The impact of environmental and behavioural cofactors on the development of cervical disorders in HR-HPV-infected women in Serbia.

Persistent infection with one or more highly oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) or high-risk-HPV (HR-HPV) is necessary but not a sufficient aetiological agent for the development of cervical neoplasia. A number of viral, host, environmental and behavioural factors are suggested to be associated with the progression of cervical disorder. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of environmental and behavioural cofactors on the development of cervical disorders in HR-HPV-infected women in Serbia. A total of 541 women have been tested by PCR for the presence of HPV on the cervix. HPV genotypes were determined by direct DNA sequencing. Women identified as HR-HPV-positive were further classified into four subgroups according to their cytological status. All relevant information about demographical and behavioural factors was obtained by interviewer-based questionnaire. A number of analytical and descriptive statistical methods were used for processing the data. The cofactors found to be of significance for the progression of cervical disease were older age, body mass index >25, lower educational level, long-term smoking, previous genital infections and cervical interventions. On the other hand, condom use was found to have a protective role. Information about these cofactors might be very important for the development of more efficient cancer prevention programmes and promotion of anti-HPV vaccination.

[Correlation between results of PCR and specific serological tests in diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with mononucleosis syndrome].

Routine laboratory diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis is based on EBV serological testing, but due to problems in interpretation of results, molecular methods, especially PCR, are often necessary. The aim of the present study was to investigate correlation between results of PCR and specific serological tests in diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with mononucleosis syndrome. The study comprised 68 patients with mononucleosis syndrome. Their blood samples were tested using ELISA for detection of 4 EBV specific antibodies (anti-VCA IgM and IgG, anti-EA-D IgG and anti-EBNA-1 IgG) and PCR for detection of EBV DNA. According to results of serology 42 patients had acute primary infection, 2 reactivation, 1 chronic active infection, 19 past infection, and 4 have been EBV seronegative. EBV DNA was detected in 17 patients (25%) and all of them were serologically defined as acutely infected. PCR was useful for resolving unclear serology results. Specific serology is the first step in diagnosis of IM, but PCR may serve as a useful additional diagnostic tool for clarifying serological dilemmas, reaching final diagnosis and defining status of the infection.

[The role of PCR in detection of cytomegalovirus in blood and urine of transplanted patients].

Rapid and reliable laboratory diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in transplanted patients becomes more significant considering possible prevention or moderation of CMV disease. The aim of this study was comparison of CMV isolation in cell culture and CMV detection by PCR in blood and urine samples of transplanted patients. The study comprised 21 patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy after renal or bone marrow transplantation. MRC-5 cell culture was used for viral isolation. Inoculated cultures were maintained for 4 weeks or until appearance of specific cytopathic effect (CPE). Primers used in PCR were specific for the sequence within egzon 4 of immediate-early 1 (IE-1) gene. Presence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies was determined by ELISA. PCR was more sensitive for blood (4/21) and urine samples (3/19) than cell culture method--blood (0/21) urine (2/19). Statistically significant correlation was not shown between presence of CMV(determined by PCR) in blood and urine of the same patient.