Estimated burden of fungal infections in Sweden.

The aim of this study was to estimate the annual burden of fungal infections in Sweden using data mainly from 2016. Data on specific populations were obtained from Swedish national data registries. Annual incidence and prevalence of fungal disease was calculated based on epidemiological studies. Data on infections due to Cryptococcus sp., Mucorales, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis and Pneumocystis jirovecii were retrieved from Karolinska University Laboratory and covers only 25% of Swedish population. In 2016, the population of Sweden was 9 995 153 (49.8% female). The overall burden of fungal infections was 1 713 385 (17 142/100 000). Superficial fungal infections affect 1 429 307 people (1429/100 000) based on Global Burden of Disease 14.3% prevalence. Total serious fungal infection burden was 284 174 (2843/100 000) in 2016. Recurrent Candida vulvovaginitis is common; assuming a 6% prevalence in women. Prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation were estimated to be 20 095 and 26 387, respectively. Similarly, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis was estimated to affect 490 patients after tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and other conditions. Candidemia incidence was estimated to be 500 in 2016 (4.7/100 000) and invasive aspergillosis 295 (3.0/100 000). In Stockholm area, Mucorales were reported in three patients in 2015, while Cryptococcus spp. were reported in two patients. In 2016, there were 297 patients PCR positive for P jirovecii. The present study shows that the overall burden of fungal infections in Sweden is high and affects 17% of the population. The morbidity, mortality and the healthcare-related costs due to fungal infections warrant further studies.

Cryptococcal disease and the burden of other fungal diseases in Uganda; Where are the knowledge gaps and how can we fill them?

The HIV epidemic in Uganda has highlighted Cryptococcus and Candida infections as important opportunistic fungal infections. However, the burden of other fungal diseases is not well described. We aimed to estimate the burden of fungal infections in Uganda. All epidemiological papers of fungal diseases in Uganda were reviewed. Where there is no Ugandan data, global or East African data were used. Recurrent vaginal candidiasis is estimated to occur in 375 540 Uganda women per year; Candida in pregnant women affects up to 651,600 women per year. There are around 45,000 HIV-related oral and oesophageal candidosis cases per year. There are up to 3000 cases per year of post-TB chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. There are an estimated 40,392 people with asthma-related fungal conditions. An estimated 1,300,000 cases of tinea capitis occur in school children yearly in Uganda. There are approximately 800 HIV-positive adults with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) annually and up to 42 000 children with PJP per year. There are an estimated 4000 cryptococcal cases annually. There are an estimated 2.5 million fungal infections per year in Uganda. Cryptococcus and PJP cause around 28,000 deaths in adults and children per year. We propose replicating the model of research around cryptococcal disease to investigate and development management strategies for other fungal diseases in Uganda.

Vulvovaginitis: screening for and management of trichomoniasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence and provide recommendations on screening for and management of vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. OUTCOMES: OUTCOMES evaluated include the efficacy of antibiotic treatment, cure rates for simple and complicated infections, and the implications of these conditions in pregnancy. EVIDENCE: Published literature was retrieved through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in June 2013 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., vaginitis, trichomoniasis, vaginal candidiasis) and key words (bacterial vaginosis, yeast, candidiasis, trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis, vaginitis, treatment). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date limits, but results were limited to English or French language materials. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to May 2014. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES: The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). Summary Statements 1. Vulvovaginal candidiasis affects 75% of women at least once. Topical and oral antifungal azole medications are equally effective. (I) 2. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is defined as 4 or more episodes per year. (II-2) 3. Trichomonas vaginalis is a common non-viral sexually transmitted infection that is best detected by antigen testing using vaginal swabs collected and evaluated by immunoassay or nucleic acid amplification test. (II-2) 4. Cure rates are equal at up to 88% for trichomoniasis treated with oral metronidazole 2 g once or 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Partner treatment, even without screening, enhances cure rates. (I-A) 5. Current evidence of the efficacy of alternative therapies for bacterial vaginosis (probiotics, vitamin C) is limited. (I) Recommendations 1. Following initial therapy, treatment success of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is enhanced by maintenance of weekly oral fluconazole for up to 6 months. (II-2A) 2. Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis treated with topical azoles may require longer courses of therapy to be resolved. (1-A) 3. Test of cure following treatment of trichomoniasis with oral metronidazole is not recommended. (I-D) 4. Higher-dose therapy may be needed for treatment-resistant cases of trichomoniasis. (I-A) 5. In pregnancy, treatment of symptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis with oral metronidazole is warranted for the prevention of preterm birth. (I-A) 6. Bacterial vaginosis should be diagnosed using either clinical (Amsel's) or laboratory (Gram stain with objective scoring system) criteria. (II-2A) 7. Symptomatic bacterial vaginosis should be treated with oral metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days. Alternatives include vaginal metronidazole gel and oral or vaginal clindamycin cream. (I-A) 8. Longer courses of therapy for bacterial vaginosis are recommended for women with documented multiple recurrences. (I-A).

Objectif : Analyser les données probantes et formuler des recommandations quant au dépistage et à la prise en charge de la candidose vulvovaginale, de la trichomonase et de la vaginose bactérienne. Issues : Parmi les issues évaluées, on trouve l'efficacité de l'antibiothérapie, les taux de guérison en ce qui concerne les infections simples et compliquées, et les implications de ces pathologies pendant la grossesse. Résultats : La littérature publiée a été récupérée par l'intermédiaire de recherches menées dans MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL et The Cochrane Library en juin 2013 au moyen d'un vocabulaire contrôlé (p. ex. «â€¯vaginitis ¼, «â€¯trichomoniasis ¼, «â€¯vaginal candidiasis ¼) et de mots clés (p. ex. «â€¯bacterial vaginosis ¼, «â€¯yeast ¼, «â€¯candidiasis ¼, «â€¯trichomonas vaginalis ¼, «â€¯trichomoniasis ¼, «â€¯vaginitis ¼, «â€¯treatment ¼) appropriés. Les résultats ont été restreints aux analyses systématiques, aux essais comparatifs randomisés / essais cliniques comparatifs et aux études observationnelles. Aucune restriction n'a été appliquée en matière de date, mais les résultats ont été limités aux documents rédigés en anglais ou en français. Les recherches ont été mises à jour de façon régulière et intégrées à la directive clinique jusqu'en mai 2014. La littérature grise (non publiée) a été identifiée par l'intermédiaire de recherches menées dans les sites Web d'organismes s'intéressant à l'évaluation des technologies dans le domaine de la santé et d'organismes connexes, dans des collections de directives cliniques et auprès de sociétés de spécialité médicale nationales et internationales. Valeurs : La qualité des résultats est évaluée au moyen des critères décrits par le Groupe d'étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs (Tableau). Déclarations sommaires 1. La candidose vulvovaginale affecte 75 % des femmes à au moins une reprise. Les azoles antifongiques topiques et oraux comptent une efficacité équivalente. (I) 2. Pour être qualifiée de récurrente, la candidose vulvovaginale doit donner lieu à quatre épisodes ou plus par année. (II-2) 3. Trichomonas vaginalis est un organisme à l'origine d'une infection transmissible sexuellement non virale courante. Le dépistage des antigènes (écouvillonnages vaginaux analysés au moyen d'un immunoessai ou d'un test d'amplification des acides nucléiques) constitue la meilleure façon d'en détecter la présence. (II-2) 4. La prise en charge de la trichomonase au moyen de métronidazole oral, que ce soit à raison de 2 g en une dose unique ou de 500 mg deux fois par jour pendant 7 jours, permet l'obtention de taux de guérison équivalents pouvant atteindre 88 %. Le traitement du partenaire, même sans dépistage préalable, améliore les taux de guérison. (I-A) 5. Les données probantes dont nous disposons à l'heure actuelle quant à l'efficacité des traitements de médecine parallèle contre la vaginose bactérienne (probiotiques, vitamine C) sont limitées. (I) Recommandations 1. À la suite du traitement initial, la réussite de la prise en charge de la candidose vulvovaginale récurrente est favorisée par la mise en œuvre d'un traitement d'entretien hebdomadaire au fluconazole oral pendant une période pouvant atteindre six mois. (II-2A) 2. La résolution de la candidose vulvovaginale symptomatique prise en charge au moyen d'azoles topiques pourrait nécessiter un traitement d'une durée prolongée. (1-A) 3. À la suite de la prise en charge de la trichomonase au moyen de métronidazole oral, la tenue d'un test de guérison n'est pas recommandée. (I-D) 4. Le recours à des doses accrues pourrait être requis dans les cas de trichomonase qui présentent une résistance au traitement. (I-A) 5. En présence d'une infection à Trichomonas vaginalis symptomatique pendant la grossesse, la prévention de l'accouchement préterme justifie la mise en œuvre d'un traitement au métronidazole oral. (I-A) 6. La vaginose bactérienne devrait être diagnostiquée au moyen de critères cliniques (Amsel) ou de laboratoire (coloration de Gram et système objectif de notation). (II-2A) 7. La vaginose bactérienne symptomatique devrait être prise en charge au moyen de métronidazole oral, à raison de 500 mg deux fois par jour pendant sept jours. Parmi les solutions de rechange, on trouve le gel vaginal de métronidazole et la clindamycine (comprimés oraux ou crème vaginale). (I-A) 8. Chez les femmes qui présentent de multiples récurrences documentées, la prolongation du traitement contre la vaginose bactérienne est recommandée. (I-A).

Sample-based assessment of the microbial etiology of bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis.

A semiquantitative evaluation of potential bacterial pathogens was correlated to the severity of lesions during an outbreak of bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV) on an Israeli dairy herd. Bacteriologic examination of 287 vaginal swabs from 104 post-calving heifers showed a highly significant correlation between Porphyromonas levii colony forming unit numbers and the clinical scores of the lesions, when assessed by an ordinal regression statistical model. No such correlation was found for the other bacteria included in the study. Nineteen samples taken for virological examinations resulted negative for bovine herpes viruses 1, 2, 4 and 5. Thus the results of this study substantiate the essential role of P. levii in the etiology of BNVV and indicate that BHV4 is not required as a predisposing factor to the syndrome.

Pediatric gynecology: assessment strategies and common problems.

Pediatric gynecology is an emerging subspecialty involving the collaborative efforts of health professionals from gynecology, pediatrics, and urology. The gynecologic problems encountered in the pediatric population are unique to this age group and involve physician skills differing from those utilized with an adult population. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the normal anatomy and physiology of the reproductive tract and genitalia and common problems seen in the prepubertal female. Common anatomic variations are considered. Suggestions on assessment techniques for evaluation of the young child are discussed. Presentation of common gynecologic problems in the prepubertal child will include common symptoms, evaluation and testing, and management to enable the practicing gynecology health professional to provide compassionate and quality care to the young female.