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Gymnodinium gracile, described from the coasts of Denmark in 1881, is one of the first described unarmored dinoflagellates. Individuals which morphologically fit with the original description were isolated from the English Channel (North‐East Atlantic). The SSU rRNA gene sequences were identical to the sequences identified as Balechina pachydermata and Gymnodinium amphora from the Mediterranean Sea and Brazil. We propose the transfer of Gymnodinium gracile into the genus Balechina as B. gracilis comb. nov. These sequences constitute an independent lineage, clustering with numerous environmental sequences from polar to tropical waters. The widespread distribution, the high plasticity in size, shape and coloration and the difficulties in discerning the fine longitudinal striae have contributed to the description of numerous synonyms: Amphidinium vasculum, Balechina pachydermata (=Gymnodinium pachydermatum), Gymnodinium achromaticum, G. abbreviatum, G. amphora, G. dogielii, G. lohmannii (=G. roseum sensu Lohmann 1908), G. situla and Gyrodinium cuneatum (=G. gracile sensu Pouchet 1885).

Meat quality of Iberian pigs is defined by the combination of their genetic characteristics and the particular production system. To carry out a genetic analysis of the main meat quality traits, we estimated their heritabilities, genetic correlations and the association effects of 32 selected SNPs of 12 candidate genes. A total of ten traits were measured in longissimus dorsi samples from 1,199 Iberian pigs fattened in the traditional free-range system: water holding capacity (thawing, cooking and centrifuge force water losses), instrumental colour (lightness L*, redness a* and yellowness b*), myoglobin content, shear force on cooked meat, and shear force and maximum compression force on dry-cured loin. Estimated heritability values were low to moderate (0.01 to 0.43) being the lowest for L* and the highest for cooking loss. Strong genetic correlations between water holding capacity traits (0.93 to 0.96) and between myoglobin content and a* (0.94) were observed. The association analyses revealed 19 SNPs significantly associated with different traits. Consistent and strong effects were observed between PRKAG3 SNPs (rs319678464G > C and rs330427832C > T), MYH3_rs81437544T > C, CASP3_rs319658214G > T and CTSL_rs332171512A > G and water losses. Also for CAPN1_rs81358667G > A and CASP3_rs319658214G > T and shear force. The SNPs mapping on PRKAG3 showed the highest effects on Minolta colour traits. Genotyping of these SNPs could be useful for the selection of Iberian young boars with similar estimated breeding values for productive traits.

This paper explores the role of supplier performance measures (scorecards and others) in the internal design of relational contracts. We analyze a simple supplier–buyer repeated interaction in which incentives arise by the threat of terminating the relationship—temporarily or permanently. As the periods with no‐trade reduce the value of the relationship, the optimal relational contract minimizes the equilibrium punishment while preserving the supplier's incentives. We show that making the relational penalties conditional on additional supplier's performance measures increases total surplus. We also provide a rationale for “forgiveness” in relational contracting. The buyer may optimally forgive (decide not to sanction at all or to impose a lesser sanction) the supplier despite a bad outcome when some additional information is positive. We start with a binary performance measure, but we extend our analysis to more complex performance measures such as scorecards. Finally, we rank the scorecards in terms of their informativeness and we characterize the optimal investment in the design and improvement of these performance measures. Juan‐José Ganuza gratefully acknowledges the support of the Barcelona GSE Research, the government of Catalonia, and the project PID2020‐115044GB‐I00//AEI/10.13039/501100011033 of the AEI, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Fernando Gomez acknowledges the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under project DER 2017‐82673‐R.

The disproportionately low presence of marine species in the list of invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern of the European Union (EU) Regulation 1143/2014 does not fully acknowledge the threat they pose to the EU marine environment. In this study, the first EU-scale Horizon Scanning (HS) focusing on marine alien species was performed, aiming to deliver a ranked list of species that should be of high priority for risk assessment (Article 5 of the EU IAS Regulation). Species absent from or with a limited distribution in EU marine waters were targeted. In total, 363 alien species were initially screened for HS by a panel of experts, including a broad range of taxonomic groups. Species were scored for their likelihood of arrival, establishment, spread, and impact in EU waters. A consensus workshop ranked 267 species, including a subset of 26 prioritized species. These species are considered to be mainly introduced by shipping (fouling and ballast water), via the Suez Canal, and aquaculture activities. The 26 priority species were also scrutinized in terms of feasibility of their management; 18 of them were suggested for performing risk assessments on the basis of the EU IAS Regulation. Since biological invasions are dynamic and connected with accelerated globalization and diversified human activities, we recommend HS to be repeated periodically to review the species already listed and assess new ones.

This study examines the effect of integrating sustainability into corporate strategy on various aspects of shareholder value creation and financial performance in the British capital market. The employed method is based on the content analysis of corporate disclosures and a new technique for assessing the adoption of the corporate sustainability concept (embracing the environmental, social, and financial aspects of a company's policies at the same time). Using extensive data of FTSE 350 firms covering the years 2006–2012, 65 companies were selected as meeting corporate sustainability criteria. For the above period, we find that these firms were characterized by higher financial risk exposure, lower asset growth rates, lower BV/MV ratios, lower EVA ratios, and higher MVA ratios. Such relations were generally present among different size and industry groupings. The results support the thesis that firms that incorporate sustainability issues into their business operations are better able to leverage their resources toward stronger financial performance and shareholder value creation than other companies. The paper contributes to the literature by offering a more holistic approach to corporate sustainable performance measurement and shedding additional light on its relation to financial performance in the context of the recent global financial crisis and its direct aftermath.

The dinoflagellate genus Coolia, which contains potentially toxic species, is an important component of epiphytic assemblages in marine ecosystems. The morphology of C. malayensis has been illustrated from strains isolated in Asia and Oceania. In this study, strains of C. malayensis isolated from the Caribbean Sea in Puerto Rico, and for the first time from the South Atlantic Ocean in Brazil, were investigated by light, epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopies. No significant morphological differences between these new strains and other geographically distant strains of C. malayensis were observed. In the LSU rDNA phylogeny, the C. malayensis sequences from Brazil and Puerto Rico branched within the clade of strains from Oceania and Asia. The recently described species C. santacroce branched as a sister group of C. monotis, and C. palmyrensis was basal to the combined group of C. monotis/C. malayensis/C. santacroce. A tentative undescribed species from Florida and New Zealand branched as a sister group of C. malayensis. Our results confirm that C. malayensis showed a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical to subtropical waters, while the type species C. monotis remains endemic for the Mediterranean Sea and the temperate North Atlantic.

Exercises after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation may help to improve maturation; however, their usefulness has only been examined in indirect, non-comparative studies or small trials. Between June 2013 and November 2014, we included all ambulatory patients with stages 5-5D chronic kidney disease who were candidates for the creation of a native AVF in our center. After surgery, all patients were randomized to an exercise group or a control group with single-blind control. At 1 month postoperatively, clinical maturation (expert nurse inspection) and ultrasonographic maturation (flow >500 mL/min, venous diameter >5 mm and depth

The dinoflagellate genus Chytriodinium, an ectoparasite of copepod eggs, is reported for the first time in the North and South Atlantic Oceans. We provide the first large subunit rDNA (LSU rDNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences, which were identical in both hemispheres for the Atlantic Chytriodinium sp. The first complete small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) of the Atlantic Chytriodinium sp. suggests that the specimens belong to an undescribed species. This is the first evidence of the split of the Gymnodinium clade: one for the parasitic forms of Chytriodiniaceae (Chytriodinium, Dissodinium), and other clade for the free-living species.

RNA polymerase II backtracking is a well-known phenomenon, but its involvement in gene regulation is yet to be addressed. Structural studies into the backtracked complex, new reactivation mechanisms and genome-wide approaches are shedding some light on this interesting aspect of gene transcription. In this review, we briefly summarise these new findings, comment about some results recently obtained in our laboratory, and propose a new model for the influence of the chromatin context on RNA polymerase II backtracking. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España. BFU2007-67575-C03-02 y BFU-2010-21975-C03-03 Junta de Andalucía. P07-CVI-02623 y P08-CVI-03508

Semithin sections of colonies of three ATCC strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans) showed that their internal structure had specific patterns that evolved over the time. These patterns generally were defined by the presence of different layers composed of microorganisms with variable population densities and dead cells. The observed structures in this study could be explained as a particular form of biofilm with an air-semisolid interface.

Culture-independent molecular methods based on the amplification, cloning and sequencing of small-subunit (SSU) rRNA genes are a powerful tool to study the diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms for which morphological features are not conspicuous. In recent years, molecular data from environmental surveys have revealed several clades of protists lacking cultured and/or described members. Among them are various clades of marine stramenopiles (heterokonts), which are thought to play an essential ecological role as grazers, being abundant and distributed in oceans worldwide. In this work, we show that Solenicola setigera, a distinctive widespread colonial marine protist, is a member of the environmental clade MArine STramenopile 3 (MAST-3). Solenicola is generally considered as a parasite or an epiphyte of the diatom Leptocylindrus mediterraneus. So far, the ultrastructural, morphological and ecological data available were insufficient to elucidate its phylogenetic position, even at the division or class level. We determined SSU rRNA gene sequences of S. setigera specimens sampled from different locations and seasons in the type locality, the Gulf of Lions, France. They were closely related, though not identical, which, together with morphological differences under electron microscopy, suggest the occurrence of several species. Solenicola sequences were well nested within the MAST-3 clade in phylogenetic trees. Since Solenicola is the first identified member of this abundant marine clade, we propose the name Solenicolida for the MAST-3 phylogenetic group.

Diagnostic tests for toxoplasmosis are based on serological techniques due to their high sensitivity. Some IgG subclasses are related to clinical outcome in the congenital form. In this work, we determined the levels of IgG, IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired saliva and serum samples from 91 women by indirect ELISA using a crude extract of the RH strain. The levels of IgA, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 antibodies and, to a lesser extent, IgG1 did not correlate between saliva and serum, that is, most cases that were positive for one Ig class in a sample were negative or very low in the other, and vice versa. We also observed that most samples of saliva that were positive for one IgG subclass were also positive for at least 2 of the other 3; this contrasted with findings in serum, wherein each person was positive almost exclusively for one subclass, as demonstrated before by us and other researchers. Although these findings are disappointing for the use in diagnosis, the richer response in saliva might indicate local exposure to T. gondii antigens without systemic infection; thus, saliva might be reflecting a local (protective?) response against this protozoan.

Aim The aim of this work was to identify the main changes in the floraand vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula over the Cenozoic Era, to record thedisappearance of taxa associated with these changes and to determine theinfluence of climate and human activity on these events.Location The Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands.Methods A critical review was made of the palaeobotanical literature with theaims of detecting patterns of floristic change and extracting information on thedisappearance of different taxa over the Cenozoic. These data are viewedalongside the most recent data for the climate of this period. A critical analysis ismade of the role of Palaeotropical and Arctotertiary taxa in the forestcommunities of the Iberian Peninsula throughout the Cenozoic.Results Although the Eocene–Oligocene transition was a time when many taxadisappeared, the most outstanding events occurred between the end of theOligocene and throughout the Miocene. Substantial floristic changes took placeover this period, including the disappearance of 177 Palaeotropical taxa. This wasprobably related to acute cooling and aridification; no evidence exists that theMessinian Salinity Crisis had any important effect in the Iberian Peninsula. Thelast great disappearance of Palaeotropical taxa (36 in total) ended in the Middle–Late Piacenzian; Arctotertiary taxa were most affected during the Pleistocene. TheLower–Middle Pleistocene transition, best represented by marine isotopic stages(MIS) 36–34 and 20–18 and characterized by a change in glacial cyclicity, was thetime of the last notable disappearance of taxa.Main conclusions This work provides the first chronogram of extinctions forthe Iberian flora, and records the disappearance of 277 taxa during the Cenozoic.A clear relationship was detected between the main climatic events and the latestappearances of the different taxa.KeywordsBalearic Islands, Cenozoic, floristic change, historical biogeography, IberianPeninsula, palaeobotany, palaeoclimate, palaeoecology, plant geography,Quaternary.

Background. Brown tumor occasionally affects the facial bones. Clinically, these lesions can be mistaken for a neo- plasm. Opinions are divided on the course of management of the bony lesions once parathyroidectomy has been carried out. Methods. We treated 22 patients with primary hyperparathy- roidism and osteitis fibrosa cystica and observed their clinical and biochemical recovery. Results. Fifteen patients (68.2%) had brown tumors in mandible, and 7 (31.8%) in maxilla. After parathyroidectomy, 21 patients had normal total serum calcium values. All brown tumors presented a spontaneous progressive regression; in 18 cases, regression was total, with a mean time period of 10 months. Two patients had partial regression after nearly 2 years. Another 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusions. After successful parathyroid surgery, the bony lesions tended to regress spontaneously, either partially or com- pletely. However, if the lesion is disfiguring or symptomatic, sur- gical excision may be indicated. V C 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 30: 1497-1504, 2008

Aim To reconstruct the historical biogeography of Pinus sylvestris in the Cantabrian Range (Iberian Peninsula) during the Holocene, and to consider the interactions between vegetation dynamics, climate change and the role of man in the present-day distribution of the species. Location The study site is a mire (1300 m a.s.l.) at Vega de Viejos, on a south-facing slope of the western Cantabrian Range, Spain. The region’s present-day landscape is almost treeless, with the exception of some patches of Quercus pyrenaica and a few copses of Salix and Betula along stream banks. Methods Tree macrofossils from Vega de Viejos were studied by transmitted light and dark-field reflection microscopy; strobili were subjected to comparative morphological analyses. Two Pinus macrofossils were dated by conventional 14C methods. Results The taxonomic accuracy achieved in the identification of the macrofossils provided new information regarding the Holocene history of Pinus sylvestris in this territory. Ninety-five cones of this species were identified; in fact, more than 80% of the 36 identified wood remains were of Pinus gr. sylvestris. Radiocarbon dating revealed that the forest to which the fossils belonged was present until at least 2170 ± 50 yr bp– its disappearance was therefore relatively recent. Main conclusions Pinus sylvestris suffered long-term isolation, and after the Wurm glacial period tended to migrate towards the east. In western Iberia, a temperate climate and autogenic succession favoured broadleaved taxa at the expense of Pinus. Late Holocene human disturbances may have further accelerated the decline of P. sylvestris; in the Cantabrian Range, only a few stands on southern slopes have persisted until the present day. The history of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), a bird characteristic of pure or mixed Palaeartic coniferous forests, was almost certainly affected by the demise of these forests in this area. Cantabrian capercaillies are the only members of this species that live in purely deciduous forests, perhaps a recent adaptation to the regional extinction of pines. Today’s P. sylvestris and capercaillie populations are now highly fragmented and their future, given the predictions of global climate change, is uncertain.

Aim To investigate biogeographical patterns based on published dinoflagellate records from the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and to provide a tentative list of endemic and Indo-Pacific dinoflagellates in the Mediterranean Sea. Location Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea. Methods Checklists of dinoflagellates of the Mediterranean and Black Seas were compared with worldwide literature records. Only species reported in the Indo-Pacific Ocean or exclusively known in the Mediterranean Sea were selected for biogeographical analysis. Results Dinoflagellates in the Mediterranean Sea comprised c. 43% of the world marine species and c. 88% of the dinoflagellate genera. Species richness among the Mediterranean sub-basins showed marked differences due to the less reliable records of unarmoured (athecate) and rare dinoflagellates. These differences disappeared when only the more easily identifiable taxa were considered. Of the 673 dinoflagellates cited in the Mediterranean, 87% were also reported in the Atlantic Ocean. Only 40 taxa (6% of the total) were considered to be potential Indo-Pacific species. Most were reported from the Ligurian Sea (21), and only two species from the Levantine basin. The other 48 taxa (7% of total) were known exclusively from the Mediterranean Sea, mainly from the Ligurian Sea. Half of these taxa were reported by a single author. Main conclusions Substantial dinoflagellates species richness can be attributed, in part, to the historical tradition of taxonomic studies in the Mediterranean Sea. The list of species of both Indo-Pacific and exclusively Mediterranean species included taxa of dubious taxonomic validity or that were insufficiently known. The exclusion of these questionable taxa revealed the near absence of endemic dinoflagellates in the Mediterranean Sea compared with macroscopic organisms. This could be related to: (1) continuous replenishment of the plankton populations by the inflow of Atlantic water through the Strait of Gibraltar, (2) the possibility that species introduced during the Pliocenic flooding after the Messinian salinity crisis have not had enough time to diverge from their Atlantic ancestors, and/or (3) the reliance on traditional taxonomy based on morphological characters, which precludes the detection of cryptic speciation.

The relationship between Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp) infection and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) was studied by analyzing clinical samples from 95 patients with PAD and 100 controls. The following investigations were conducted: IgG and IgA against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and against purified Cp-specific antigens from elementary bodies (EB) with ELISA; anti-EB IgG, with MIF; Cp DNA in arterial biopsy and peripheral blood mononuclear cells with heminested PCR; LPS with ELISA; and bacteria culture in HEp-2 cells from arterial biopsy. A significantly higher ratio of anti-EB IgG was detected in patients. There were no significant differences in anti-LPS IgG, anti-LPS IgA and anti-EB IgA between cases and controls. Cp DNA findings in the vascular wall biopsy showed significant differences between cases and controls. We obtained results that significantly involve Cp infection with PAD through the detection of anti-EB IgG from serum and bacterial DNA from arterial biopsy.

To evaluate a microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test (Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG, Vircell, Spain) that detects IgG against Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp), MRL Diagnostics MIF was used as reference test. Cross-reactivity against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Chlamydophila psittaci (Cps) was investigated. Eighty sera were analysed from 22 subjects with vascular disease, 38 with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy individuals. Vircell and MRL MIF tests assessed 58.75% and 60% of the samples as positive, respectively, and their results coincided (positive/negative) in 98.75% of samples. One major (>1 IgG titre) and 32 minor (1 titre) discrepancies were observed. Correlation between tests was significant. Vircell MIF test demonstrated 97.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Differences in simultaneous reactivity to Ct and Cps between the tests were not significant. Vircell MIF test showed a good performance to detect the IgG against Cp.

SUMMARY Previous records of dinoflagellate Scaphodinium mirabile Margalef (Leptodiscaceae, Noctilucales) were restricted to the Mediterranean-Black Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Nine and 34 specimens were observed in the upper 100 m layer in May and July, respectively, in a cross-section in the vicinity of the Kuroshio Current (NW Pacific Ocean). Nearly all the Lugol-fixed specimens appeared folded over themselves, an appearance that differs from the view reported in the scarce literature available.

Dinophysoid dinoflagellates are usually considered a large monophyletic group. Large subunit and small subunit (SSU) rDNA phylogenies suggest a basal position for Amphisoleniaceae (Amphisolenia,Triposolenia) with respect to two sister groups, one containing most Phalacroma species plus Oxyphysis and the other Dinophysis,Ornithocercus, Dinophysoid dinoflagellates are usually considered a large monophyletic group. Large subunit and small subunit (SSU) rDNA phylogenies suggest a basal position for Amphisoleniaceae (Amphisolenia,Triposolenia) with respect to two sister groups, one containing most Phalacroma species plus Oxyphysis and the other Dinophysis,Ornithocercus, Histioneis,Citharistes and some Phalacroma species. We provide here new SSU rDNA sequences of Pseudophalacroma (pelagic) and Sinophysis (the only benthic dinophysoid genus). Molecular phylogenies support that they are very divergent with respect to the main clade of Dinophysales. Additional molecular markers of these two key genera are needed to elucidate the evolutionary relations among the dinophysoid dinoflagellates. Histioneis,Citharistes and some Phalacroma species. We provide here new SSU rDNA sequences of Pseudophalacroma (pelagic) and Sinophysis (the only benthic dinophysoid genus). Molecular phylogenies support that they are very divergent with respect to the main clade of Dinophysales. Additional molecular markers of these two key genera are needed to elucidate the evolutionary relations among the dinophysoid dinoflagellates.

The location of glyoxylate-complex molecules has been investigated in several areas of the rat cerebral cortex using the immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Antibodies against glyoxylate-complex molecules have been developed in the rabbit after immunization with a glyoxylate-bovine serum albumin conjugate. Observations carried out with the light microscope demonstrated positive immunostaining at the membrane level of scattered neurons located in all cortical areas, mainly in cortical layer IV. The striate areas (17, 18, 18a) had both the greatest number of immunopositive neurons and the most intense ones. At the electron microscopic level, it was observed that in the striate areas an immunopositive reaction was located mainly in the periphery of synaptic vesicles of some nerve endings, and in both pre- and postsynaptic membranes of these synaptic structures. The presence of glyoxylic acid and glyoxylate-complex molecules in such areas leads us to suggest that these substances could play an important role in selected synaptic contacts in which some pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons are involved.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate propofol and midazolam as sleep inducers in drug-induced sleep endoscopy, for the topographic diagnosis of upper airway obstruction during sleep; compare one to the other as well as with natural sleep polysomnography results.Method: Prospective series of 16 patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea. Following physical examination and conventional polysomnography, sleep nasendoscopy along with simultaneous polysomnography was performed, obtaining apnea-hypopnea index, lowest oxygen saturation, apnea durations, and sleep cycle stages. The procedure was done with propofol and with midazolam.Results: There were 15 men and 1 woman; the mean age was 42.7 years old, mean body mass index 26.86. Average drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) duration was 20 minutes with propofol and 14.3 minutes with midazolam. The induced-sleep stage obtained was of phase 2. On 12 of the patients a whole-night polysomnography study was performed and compared with sleep nasendosco...

A 25-year-old black man had a 20-year history of disseminated plaques on his body. Two years before consultation he noticed several tumors on the genitalia. Physical examination revealed generalized, coalescing, hypopigmented plaques with a very defined and keratotic border that resembled actinic porokeratosis. (Fig. 1). Multiple verrucous and moist tumors were observed on the scrotum (Fig. 2). His past medical history was unremarkable, and no family member had the disease. Histology of the body lesions revealed hyperkeratosis with a horny-layer, basket-weave appearance, large and clear blue-gray keratinocytes with finely granular cytoplasm and vacuolized nuclei, and abundant keratohyaline granules located in the upper epidermal layer (Fig. 3). Scrotum biopsy showed hyperkeratosis, irregular acanthosis with papillomatosis, and koilocytic figures. The genital lesions were treated with monthly cryotherapy plus surgical excision with complete disappearance of the lesions. A decrease in ultraviolet exposure and daily sun-block were encouraged for epidermodysplasia verruciformis lesions. After genital wart clearance, follow-ups are being scheduled every 4 months, with no new lesions to date.

A new ELISA test (Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG, Vircell, Spain) to detect Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG was evaluated. The micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test was used as reference method. Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila psittaci elementary bodies were also assayed. Two hundred and sixteen sera were included in the study: 66 from patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (Panel 1), 68 from adults with pneumonia (Panel 2), 44 from healthy adults (Panel 3) and 38 from patients with a sexuality transmitted disease by C. trachomatis (Panel 4). In Panel 1, 51 sera (77%) had antibody titres between 32 and 128; 4 out of 15 sera with IgG titres < 32 were positive by ELISA test and 2 sera with 32 IgG titres were uncertain by ELISA; the remaining 60 sera were correctly classified, giving a 91% concordance between the techniques. In Panel 2, 55 sera (81%) had IgG titres between 32 and 512; 2 out of 13 sera with IgG titres < 32 were positive by ELISA and 2 sera with 32 titres were uncertain by ELISA; the remaining 64 sera were correctly classified, giving a 97% concordance. In Panel 3, 22 sera (50%) had IgG titres between 32 and 64; only 1 out of 22 sera with IgG titres < 32 was positive by ELISA, giving a 97% concordance between the techniques. In Panel 4, there were 24 (63%) negative, 10 (26%) uncertain and 4 (10%) positive results by ELISA, giving an 86% concordance. The C. pneumoniae ELISA test demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The IgG ELISA test demonstrated a good concordance with the MIF test without the drawbacks associated with the latter assay. We conclude that the ELISA test could be an alternative to the MIF test.