic clinical picture with serological confirmation, and the diagnosis of relapsing fever relies on direct observation of spirochetes in peripherical blood. The elected treatment is almost always tetracycline for the young or for adults but not for pregnant women, although betalactamic (such as penicillin or 3rd generation cephalosporin for the central nervous system) or macrolides are indicated in several situations. The prognosis, with adequate treatment, is good. In the majority of Spanish regions, due to the low incidence of these diseases, the prophylactic antimicrobial treatment after a tick bite is not indicated.