Inversión económica versus control de las buenas prácticas de manipulación / ECONOMIC INVESTMENT VERSUS CONTROL OF GOOD HANDLING PRACTICES

Una buena higiene requiere de un lugar estructuralmente placentero y la aplicación de las Buenas Practicas de manipulación (BPM). Identificar que ocurre con las BPM en un centro de elaboración de alimentos en La Habana después de una cuantiosa inversión y cuál es la opinión de los manipuladores es el propósito del trabajo. Se aplicó la guía de Evaluación Sanitaria de Hoteles, elaborada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba determinándose los aspectos deficientes. Se encuestaron los manipuladores y se evaluó el control de las BPM. Se realizaron 2 inspecciones una inicial anterior a la reparación y una posterior, se comprobó que existió mejoría de las condiciones higiénico sanitario pero las deficiencias entrenamiento/procedimiento se mantenían en el segundo lugar lo que apunta a la falta de sensibilización de los manipuladores y la administración. Los trabajadores plantean varios factores como elementos desfavorables como la no exigencia y control, la inestabilidad de la dirección entre otros. Además realizaron propuestas como poner carteles para enfatizar conductas, reconocimiento al manipulador que cumple con las BPM, apoyo y exigencia administrativa. En este centro cuando se valoró el control de la dirección se comprobó que no era sistemático que existían pocas evidencias y no se había diseñado un plan de mejoras

We think that a nice, shining place, which is attractive to us, assures the correct hygiene. It is indisputable that a good hygiene needs of a place structurally pleasant to our senses but that also it agree with the hygiene norms, if this exists an excellent base is created for the application of the good practices of manipulation. To identify what is happen in a center of food elaboration in Havana after a large investment and what the opinion about the manipulators is to increase the employment of the good practices of manipulation. Two examinations were realized an initial previous to the repair and a later one, it was proved that improvement of the conditions increase hygienic sanitarily but the shortcomings training / procedure were supported in the second place what points at the absence of sensitization of the manipulators and the administration. The workers raise several factors as unfavorable elements: as not demand and control, the instability of the direction between others. Also they realized proposals like putting cartels to emphasize conducts, stimulation of the out-standing manipulator, support and administrative demand. In this center when the control of the direction was valued it was proved that it was not systematical that few evidences existed and a progress plan had not been designed

Inversión económica versus control de las buenas prácticas de manipulación / Economic investment versus control of good handling practices

Una buena higiene requiere de un lugar estructuralmente placentero y la aplicación de las Buenas Practicas de manipulación (BPM). Identificar que ocurre con las BPM en un centro de elaboración de alimentos en La Habana después de una cuantiosa inversión y cuál es la opinión de los manipuladores es el propósito del trabajo. Se aplicó la guía de Evaluación Sanitaria de Hoteles, elaborada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba determinándose los aspectos deficientes. Se encuestaron los manipuladores y se evaluó el control de las BPM. Se realizaron 2 inspecciones una inicial anterior a la reparación y una posterior, se comprobó que existió mejoría de las condiciones higiénico sanitario pero las deficiencias entrenamiento/procedimiento se mantenían en el segundo lugar lo que apunta a la falta de sensibilización de los manipuladores y la administración. Los trabajadores plantean varios factores como elementos desfavorables como la no exigencia y control, la inestabilidad de la dirección entre otros. Además realizaron propuestas como poner carteles para enfatizar conductas, reconocimiento al manipulador que cumple con las BPM, apoyo y exigencia administrativa. En este centro cuando se valoró el control de la dirección se comprobó que no era sistemático que existían pocas evidencias y no se había diseñado un plan de mejoras.

We think that a nice, shining place, which is attractive to us, assures the correct hygiene. It is indisputable that a good hygiene needs of a place structurally pleasant to our senses but that also it agree with the hygiene norms, if this exists an excellent base is created for the application of the good practices of manipulation. To identify what is happen in a center of food elaboration in Havana after a large investment and what the opinion about the manipulators is to increase the employment of the good practices of manipulation. Two examinations were realized an initial previous to the repair and a later one, it was proved that improvement of the conditions increase hygienic sanitarily but the shortcomings training / procedure were supported in the second place what points at the absence of sensitization of the manipulators and the administration. The workers raise several factors as unfavorable elements: as not demand and control, the instability of the direction between others. Also they realized proposals like putting cartels to emphasize conducts, stimulation of the out-standing manipulator, support and administrative demand. In this center when the control of the direction was valued it was proved that it was not systematical that few evidences existed and a progress plan had not been designed.

Effect of Pressure-Assisted Heat Treatment on Photoluminescence Emission of α-Bi2O3 Needles.

Materials with high photoluminescence (PL) intensity can potentially be used in optical and electronic devices. Although the PL properties of bismuth(III) oxide with a monoclinic crystal structure (α-Bi2O3) have been explored in the past few years, methods of increasing PL emission intensity and information relating PL emission to structural defects are scarce. This research evaluated the effect of a pressure-assisted heat treatment (PAHT) on the PL properties of α-Bi2O3 with a needlelike morphology, which was synthesized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method. PAHT caused an angular increase between the [BiO6]-[BiO6] clusters of α-Bi2O3, resulting in a significant increase in the PL emission intensity. The Raman and XPS spectra also showed that the α-Bi2O3 PL emissions in the low-energy region (below ∼2.1 eV) are attributed to oxygen vacancies that form defect donor states. The experimental results are in good agreement with first-principles total-energy calculations that were carried out within periodic density functional theory (DFT).

Structural and photoluminescence properties of Eu(3+) doped α-Ag2WO4 synthesized by the green coprecipitation methodology.

Europium doped silver tungstates α-Ag2-3xEuxWO4 (x = 0, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.0075 and 0.01 mol) were synthesized by the coprecipitation method at 90 °C for 30 minutes. These crystals were structurally characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, and micro-Raman (MR) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images were employed to observe the shape of the crystals. The optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The XRD pattern indicated structural organization at a long range for all undoped and Eu-doped samples, while MR and FT-IR revealed that the presence of the Eu(3+) ions favors the structural organization at a short range. The Rietveld refinement showed that all the crystals are monophasic with an orthorhombic structure and the Pn2[combining macron]n space group. The refined lattice parameters and atomic positions were employed to model the WO6 and AgOn (n = 2, 4, 6 and 7) polyhedra in the unit cell. FE-SEM analysis revealed nanorod-like microcrystals with growth of metallic silver on the surface. Further, the UV-vis absorption spectra indicated the existence of intermediary energy levels within the band gap. PL spectra showed a broad band related to the [WO6] group and characteristic narrow peaks due to the f-f transitions of Eu(3+) as a result of efficient energy transfer from the matrix. Also, the emission line shape transitions from (5)D0 to (7)FJ (J = 0-4) levels of the Eu(3+) were noticed. Among the samples, the most intense photoluminescence results were observed for the α-Ag2-3xEuxWO4 (x = 0.0075) sample. Lifetime decays support that the Eu(3+) ions occupy at least two crystallographic sites. CIE coordinates confirmed the colors of the emission spectra which classify this material as a potential phosphor in the visible range.

Structural, optical, and magnetic properties of NiMoO4 nanorods prepared by microwave sintering.

We report on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of α,ß-NiMoO4 nanorods synthesized by annealing the NiMoO4:nH2O precursor at 600°C for 10 minutes in a domestic microwave. The crystalline structure properties of α,ß-NiMoO4 were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopies. The particle morphologies and size distributions were identified by field emission microscopy (FE-SEM). Experimental data were obtained by magnetization measurements for different applied magnetic fields. Optical properties were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Our results revealed that the oxygen atoms occupy different positions and are very disturbed in the lattice and exhibit a particular characteristic related to differences in the length of the chemical bonds (Ni-O and Mo-O) of the cluster structure or defect densities in the crystalline α,ß-NiMoO4 nanorods, which are the key to a deeper understanding of the exploitable physical and chemical properties in this study.

Synthesis and photoluminescence behavior of the Eu3+ ions as a nanocoating over a silica Stöber matrix.

In this work, a SiO(2) spherical were prepared by the Stöber Method and then recovered with a single layer of Eu(2)O(3) oxide (SiO(2)@Eu(2)O(3)) obtained by the Polymeric Precursor Method. The SiO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) powder was heated treated at 100, 300, 400, 500 and 800 °C. The samples were characterized by the Scanning Electonic Microscopy (SEM), Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA), and the luminescent properties of the SiO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) powders were studied by their emission and excitation spectra as well as by the lifetime measurements of the Eu(3+) (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) transition. The SEM analysis shows that the silica prepared by the Stöber Method is spherical with a particle size of 460 nm. The emission spectra of the SiO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) powders presented the Eu(3+) characteristics bands related to the (5)D(0) → (7)F(J) (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions at 577, 591, 616, 649 and 695 nm, respectively. The band related to the (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) transition is the most intense in the spectra, and its intensity decreases with the temperature enhancement. The decay curves of the SiO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) samples presented monoexponential features, and the obtained lifetime values were higher than the Eu(2)O(3) oxide. It was possible to conclude that the (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) hypersensitive transition is strongly dependent on the Eu(3+) surrounding.

Molluscum contagiosum: A 20-year study in a sexually transmitted infections unit.

A prospective 20-year (1988-2007) study in an STI unit in Spain investigating trends in Molluscum contagiosum infection included 12,424 patients. We found 339 Molluscum contagiosum infections (2.7% incidence) with a yearly distribution ranging from 0% to 6.8%. There was a three-fold increase from an incidence of 1.3% in the first decade (1988-1997) to 4.0% in the second (1998-2007) (P < 0.001).

Europium(III) concentration effect on the spectroscopic and photoluminescent properties of BaMoO(4):Eu.

BaMoO(4):Eu (BEMO) powders were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method (PPM), heat treated at 800 degrees C for 2 h in a heating rate of 5 degrees C/min and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, besides room temperature Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The emission spectra of BEMO samples under excitation of 394 nm present the characteristic Eu(3+) transitions. The relative intensities of the Eu(3+) emissions increase as the concentration of this ion increases from 0.01 to 0.075 mol, but the luminescence is drastically quenched for the Ba(0.855)Eu(0.145)MoO(4) sample. The one exponential decay curves of the Eu(3+ 5)D(0)-->(7)F(2) transition, lambda (exc) = 394 nm and lambda (em) = 614 nm, provided the decay times of around 0.54 ms for all samples. It was observed a broadening of the Bragg reflections and Raman bands when the Eu(+3) concentration increases as a consequence of a more disordered material. The presence of MoO(3) and Eu(2)Mo(2)O(7) as additional phases in the BEMO samples where observed when the Eu(3+) concentration was 14.5 mol%.

Different origins of green-light photoluminescence emission in structurally ordered and disordered powders of calcium molybdate.

A strong greenish-light photoluminescence (PL) emission was measured at room temperature for disordered and ordered powders of CaMoO4 prepared by the polymeric precursor method. The structural evolution from disordered to ordered powders was accompanied by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM imagery. High-level quantum mechanical calculations in the density functional framework were used to interpret the formation of the structural defects of disorder powders in terms of band diagram and density of states. Complex cluster vacancies [MoO3 x V(O(z))] and [CaO7 x V(O(z))] (where V(O(z)) = V(O(X)), V(O(*)), V(O(**))) were suggested to be responsible to the appearance of new states shallow and deeply inserted in the band gap. These defects give rise to the PL in disordered powders. The natural PL emission of ordered CaMoO4 was attributed to an intrinsic slight distortion of the [MoO4] tetrahedral in the short range.

Validation and clinical use of the CECA, a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with anogenital condylomata acuminata.

The aim of this validation study was to assess the measurement properties of the CECA (Spanish acronym for the Specific Questionnaire for Condylomata Acuminata) in patients with anogenital condylomas. A total of 247 patients aged > 18 years completed the questionnaire on 2 occasions as well as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The CECA questionnaire showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.86 and 0.91 in the emotional and sexual activity dimensions) and good testretest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.76 emotional dimension, 0.82 sexual activity dimension). Patients with de novo lesions and those with more extensive lesions and larger number of warts showed poorer health-related quality of life. CECA and DLQI scores correlated moderately. Patients whose lesions cleared at follow-up or with a reduction of >or= 50% showed a better improvement of health-related quality of life. The CECA questionnaire is a valid, reliable and sensitive tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with anogenital warts.

SiO2-GeO2 soot preform as a core for Eu2O3 nanocoating: synthesis and photophysical study.

Nowadays solid state chemists have the possibility of work with low temperature strategies to obtain solid state materials with appropriate physical and chemical properties for useful technological applications. Photonic core shell materials having a core and shell domains composed by a variety of compounds have been synthesized by different methods. In this work we used silica-germania soot prepared by vapor-phase axial deposition as a core where a nanoshell of Eu(2)O(3) was deposited. A new sol-gel like method was used to obtain the Eu(2)O(3) nanoshell coating the SiO(2)-GeO(2) particles, which was prepared by the polymeric precursor method. The photophysical properties of Eu(3+) were used to obtain information about the rare earth surrounding in the SiO(2)-GeO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) material during the sintering process. The sintering process was followed by the luminescence spectra of Eu(3+) and all the samples present the characteristic emission related to the (5)D(0)-->(7)F( J ) (J = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4). The ratios of the (5)D(0)-->(7)F(2)/(5)D(0)-->(7)F(1) emission intensity for the SiO(2)-GeO(2)@Eu(2)O(3) systems were calculated and it was observed an increase in its values, indicating a low symmetry around the Eu(3+) as the temperature increases.

Effect of the order and disorder of BaMoO4 powders in photoluminescent properties.

The study of the photoluminescent properties affected by order and disorder of the BaMoO(4) powders is the principal objective in this work. BaMoO(4) compounds were prepared using soft chemical process called Complex Polymerization Method. In this work, different deagglomeration types and different heating rates were used to promote different disorder degrees. Scheelite type phase (BaMoO(4)) was determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy after heat treating the sample at 400 degrees C. The room temperature luminescence spectra revealed an intense single-emission band in the visible region. Based on XRD and Raman data it was observed that the transition between the completely disordered structure to completely ordered structure is a good condition for photoluminescence (PL) emission. The best PL emission is obtained when the material possesses short range disorder, i.e., is periodically ordered (XRD), but some disorder as measured by Raman spectroscopy. The excellent optical properties observed for disordered BaMoO(4) suggested that this material is a highly promising candidate for optical applications.

[Research on sexually transmitted infections in asymptomatic heterosexual males whose partners have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]. / Investigación de infecciones de transmisión sexual en varones heterosexuales asintomáticos pareja de mujeres con neoplasia cervical intraepitelial.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological agents of genital warts and of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and they are sexually transmitted. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in asymptomatic heterosexual males who consult their physicians seeking advice after their partners have been diagnosed with CIN. METHODS: 181 asymptomatic males whose partners were women diagnosed with CIN were studied at the STI unit in Gijón over a five-year period (1999-2003). The same diagnostic protocol was used in all cases: clinical exam, genitoscopy and the taking of samples for bacterial, fungus and Trichomonas cultures, as well as samples for the genomic detection of Chlamydia, and syphilis, HIV and viral hepatitis serology. RESULTS: 101 infections were diagnosed in 85 patients (47 %). By order of greatest prevalence, these were: urethritis from Ureaplasma urealyticum (35/181; 19.3 %), genital warts (31/181; 17.1 %), Haemophilus spp. (12 de 181; 6.6 %) and mycotic balanoposthitis (10/181; 5.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of STI in the partners of women with CIN is high, and in these cases it is necessary to establish STI detection and control programs in both members of the couple.

Investigación de infecciones de transmisión sexual en varones heterosexuales asintomáticos pareja de mujeres con neoplasia cervical intraepitelial / Research on sexually transmitted infections in asymptomatic heterosexual males whose partners have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Introducción. Los virus del papiloma humano (VPH) son los agentes etiológicos de las verrugas genitales y de la neoplasia cervical intraepitelial (CIN), siendo su mecanismo de transmisión la vía sexual. El objeto de este estudio es determinar la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en varones heterosexuales asintomáticos que acuden a la consulta en busca de consejo después de haber diagnosticado a su pareja una CIN. Métodos. Se estudiaron 181 varones asintomáticos, pareja de mujeres con diagnóstico de CIN, en la unidad de ITS en Gijón durante un período de 5 años (1999-2003). Se empleó el mismo protocolo diagnóstico en todos los casos: examen clínico, genitoscopia y obtención de muestras para cultivo de bacterias, hongos y Trichomonas, así como muestras para la detección genómica de Chlamydia y serología de sífilis, virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y virus de las hepatitis. Resultados. Se diagnosticaron 101 infecciones en 85 pacientes (47 %), que por orden de mayor prevalencia fueron: uretritis por Ureaplasma urealyticum (35 de 181; 19,3 %), verrugas genitales (31 de 181; 17,1 %), Haemophilus spp. (12 de 181; 6,6 %) y balanopostitis micótica (10 de 181; 5,5 %). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de ITS en las parejas de mujeres con CIN es elevada, y en estos casos es necesario establecer programas de detección y control de ITS en ambos miembros de la pareja

Introduction. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological agents of genital warts and of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and they are sexually transmitted. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in asymptomatic heterosexual males who consult their physicians seeking advice after their partners have been diagnosed with CIN. Methods. 181 asymptomatic males whose partners were women diagnosed with CIN were studied at the STI unit in Gijón over a five-year period (1999-2003). The same diagnostic protocol was used in all cases: clinical exam, genitoscopy and the taking of samples for bacterial, fungus and Trichomonas cultures, as well as samples for the genomic detection of Chlamydia, and syphilis, HIV and viral hepatitis serology. Results. 101 infections were diagnosed in 85 patients (47 %). By order of greatest prevalence, these were: urethritis from Ureaplasma urealyticum (35/181; 19.3 %), genital warts (31/181; 17.1 %), Haemophilus spp. (12 de 181; 6.6 %) and mycotic balanoposthitis (10/181; 5.5 %). Conclusions. The prevalence of STI in the partners of women with CIN is high, and in these cases it is necessary to establish STI detection and control programs in both members of the couple

Deposition of controlled thickness ultrathin SnO2:Sb films by spin-coating.

The technological interest in transparent conductive oxide films (TCOs) has motivated several works in processing techniques, in order to obtain adequate routes to application. In this way, this work describes a new route to obtain antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films, based in colloidal dispersions of oxide nanocrystals. The nanoparticles were obtained by a hydrolisis method, using SnCl2 and SbCl3 in ethanolic solutions. The residual halides were removed by dyalisis, obtaining a limpid and transparent colloidal suspension. By this, the method offers the advantage of producing ultrathin films without organic contaminants. This route was employed to produce films with 5, 10, 14, and 18 mol% Sb doping, with thickness ranging from 40 to 70 nm. The physical characterization of the samples showed a uniform layer deposition, resulting in good packing density and high transmittance. A preliminar electrical study confirmed the low electrical resistivity even in the ultrathin films, in such level similar of reported data. The method described is similar in some aspects to layer-by-layer (LbL) techniques, allowing fine control of thickness and interesting properties for ultrathin films, however, with low cost when compared to similar routes.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the room-temperature photoluminescence of amorphized Pb(Zr,Ti)O3.

Ultrafine PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3 was amorphized through high-energy mechanical milling. The structural evolution through the amorphization process was accompanied by various characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transformed IR spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. A strong photoluminescence was measured at room temperature for amorphized PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3, and interpreted by means of high-level quantum mechanical calculations in the density functional theory framework. Three periodic models were used to represent the crystalline and amorphized PbZr0.20Ti0.80O3, and they allowed the calculation of electronic properties that are consistent with the experimental data and that explain the appearance of photoluminescence.

Sarcoptes scabiei in a sexually transmitted infections unit: a 15-year study.

BACKGROUND: Few epidemiologic studies of scabies in sexually transmitted infection (STI) unit attenders exist. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine epidemiology and trends of infestation among attenders at a Spanish STI unit. STUDY: A prospective 15-year (1988-2002) study was conducted of 9751 STI unit attenders, investigating scabies and other STIs. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients (1.5%) had scabies, which was more frequent in males (2.1%, 73 of 3623) than in females (1.2%, 72 of 6128) (P <0.001). Infestation peaked in autumn/winter (70.1%) versus spring/summer (29.9%) (P <0.001). Significantly more cases occurred in single men (P <0.05), males under 35 (P <0.05), men with sporadic sexual contacts (P <0.001), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (P <0.001). In women, more cases occurred in Spanish patients (P <0.01), high alcohol users (P <0.05), and oral contraceptive users (P <0.01). In both sexes, scabies was commoner in smokers (P <0.05) and parenteral drug abusers (P <0.001). Scabies showed no significant association with other STIs. CONCLUSIONS: Scabies incidence has been stable, with autumn and winter peaks. Infestation is associated with lifestyle, MSM, and males with sporadic sexual contact.

Trends in the prevalence of pathogens causing urethritis in Asturias, Spain, 1989-2000.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies of recent trends in the etiology and epidemiologic characteristics of specific microorganisms causing urethritis in men. GOAL: The objective of the current study was to show the clinical experience in our country and to evaluate the trends in the prevalence of the pathogens in male urethritis, as well as the epidemiologic patterns in a series of 2101 patients. STUDY DESIGN: This was a descriptive study of the etiological agents causing urethritis in our sexually transmitted disease clinics in a period of 12 years (1989-2000), with a comparison of two periods of time. RESULTS: There were 97 cases of gonococcal urethritis (4.6%), 2004 of nongonococcal urethritis (95.4%), and 82 of mixed urethritis (3.9%). An association was found between gonococcal urethritis and heterosexual men; between chlamydial urethritis and homosexual/bisexual men; Ureaplasma urealyticum urethritis and heterosexual men and patients younger than 30 years of age; and between trichomonal urethritis and patients more than 30 years of age and the presence of HIV antibodies. CONCLUSION: During the period of research there was a significant decrease in cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis and an increase in those of U urealyticum urethritis. In conclusion, this report describes changes in the etiology and epidemiologic patterns of urethritis in our country in recent years.

Phthirus pubis in a sexually transmitted diseases unit: a study of 14 years.

BACKGROUND: There have been few epidemiologic studies of pubic lice in recent times, and the exact incidence is unknown. GOAL: The goal was to determine the trends of pubic lice infestation in a risk group of males and female prostitutes in an STD unit in Spain. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective 14-year study, from 1988 to 2001, of all patients attending the STD unit in Gijón (Asturias, Spain), investigating crab lice and other STDs. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-seven patients (2.2%) had pubic lice, with a male/female proportion of 1.8/1. The yearly infestation rate ranged from 1.3% to 4.6%. The mean age was 30.3 years, and 18.8% of patients were older than 35 years. There were more cases involving men who had sex with men (MSM) (P < 0.001) than those involving heterosexual men. Reinfestation occurred in 7.6% of patients, more often in males (P < 0.05) and mainly in MSM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Infestation rates were stable during the period of study, with more older patients involved than reported previously, and infestation frequently was associated with STDs. MSM were infested and reinfested more often than heterosexual men, and in general reinfestations occurred more frequently in males than in females.