Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, high-risk human papilloma virus infection and p16(INK4a) expression: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Papillary squamous cell carcioma is rare form of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix occurring in women in the sixth decade of life and is frequently misdiagnosed as high-grade intraepithelial lesion. Few reports with cytologic study have been performed, especially with cytology in liquid-based specimens. CASE: A 58-year-old woman who had 8 gestations (no abortions) and mitral cardiopathy treated with coumarin medication was referred for transvaginal bleeding of 20 days' duration. Specular examination showed an exophytic, easily bleeding lesion occupying all of the uterine cervix and superior third of the vagina. Liquid-based cytology showed squamous cells, mostly basaloid but some bizarre or in fiber, with clearly atypical nuclei. Second-generation hybrid capture for high-risk human papillomavirus was positive, with a viral load of 404 relative light unit/positive control B, and the tumor expressed p16(INK4a). CONCLUSION: This report adds further experience with liquid-based cytology to the existing conventional and liquid-based cytologic findings, particularly in the Brazilian female population.

The role of high-risk HPV-DNA testing in the male sexual partners of women with HPV-induced lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to assess the prevalence of high-risk HPV in the male sexual partners of women with HPV-induced lesions, and correlate it with biopsies guided by peniscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four asymptomatic male sexual partners of women with low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (LSIL) associated with high-risk HPV were examined between April 2003 and June 2005. The DNA-HPV was tested using a second-generation hybrid capture technique in scraped penile samples. Peniscopy identified acetowhite lesions leading to biopsy. RESULTS: High-risk HPV was present in 25.9% (14 out of 54) of the cases. Peniscopy led to 13 biopsies (24.07%), which resulted in two cases of condyloma, two cases of intra-epithelial neoplasia (PIN) I, one case of PIN II, and eight cases of normal tissue. The high-risk HPV test demonstrated 80% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 88.9% negative predictive value for the identification of penile lesions. There was a greater chance of finding HPV lesions in the biopsy in the positive cases of high-risk HPV with abnormal peniscopy (p=0.007); OR=51 (CI 1.7-1527.1). CONCLUSION: Among asymptomatic male sexual partners of women with low-grade intra-epithelial squamous lesions, those infected by high-risk HPV have a higher chance of having abnormal penile tissue compared with male partners without that infection.

Mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphism, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between polymorphisms in the gene coding for mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the diagnosis of acute or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis METHODS: Women at two outpatient clinics in Brazil filled out a questionnaire and were examined for the presence of vulvovaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis. A buccal swab was blindly tested for codons 54 and 57 MBL2 gene polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. RESULTS: A total of 177 women were enrolled. Vulvovaginal candidiasis was identified in 78 (44.1%) women, 33 (18.6%) had bacterial vaginosis, and 66 (37.3%) were normal controls. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis was present in 50 (64.1%) of the women with vulvovaginal candidiasis; 20 (60.6%) of the bacterial vaginosis patients had recurrent disease. Vulvovaginal candidiasis was associated with white race (P=.007), bacterial vaginosis was associated with nonwhite race (P=.05), and both were associated with a history of allergy (P< or =.02) and having sexual intercourse at least three times a week (P<.001). Carriage of the variant MBL2 codon 54 allele B was more frequent in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (25.0%) than in the women with acute vulvovaginal candidiasis (17.9%) or controls (10.6%) (P=.004). Allele B was also more prevalent in women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis (22.5%) than in those with acute bacterial vaginosis (0%) (P=.009). The MBL2 codon 57 polymorphism was infrequent and not associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis differs by ethnicity in Brazilian women. The MBL2 codon 54 gene polymorphism is associated with both recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of women with oral and genital HPV infection.

UNLABELLED: Secretory IgA contributes towards the protection of mucosal surfaces against invading microorganisms. OBJECTIVES: Quantify secretory IgA titers in the saliva of women with HPV in the oropharynx and/or in the genital area. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy women with clinical genital HPV lesions and 70 women without HPV infection were tested for oral HPV DNA and the levels of total IgA in their saliva. One millilitre of saliva was collected, centrifuged and stored at -80 degrees C for the measurement of secretory IgA by nephelometry technique. A pool of oral pharyngeal cells was collected for HPV identification by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Oral HPV PCR was positive in 29 (21%) women (26 women with genital HPV and only 3 women without genital HPV). Titers of secretory IgA were extremely lower in-patients with HPV DNA in the oropharynx when compared to HPV negative women (p<0.0001). Genital HPV and smoking were also associated to low levels of total sIgA in saliva (p<0.01). After multivariable analyses only the presence of HPV in the oral cavity and/or in genital area, but not smoking, was related to low levels of total secretory IgA. CONCLUSION: Women with low levels of total secretory IgA could be more susceptible to having their oral mucosa colonized by HPV.

Chronic periodontitis and pre-term labour in Brazilian pregnant women: an association to be analysed.

AIM: To investigate the association between chronic periodontitis (CP) and pre-maturity in a group of Brazilian pregnant women from the State of São Paulo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four women were investigated consecutively in a cross-sectional study, between December 2003 and May 2005. Sixty-eight women had pre-term labour (PTL) and 56 had term labour. A periodontal examination was carried out to identify the presence of CP. Statistical analysis used the Fisher's exact test or chi(2) for the discrete variables and the Mann-Whitney test for the non-parametric variables. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI), to evaluate the relation between CP and pre-maturity. RESULTS: Periodontal indicators, such as clinical attachment loss (p<0.0001) and bleeding on probing (p=0.012), were observed more in the PTL group. The presence of CP increased the risk for PTL (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.9-11.9), pre-term birth (PTB; OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.9-12.8) and low birth weight (<2500 g; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.3-13.3). The pregnant women with PTL presented low levels of schooling (p=0.029) and the lowest number of pre-natal appointments (p=0.0001) when compared with those with term labour. CONCLUSION: CP is strongly associated with PTL, PTB and low birth weight in a group of Brazilian pregnant women. These data point to the necessity of regularly investigating CP during pregnancy.

Qual o papel do Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) na indução de lesão de tuba uterina nas infecções por Chlamydia Trachomatis? / What is the role of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) in the induction of tubal damages caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis infection?

A suscetibilidade à infecção por C. trachomatis, curso, complicações e resolução da doença depende do tipo da bactéria, de fatores ambientais eda genética do paciente. Entre as mulheres uma forma frequente da infecção é a endocervicite, que pode se complicar com salpingite com consequente lesãotubária. Acredita-se que as complicações a longo prazo desta infecção ocorrem via heat shock protein HSP 60 e toll-like receptors (TLR)...

The susceptibility, course, complications and outcome of Chlamydia trachomatis infection depends on the type of bacteria, environmentalfactors and host genetic factors. Among women, the most common infection is cervicitis that can be complicated by salpingitis leading to tubal damage.It is believed that long-term complications occur via HSP 60 and toll-like receptors...

Grau de satisfação de mulheres que usaram absorvente higiênico "respirável" externo por 75 dias consecutivos / Satisfaction of women who used " breathable" panty liners for 75 days consecutively

Introdução: as mulheres modernas desenvolvem 10 a 12 horas de trabalhos consecutivos sem ter facilidades para sua higiene genital, fato que motivou o uso frequente de absorventes higiênicos no período intermenstrual. Objetivo: verificar a satisfação das voluntárias após 75 dias do uso de absorventes "respiráveis" intermenstruais. Métodos: aplicação de questionário para 54 mulheres voluntárias de ensaio clínico sobre o ecossistema vaginal e vulvar,que usaram absorvente higiênico intermenstrual "respirável" externo (AHIRE) por 75 dias, para verificar a satisfação do uso destes absorventes. As voluntárias foram avaliadas clinicamente e responderam a dois questionários sobre atividade laboral, desconforto vulvar (ardor, irritação ou prurido),conhecimento e uso de absorventes intermenstruais, seus motivos para usá-los e satisfação do uso, o primeiro no início e o segundo ao final do estudo.Resultados: as mulheres que participaram deste estudo eram brancas e não brancas em igual proporção, com bom nível educacional, índice de massa corpórea próximo a 25 e com média de 2,06 relações sexuais por semana. A permanência fora de casa é de 7,6 horas por dia, em média. Mais de 85%das voluntárias já conheciam esse tipo de produto, embora apenas 28,3% relatarem o hábito de usar protetor diário durante o período intermenstrual.Não foram identificados sinais irritativos (hiperemia vulvar) em 93,7% das mulheres na visita 2 (após 15 dias de uso) e 93,2% na visita 6 (após 75dias de uso). Queixas espontâneas de desconforto vulvar (ardor e irritação ou prurido) não ocorreram em 91,6% das mulheres na visita 2 e em 95,5%das mulheres na última visita. Essas diferenças não apresentaram significado estatístico (teste exato de Fisher com IC 95%). Estudo complementar indicou que estas porcentagens estão de acordo com a variação encontrada em mulheres que não usaram o AHIRE. Após os 75 dias do estudo, 39mulheres (92,8%) afirmaram que se sentiram mais confiantes, seguras e limpas com o uso do AHIRE. Conclusão: mulheres que usaram absorventesintermenstruais "respiráveis" por 75 dias consecutivos, manifestaram alto grau de satisfação e não apresentaram alterações clínicas significativas(hiperemia) ou reportaram desconforto (ardor e prurido) associado ao uso.

Introduction: modern women develop 10 to 12 consecutive hours of work without having an appropriated genital hygiene, a fact that prompted the frequentuse of panty liners in the intermenstrual period. Objective: check the satisfaction level of subjects after 75 days of wearing "breathable" panty liners (i. e.,ones that allow movement of air and water vapor). Methods: implementation of a questionnaire to 54 women participants of a clinical trial for vulvar andvaginal ecosystem evaluation, who wore breathable panty liner (BPL) for 75 days to verify the satisfaction regarding the wearing there of. The subjects wereassessed for clinical exams and also answered two questionnaires related to work activity, vulvar discomfort (burning, irritation or pruritus), knowledge andwearing of breathable panty liners, their reasons for wearing them as well as satisfaction, being the former at the beginning and latter at the end of the study.Results: the women that attended the research were white and non-white in equal proportions, holding good educational background, body mass indexclose to 25 and with an average of 2.06 sexual intercourses per week, being away from home, on average 7.6 hours per day. Over 85% of subjects werepreviously familiarized with this type of product, albeit just 28.3% reported the habit of wearing panty liners throughout the intermenstrual period. Absenceof irritation signs (vulvar hyperemia) occurred in 93.7% in Visit #2 (after 15 days of usage) and 93.2% of the women in visit #6 (after 75 days). Commoncomplaints of vulvar discomfort (burning and irritation or pruritus) were not observed in 91.6% of the women in Visit #2 and 95.5% of the women in the endof study. These differences were not statistically meaningful (Fisher"s exact test with IC = 95%) between the visits. A complementary study indicates thatthese percentages are in line with the normal variations of women who do not wear panty liners. After 75 days of the study, 39 women (92.8%) said they feltmore confident, protected and clean while wearing BPL. Conclusion: women who used "breathable" panty liners intermenstrual for 75 consecutive days,expressed high satisfaction and showed no clinically significant changes (hyperemia) or reported genital discomfort (burning and itching).

Prevenção da infecção por HPV e lesões associadas com o uso de vacinas / HPV infection and lesion prevention using HPV vaccine

O descobrimento de uma vacina capaz de alterar o curso natural do câncer de colo uterino e outras neoplasias decorrentes da infecção pelo HPV criou grandes perspectivas não só na comunidade médica, mas também entre diferentes segmentos da população mundial, tendo sido incluída no calendário vacinal de vários países. Os autores revisam o tema que sugere que a vacina profi lática contra o HPV, apesar de isoladamente não ser capaz de eliminar totalmente o câncer de colo uterino, poderá trazer uma importante contribuição para a saúde pública, quando associada aos programas de rastreamento do câncer cervical. Mesmo sabendo da alta efi cácia das vacinas profi láticas contra tipos específi cos do vírus, serão necessários novos estudos com maior tempo de duração para avaliar os resultados em longo prazo, uma vez que os estudos mais prolongados atingiram apenas nove anos e meio de seguimento. Até o momento, os resultados encontrados sugerem não haver a necessidade de reforço da vacina, mas serão necessárias as avaliações com mais de 10 anos para verifi car a duração da efi cácia, segurança e o tempo de validade da vacina profi lática contra o HPV.

The discovery of a vaccine capable of altering the natural course of cervical and other cancers resulting from HPV infection, not only has greatperspectives in the medical community but also among the different segments of the population. Due to this, is now participates in the immunization schedules of various countries. The aim of this paper is to review the fact that the prophylactic vaccine against HPV, which although alone is not able to completely eliminate cervical cancer, can, in fact bring an important contribution to public health, when associated to screening programs for cervical cancer. Even knowing the high effi cacy of prophylactic vaccines against specifi c types of HPV, further studies, to assess the results in the long term, will be required, since the longest term studies up to press have only reached an 9.5 year follow up period. So far, the results suggest no need for a vaccine booster, however a greater than ten year follow up period will be necessary to evaluate effi cacy, safety time lapse and time of validity of the prophylactic vaccine against HPV.

Infecção clamidiana feminina e masculina / Male and female chlamydial infection

Nos últimos anos os conceitos em DST têm evoluído (doenças sexualmente transmissíveis). A ideia de que as DST acometiam apenas mulheres e homens de vida promíscua não se aplica mais. Os portadores de DST, hoje em dia, são pessoas de vida cotidiana normal e não têm obrigatoriamente múltiplos parceiros sexuais. Por outro lado, os quadros clínicos clássicos e sintomáticos das DST têm sido sobrepostos por infecções assintomáticas, como a infecção clamidiana. A atualização objetiva a revisão do tema e destacar importantes aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos da infecção clamidiana. Os autores enfatizam a importância do diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequado, visando não apenas acabar com a infecção propriamente dita, mas também prevenir sequelas, evitar complicações e interromper a cadeia epidemiológica. Considerando a importância e os agravos da infecção clamidiana, o rastreio para C. trachomatis em populações de risco (gestantes, adolescentes, pessoas com outras DST) e precedendo cirurgias ginecológicas deveria ser implantado na rotina de todos os serviços preocupados em prevenir esta doença e, principalmente, evitar os seus agravos.

Candidíase extragenital / Extragenital candidiasis

As vulvovaginites constituem-se um dos diagnósticos mais frequêntes na prática diária em ginecologia. Os ginecologistas enfrentam o problema da candidíase genital näo complicada com algum sucesso, entretanto, conhecem pouco da doença, quando esta assume formas extragenitais ou recorrentes, tendo sérias dificuldades no manuseio das pacientes. Breve resumo do diagnóstico e tratamento da infecçäo extragenital nas seguintes formas de candidíase: oral, cutânea, mucocutânea crônica, esofágica, gastrointestinal, urinária, do sistema nervoso central, respiratório, cardíaca, ocular, entre outras

Hábitos de higiene e sexuais de mulheres com vulvovaginites recorrentes / Hygienic and sexual habits women with recurrent vulvovaginitis

Foram estudadas 51 mulheres com diagnóstico microbiológico confirmado de vulvovaginite recorrente e outras 61 mulheres controle. As análises apontaram que as mulheres brancas e as que usavam condom apresentaram-se mais associadas às vulvovaginites recorrentes. Inversamente o uso de medroxiprogesterona de depósito e amenorréia estiveram mais associados ao grupo controle.