Characteristics of the hormonal background in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and extragenital disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To establish the peculiarities of the hormonal background in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and extragenital disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study involved examination of 100 women of reproductive age with concomitant ED and AUB (MG). CG included 50 healthy women. MG women were additionally divided into subgroups depending on the detected pathological changes in the uterine cavity. When examining the hormonal status, concentrations of FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and leptin in BS were determined. Additionally, the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D ((25-OH) D) was determined. RESULTS: Results: The decrease in FSH level in subgroups of GP, PSL, EH, EHL was 1.8-2.4 times (KWT, p<0.01). LH in BS of MG patients was statistically lower than that of CG patients (MWT, p=0.0083). The lowest level of LH was registered in patients with EHL, which was 2 times lower than this indicator in CG. A statistically significant increase in the level of estradiol was registered in 73% of MG patients (MWT, p=0.044). The lowest level of progesterone was registered in patients with EHL - 8.40, which is 4.7 times lower than in CG (MWT, p=0.0021). A statistically significant increase in the level of leptin in BS was observed in MG patients (KWT, p=0.0021). The highest level of leptin was found in women with AFP, 2.3 times higher than CG indicators. A statistically significant correlation between the level of leptin and BMI (r=0.86, p=0.011) and a statistically significant (p=0.023) correlation between the level of leptin and estradiol in BS of patients of the examined groups (r=0.42) were revealed. In 87% of MG women, vitamin D deficiency was observed in BS (KWT, p=0.03). A statistically significant (p=0.01) negative correlation between the level of estradiol and vitamin D in the BS of female patients was revealed (r=-0.61, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Women of reproductive age with AUB and ED were found to have disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system. Most patients are characterized by an elevated level of leptin, the concentration of which is closely correlated with BMI, and an elevated level of estradiol is correlated with the level of vitamin D.

Mycoplasma hominis as Cause of Extragenital Infection in Patients with Hypogammaglobulinemia: Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review.

Mycoplasma hominis can be a part of human urogenital tract microbiome, and it is a frequent cause of urogenital infections. In rare cases, it can also cause extragenital infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. In this case series, we report two cases and provide a literature review of extragenital infections caused by M. hominis in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Patient 1 was a 61-year-old woman with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who, after rituximab-containing chemotherapy and CAR-T therapy, developed M. hominis spondylodiscitis. Patient 2 was a 50-year-old woman with congenital hypogammaglobulinemia who developed disseminated M. hominis infection involving pleura, muscles, and right ankle. Antibiotic therapy with levofloxacin and doxycycline for 10 weeks in patient 1 and with levofloxacin alone for 6 weeks in patient 2 led to infection resolution. The literature review identified 14 additional cases reporting M. hominis extragenital infection in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. M. hominis should also be suspected as an etiological agent of extragenital infection in patients with B-cell immunodeficiency with a clinical picture of persistent, standard-culture negative infection, particularly with arthritis or abscess formation. Even if M. hominis can grow on standard bacterial medium, in suspected cases molecular methods should be promptly used for correct diagnostic work-up and successful therapy.

Multiple sexually transmitted infections as a presenting feature of human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS.

A 45-year-old married male presented with nonhealing, painless ulcers with purulent discharge over genitals for 3 months. He had molluscum contagiosum over genitalia and forehead. A tissue smear suggested a diagnosis of donovanosis. Biopsy suggested diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum and serology was positive for human immunodeficiency virus 1 and herpes simplex 2. The patient was started on acyclovir and doxycycline. Antiretroviral therapy was initiated. The patient responded slowly over a period of 8 weeks. Immunocompromised patients having nonhealing genital ulcers must be subjected to tissue smear to pick up the diagnosis of granuloma inguinale.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus in girls and adult females: A single-center retrospective study of 744 patients in China.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease which is accompanied by itching and pain, affecting the patient's daily life and sexual activity. However, the disease characteristics of children and adults are not completely the same. Currently, there are few studies in China that compare the characteristics of VLS between girls and adult female patients. The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology, clinical features, and combined autoimmune diseases of VLS patients between girls and adult females, and to help clinicians better understand VLS in different age groups. We enrolled 744 female patients for analysis, divided by age into a child group (<18 years) and an adult group (≥18 years). Among girl patients, 94.6% had preadolescent onset, while among adult female patients, only 4.6% had preadolescent onset, which was a statistically significant difference. The highest percentage of adult female patients had onset during their child-bearing period (75.4%), while 20% had postmenopausal onset, with a significant difference when the three onset states were compared. White patches were equally common in both girl and adult female patients' external genital area, while mossy lesions and labia minora atrophy were more common in adult female patients. Involvement of the clitoris, labia minora, and vaginal opening area were more common in adult patients. The perianal area was more commonly involved in girl patients. We found eight cases (1.2%) of secondary squamous cell carcinoma in adult female patients. We also found that 13 patients had concurrent lichen sclerosus lesions on the vulva and extragenital region, including two girls and 11 adult females. Extragenital lichen sclerosus (EGLS) occurred mostly in the torso. Clinicians should be aware of these differences so that early diagnosis and treatment of the disease can be achieved, to avoid irreversible anatomical alterations and the risk of cancer.

Overcoming analytical and preanalytical challenges associated with extragenital home collected STI specimens.

Home sample collection for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening options can improve access to sexual healthcare across communities. For Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), genital infections have classically been the focus for remote collection options. However, infections may go undiagnosed if sampling is limited to urogenital sites because some individuals only participate in oral and/or anal intercourse. Here we evaluated samples for CT/NG detection after several pre-analytical collection challenges. A paired provider to self-collection validation was performed on rectal [n = 162; 22 + for CT and 9 + for NG by provider-collected (PC)] and throat (N = 158; 2 + for CT and 11 + for NG by provider-collected) swabs. The positive percent agreement for CT and NG ranged from 90.9% to 100%. The discrepancies were more often positive on self-collected (SC) (n = 9 SC+/PC-; n = 1 PC+/SC-; n = 1 PC+/SC Equiv.; n = 2 PC-/SC Equiv.). An empirical limit of detection (LoD) lower than the manufacturer's claim (0.031 vs 2.5 IFU/mL for CT and 0.063 vs 124.8 CFU/ml for NG, respectively) was used to challenge additional variables. Common hand contaminants, including soap, hand sanitizer, lotion, and sunscreen were added to known positive (3× empirical LoD) or negative samples and did not influence detection. Samples at 2× and 10× the empirical LoD were challenged with extreme temperature cycling and extended room temperature storage. Detection was not affected by these conditions. These results indicate that remote self-collection is an appropriate method of sample acquisition for detecting extragenital CT/NG infections. Additionally, they provide a foundation towards meeting the regulatory standards for commercial testing of home collected extragenital samples. IMPORTANCE: There is a clinical need for expanded extragenital bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing options, but the current regulatory landscape limits the wide-spread promotion and adoption of such services. Improved access, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, can be achieved by validating testing for specimens that are self-collected at a remote location and arrive at the laboratory via a postal carrier or other intermediary route. Here we provide valuable data showing that self-collected samples for anal and oropharyngeal STI testing are equally or increasingly sensitive compared with those collected by a provider. We systematically consider the effects of storage time, exposure to temperature extremes, and the addition of common toiletries on results.

A Review and Case Study of Genital and Extragenital Human Papillomavirus Type 6 and 11 Infections in Men Who Have Sex with Men Accompanied by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Extragenital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 are rarely reported. However, major risk factors for anogenital warts (AGW) include men who have sex with men (MSM) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The incidence of extragenital warts among these populations has not been reported. This study presented a case report of a 33-year-old male with high-risk sexual behavior who showed symptoms of flesh-colored and hyperpigmentation papules. Furthermore, verrucous surfaces were observed at genital and extragenital. The patient had a history of using the same razor for pubic and armpit hair, bathing with a mesh scrub, and scratching the anal area. The histopathological result showed koilocytes, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination for both genital and extragenital lesions confirmed HPV type 6 and 11. This represented the first reported case describing the incidence of extragenital and AGW caused by HPV types 6 and 11. The transmission of extragenital warts was facilitated through fomites autoinoculation, particularly in the immunocompromised condition induced by HIV, which was common among MSM. Extragenital warty-like lesions were considered as warts caused by HPV type 6/11, in HIV-infected persons, specifically MSM.

Estimating the Effect of Genital vs Extragenital Warts on Immunocompetent Indian Adult Patients; Quality of Life: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Extragenital warts, often known as EGWs, affect between 7% and 10% of the population. Despite the plethora of research on the impact of genital warts (GWs) on "Quality Of Life", EGWs have received little attention. The purpose of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional investigation with the objective of contrasting the effects of GWs and EGWs on the health-related quality of life and other characteristics. Participants and Procedures: A cross-sectional clinical study was piloted at a tertiary care center. Participants in the study included two groups of healthy adults, each group consisting of 100 adult subjects. Those diagnosed with EGWs were included in group A, while patients diagnosed with GWs made up group B. The "Dermatology Life Quality Index" questionnaire was used to evaluate various parameters. Observations were compared for significance. Results: The majority of the subjects in both the groups were observed to have less than 10 warts. The Dermatology Life Quality Index score for the EGWs had an average of 8.66 ± 2.31 score; GWs had an average of 5.12 ± 3.25. This mean variance was statistically significant. The level of the dissatisfaction was highly significantly different among the groups and the subjects being more in the EGW group dissatisfied. Conclusion: The findings of this investigation indicate that EGWs have a significant and detrimental effect on the Quality Of Life. Medical experts must teach people how to prevent the disease's spread and recurrence due to its persistence. They must also consider the psychological and societal repercussions of the disease while discussing therapy choices.

Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Emergency Department.

As the United States faces a worsening epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), emergency departments (EDs) play a critical role in identifying and treating these infections. The growing health inequities in the distribution and disproportionate impact of STIs add to the urgency of providing high-quality sexual health care through the ED. Changes in population health are reflected in the new Centers for Disease Control recommendations on screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment of STIs. This review covers common, as well as and less common or emerging STIs, and discusses the state-of-the-art guidance on testing paradigms, extragenital sampling, and antimicrobial treatment and prevention of STIs.

Lichen Sclerosus of the Labial Mucosa: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an uncommon, chronic, inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder found predominantly in females with unknown etiology. It presents as a white sclerotic plaque commonly located on the anogenital area. Extragenital LS is less prevalent, and LS affecting the oral mucosa is extremely rare, with only 39 biopsy-confirmed cases reported in the literature. Due to its several mimicking conditions, histological examination is usually required for a definitive diagnosis, particularly in patients with oral LS. Current evidence-based treatment recommendations for oral LS are unavailable; however, most cases tend to improve after treatment with topical or intralesional corticosteroids. We report a case of a 58-year-old female referred from the otolaryngology department for evaluating an asymptomatic whitish sclerotic plaque on the lower lip mucosa that had existed for 1 year. Following a punch biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with LS of labial mucosa. The condition improved after 2 months of treatment with topical and intralesional corticosteroids. The present case report raises awareness in recognizing oral LS and contributes to knowledge of this rare disorder.

Gonorrheal and chlamydia yield for genital and extragenital testing in children evaluated for sexual abuse.

OBJECTIVE: Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners (TXFNE) performs routine testing of genital and non-genital sites for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and further testing for other sexually transmitted pathogens. The current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend that testing be based primarily on patient history of type of sexual contact, patient age, community prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), perpetrator risk factors for STIs, and patient symptoms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). In this study, we were interested in determining whether our practice of testing all sites in all prepubertal patients presenting for sexual abuse for CT and NG resulted in identification of infections that would have been missed if testing had been limited to disclosed sites of sexual contact. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all children younger than 14 years who presented to a clinical or hospital site for evaluation by TXFNE in Harris County or surrounding counties during the period January 2020-December 2021. RESULTS: Of the 675 patients tested, 61 patients (9 %) had genital injuries and 45 patients (7 %) had either reported symptoms or examination findings consistent with possible STI infection. There were 11 patients who had positive gonorrhea and/or chlamydia results. Of the 11 patients with a positive result, 10 patients' reported history of type of contact did not fully match sites that tested positive. Diagnosis of STI infection would have been missed for 5 patients if testing had been limited to the disclosed sites of sexual contact. CONCLUSION: Positive results for CT and NG at undisclosed body sites in children presenting with concern for sexual abuse most likely represent infection from sexual contact. Limiting STI testing based on disclosed contact may lead to missed NG and CT infections in prepubertal patients with concern for sexual abuse. This can lead to delayed treatment of the infection and a missed opportunity to ensure the safety of the child.

Extra-urogenital infection by Mycoplasma hominis in transplant patients: two case reports and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma hominis is a facultative anaerobic bacterium commonly present in the urogenital tract. In recent years, M. hominis has increasingly been associated with extra-urogenital tract infections, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Detecting M. hominis in a diagnostic laboratory can be challenging due to its slow growth rate, absence of a cell wall, and the requirements of specialized media and conditions for optimal growth. Consequently, it is necessary to establish guidelines for the detection of this microorganism and to request the appropriate microbiological work-up of immunosuppressed patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We hereby present two cases of solid organ transplant patients who developed M. hominis infection. Microscopic examination of the bronchial lavage and pleural fluid showed no microorganisms. However, upon inoculating the specimens onto routine microbiology media, the organism was successfully identified and confirmation was performed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Both patients received appropriate treatment resulting in the resolution of M. hominis infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prompt detection of M. hominis in a clinical specimen can have a significant impact on patient care by allowing for early intervention and ultimately resulting in more favorable clinical outcomes, especially in transplant patients.

Extragenital Sexually Transmitted Infections Testing During COVID-19 Pandemic Among Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System.

Studies have shown lower screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how the pandemic affected STI testing among juvenile justice-involved youth, especially for extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia. Retrospective chart review was conducted between March 2020 and June 2021 utilizing electronic health records of youth seen at a preadjudication facility in the southwest United States. Rates of extragenital testing were compared with prepandemic rates. Overall, 574 youth were observed; 86% were male, mean age was 15.4 years, and 48.6% were Black. Of the youth reporting performing oral sex, 57% were tested for oropharyngeal STIs compared to 33.5% in 2018 to 2019. Twenty percent of those reporting anal receptive sex were tested for rectal infections compared to 25.9% before the pandemic. Pandemic testing for oropharyngeal STIs increased but rectal testing decreased. Overall, testing rates remained low.

Genital and Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus: A Case Series Written Using ChatGPT.

Background Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSEA) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of genital and extragenital sites with a prevalence ranging from 9% in prepubertal patients to 50% in postmenopausal patients. Chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial intelligence tool designed to assist humans based on supervised and reinforcement techniques. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with LSEA using ChatGPT. Methods In this retrospective study, we included all patients who presented to the outpatient dermatology department during 2017-2022 at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Information regarding demographic data, characteristics of LSEA, comorbidities, and associated autoimmune disorders was gathered using a medical chart review. Following data analysis and drafting of the manuscript, the utility of ChatGPT-3 and ChatGPT-4 in finalizing the draft was assessed. Results Of 20 patients diagnosed with LSEA, 16 (80%) and four (20%) patients were females and males, respectively. Of them, 50% of female patients had attained menopause. While 65% of patients had genital LSEA, 30% of patients had extragenital LSEA only, and 5% of patients had both genital and extragenital LSEA. Furthermore, four (20%) patients were prepubertal children. Of four male patients, two (50%) were younger than 18 years of age, and one patient was diagnosed with balanitis xerotica obliterans. The commonest associated features in LSEA included joint involvement (30%), hypertension (25%), and anemia (15%). Rare concomitant disorders included psoriasis, asthma, and basal cell carcinoma over the nose. Conclusions LSEA may be confused with other various dermatoses, such as morphea, vitiligo, and lichen planus. A high index of suspicion is required, especially in children, to diagnose it early and intervene to prevent further complications. Its relationship with autoimmune disorders and comorbidities warrants further large-scale studies. ChatGPT was unreliable in the literature search due to the provision of non-existent citations. ChatGPT-4 was better than ChatGPT-3 since it provided few true publications. ChatGPT was used in this study to summarize the articles identified by the authors during the literature search and to correct grammatical errors in the final draft of the manuscript.

Bilateral chancre of the tongue: An unusual presentation of primary syphilis.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. A characteristic lesion of primary syphilis is chancre. It can develop over genital or extra genital sites, depending on the site of contact with the infectious agent. Cases of oral syphilis have been on the rise in the previous two decades, probably because of the involvement of the oral cavity in sexual practices. We here report an unusual case of primary syphilis who presented with a painless indurated oral ulcer over the lateral borders of the tongue.

Lichen Sclerosus of the Lip.

In this case report, we outline a case of a 36-year-old woman who presented to the dermatology clinic with a history of a hypopigmented macule on her lip. After conducting hepatitis C antibody testing and a shave biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus. Because of the increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma, she underwent an anogenital exam, where no lesions were found.

Extragenital lichen sclerosus: a comprehensive review of clinical features and treatment.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly affecting the anogenital area with less frequent extragenital occurrence. Extragenital LS cutaneous manifestations vary and precipitating factors are not well described. Recent evidence for etiology and clinical associations of extragenital LS provide insight into disease recognition and pathogenesis. Novel diagnostic techniques as well as treatment standardization have the potential to improve management of this rare condition. This review details both past and new insights into the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of extragenital LS.