Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a rodent-borne virus belonging to the family Arenaviridae, genus Arenavirus, which causes a wide spectrum of human disease. However, data on LCMV infection in Spain is scant. To investigate whether this virus causes infection in Spain, 400 serum samples from the general population (191 males, 209 females) and 100 from wild rodents were studied by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using L-929 cells infected with LCMV. The study was performed in the "Community of Madrid," a region with both rural and urban areas in different ecological settings. Of the 400 human serum samples tested, antibodies against LCMV were detected in 7 (1.7%). No statistical differences in prevalence were found with respect to either age or rural or urban residence, but differences were seen with respect to sex. Nine (9%) of the rodent serum samples were positive. These results confirm the occurrence of LCMV infections in Man and rodents in Spain.

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The performance of an ELISA for detection of total antibodies to Brucella spp. was compared with that of the Rose Bengal, standard agglutination and Coombs test in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Sera tested were from 208 patients from whom Brucella melitensis had been isolated, 177 patients with significant results in at least two conventional tests, and 107 patients with fever from whom no Brucella spp. had been isolated and in whom all conventional tests were negative. ELISA was the most sensitive test (97%), showing greater specificity (96%) and good predictive positive and negative values (98% and 94% respectively). ELISA was the only positive test in 6% of patients in whom brucellosis had been confirmed by culture.

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Data relating to Rickettsia typhi infection in Spain are scarce. The seroprevalence of canine infection with this species has now been investigated, in dogs from the central province of Soria. The results of indirect immunofluorescence assays indicated that nine (12.3%) of the 73 dogs checked were carrying antibodies against R. typhi. The gender, age and breed of the dog, and whether it was used for hunting, shepherding, guarding or simply as a pet, apparently had no significant affect on the probability of it being seropositive. Being infested with fleas or having a history of such infestation was, however, significantly associated with seropositivity. The present results confirm that dogs may be infected with R. typhi and indicate their potential usefulness as sentinels in epidemiological studies of the pathogen. The results of wide-scale, serological studies of dogs may allow the geographical distribution of R. typhi to be mapped relatively simply.

It was the aim of the present study to evaluate Borrelia burgdorferi antibody prevalence in the province of Madrid, located in central Spain. A total of 1825 serum samples from the general population were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Specific B. burgdorferi antibodies were found in 63 (3.45%) of the samples. Statistical differences were found according to sex.