SummaryOne of the authors contracted a Zika virus infection during laboratory work. Subsequent studies revealed an immunological response of the anamnestie type due to preceding yellow fever vaccinations which rendered difficult etiological diagnosis had it not been possible to isolate the virus from the serum sample collected during the acute phase ot the disease.The authors comment on the possible importance of similar eases encountered in tropical countries when dignosis is based merely on the serological conversion from the acute phase to the convalescent phase of the disease.

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SUMMARYTwelve rickettsial isolates, from Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus and Hyalomma marginatus, were subjected to genotypic analysis. Amplification of specific DNA sequences, restriction endonuclease digestion of amplified DNA products, and gel electrophoresis were used to identify specific DNA fragment-banding patterns. Five patterns were resolved. Four were homologous with those of previously described rickettsial genotypes, R. conorii, R. slovaca, R. rhipicephali and R. massiliae. The fifth pattern differed by only a single altered restriction endonuclease cleavage site. For the first time in Portugal a widely distributed spectrum of spotted fever group rickettsia was found among potential vector species stressing the need to determine their potential for human and domestic animals infection.

Specific IgG antibodies against BK virus measured by ELISA were used as a marker of previous infection. Results with sera from healthy people of different counties in Portugal were compared with previous findings in Norwegian sera. No significant difference between the prevalence and level of BKV IgG could be found between Portugal and Norway, and when comparing the different counties of Portugal. Thus, the way of transmission seemed to follow the same routes both in rural and urban counties in Portugal, and in Norway.