[Viral infections in urology]. / Virusinfektionen in der Urologie.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has shown impressively that infectious diseases can have an enormous impact on the healthcare system and beyond. In the specialty of urology, patients present in daily practice with viral infections that are associated with numerous diseases. METHODOLOGY: The aim of this review is to describe viral infections relevant for urology, and in particular to emphasize vaccination prevention. A selective literature search was carried out on the subjects of "COVID and urology", "urogenital viral infections", "viral urological infections in transplant medicine", and "vaccination prevention of viral diseases". RESULTS: Coronaviruses have already caused two local epidemics: SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) epidemic. The fact that the SARS-CoV­2 (SARS coronavirus 2) disease is contagious even without symptoms has essentially led to the rapid spread and global pandemic. A large number of viruses, which can also induce viremia, have been detected in the ejaculate and are thus associated with a possible urogenital infection. These include the mumps virus, Coxsackie viruses or enteroviruses, among others. It has also been shown that a Zika virus infection can also be sexually transmitted via the sperm as a carrier. Viruses therefore also play an important role in reproduction. When performing kidney transplants, urologists are often confronted with viral infections. The most effective weapon against viruses is prevention by vaccination. CONCLUSION: In terms of ethiopathogenesis, the genitourinary tract is most often affected by viruses, in the context of viremia or through reactivation due to immunosuppression. Immunomodulation and vaccination prophylaxis play a leading role in therapy.

[The urologist as a vaccinator]. / Der Urologe als Impfarzt.

Vaccines are one of the most effective weapons of humankind in the fight against various infectious diseases. Therefore, physicians from all specialties should not only regularly confirm their knowledge regarding vaccinations but also actively offer them in their daily routine. Urologists can use various vaccination offers to help protect their patients' future health. In addition to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for children and adolescents, this article shows how urologists who provide vaccines can fulfill their responsibility to implement the state vaccination recommendations to patients over the age of 60. Among others, HPV vaccination can have the effect of finally eradicating an evolutionary burden of humanity. In addition to standard vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, special vaccinations also protect individuals over the age of 60 against pneumococci, influenza and herpes zoster. Moreover, urologists may in the future also save patients from COVID-19-the disease that actually made people aware of vaccinations again.

[Organ-sparing surgery for penile cancer]. / Organerhaltende Chirurgie des Peniskarzinoms.

In patients with penile cancer health-related quality of life is closely related to organ-sparing surgery. To achieve an ideally suited treatment modality for this rare but aggressive tumor entity different operating techniques like micrographic surgery, laser treatment, and glansectomy were developed. These should offer optimal oncological treatment while preserving sexual function. This article gives an overview of indications and limits of organ-sparing treatment in penile cancer.

[Human papillomavirus disease burden in men : HPV prevention is a man's business]. / Krankheitslast humaner Papillomaviren der Männer : HPV-Vorsorge wird Männersache.

Due to the lack of an established school-based immunization program, the initial German public funded girls-only human papillomavirus (HPV)-vaccination strategy failed. Over the last decade, the female coverage rates have not exceeded much more than 40%, thus, missing herd immunity for boys. Therefore, the German HPV immunization program has been revised and currently recommends a gender-neutral HPV vaccination for all children aged 9-14 years to prevent all HPV-related tumors which can be prevented by immunization. In order to correct the mistaken German impression of this being an  issue relevant only to females, this article highlights the HPV disease burden in men which mostly can be prevented by timely immunization of boys. German urologists have started a campaign: HPV prevention is a man's business.

[Anogenital warts and HPV-associated precancers : Looking into the recently passed German S2k guideline]. / Anogenitale Warzen und HPV-assoziierte Präkanzerosen : Einblicke in die kürzlich konsentierte S2k-Leitlinie.

Anogenital warts are the most frequently sexually transmitted disease caused by viral infections worldwide. People's lifetime risk to suffer from this disease or HPV-associated precancers counts to more than 10%. The therapy and the recurrence rates of both disorders continue to be challenging in Germany because the coverage rate of the preventive HPV vaccination is still insufficient. This underlines the importance of a recently passed interdisciplinary German guideline on anogenital HPV lesions. This article summarizes the main aspects of the new guideline. Specialists should be consulted by children, pregnant women, individuals suffering from immunodeficiency and people frequently having relapses of HPV-associated diseases or having lesions being accessible only endoscopically.

[Human papillomavirus and penile cancer : Thinking about measures for prevention]. / Humane Papillomaviren und Peniskarzinom : Überlegungen zu Präventionsmaßnahmen.

Two major pathways of penile carcinogenesis are known: human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced penile cancer and HPV-negative cancers associated with chronic dermatoses. Therefore, modern measures for prevention of penile cancer may for example include prophylactic HPV vaccination. The resulting B­cell-mediated immunity to HPV capsid proteins is effective protection against future HPV infections. Contrarily when treating existing HPV infections or HPV-associated cancers an antigen-specific T­cell immunity is necessary. To date, screening and treatment of precancerous lesions to prevent penile cancer are not established in the German health care program and the highly expected therapeutic HPV vaccines are still on the horizon. In this article, we focus on possible strategies to prevent HPV-related penile cancer on different levels of carcinogenesis.

[One decade of HPV vaccination in Germany]. / Ein Jahrzehnt der HPV-Impfung in Deutschland.

As a worldwide very common sexually transmitted infection (STI), HPV causes millions of genital warts every year and is responsible for 5% of all cancers in men and women. With strong empirical evidence for both vaccine safety and efficacy, the HPV vaccines proved to protect against these HPV-related conditions over the last decade. But current HPV vaccination coverage is suboptimal in many countries. Even in Germany the absence of a school-based immunization program and the recommendation of a publicly funded girls-only HPV vaccination strategy are the main reasons for a female coverage rate under 40%, which does not achieve herd immunity for the boys. Therefore, the German immunization program urgently needs revision to fight an increasing number of young Germans missing out on the most important development in cancer prevention. Gender-neutral bundling of the HPV vaccine to other routinely recommended vaccines for preteens at one visit will have many advantages at the same time: Lowering the age of HPV vaccination to 9-12 years will improve the cost-effectiveness because a two-dose vaccination schedule is established on this score. Time-consuming and redundant explanations of the attending physician as well as parent's discussion on feeling stigmatized by the STI nature of HPV could be avoided in a combined vaccination setting. By expanding the HPV vaccination to boys, the resulting gender-neutral vaccination program can be cost-effective if all HPV-related diseases which can be prevented by vaccination are considered.

[Symptomatic urinary tract infection of the female--diagnostics]. / Rezidivierende Harnweginfektion der Frau--Diagnostik.

The basis for the diagnostic work-up of recurrent cystitis is formed by taking a precise medical history against the background of knowledge of the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections. The anamnesis should also focus on factors that influence the natural flora (sexual intercourse, hygiene) but additionally include preceding antibiotic treatment and diseases that affect the immune status (diabetes mellitus). Urinalysis is the principal examination among the laboratory diagnostic procedures. The diagnosis is promptly confirmed by immediate analysis of a clean catch midstream urine sample using a counting chamber or a test strip. As a matter of principle, microbiological diagnosis always ensues. Extended diagnostic work-up (urological staging) is aimed at detecting functional and anatomic abnormalities. While these factors only play a subordinate role during the premenopausal phase, they gain in importance during the postmenopausal phase. A key role is also attributed to local estrogen deficiency.

[Gynaecological and obstetrical aspects of recurrent urinary tract infections]. / Rezidivierende Harnweginfektionen aus der Sicht des Frauenarztes.

The microbial colonization of vulva, vagina and cervix uteri represents the reservoir for recurrent urinary tract infection. All bacterial species of normal cutaneous or gastrointestinal flora can be found in the external genital tract even under physiological conditions. The higher concentration of microbes adds to the predisposition for urinary tract infection in cases of dysbiosis or inflammation, apart from specific infection by Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis. The specific immunological interaction between bacteria and host, i.e. between virulence factors and intrinsic defense, appears to be the major mechanism paving the way for recurrent infection. The elimination of predisposing factors is the clue for successful therapy as well as for prevention of recurrence.

[Condylomata acuminata: an indication for prophylactic HPV vaccination?]. / Condylomata acuminata: Eine Indikation für prophylaktische HPV-Vakzination?

HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Although most infections are transient, persistent ones can lead to condylomata acuminata, genital intraepithelial neoplasia and genital cancer. The recent approval of vaccines against HPV has raised great hopes. Since 1990, 5,392 urological investigations for HPV were carried out in 1,792 men in special HPV centres. We report on the epidemiology and natural course of condylomata, techniques for HPV detection, treatment surveillance and long-term sequelae. Condylomata acuminata proved to be pathognomonic; partner infections were diagnosed in 50% and more. Systematic HPV DNA analyses in partner investigations or as screening investigations cannot be recommended. Ultimately, within the spectrum of therapeutic options for condylomata, no method is really superior to others; recurrences occurred in 30-70% of cases. We definitely need the HPV vaccination programme to get rid of one of the oldest and up to now unsolved problems of mankind.

Large de novo renal cell carcinoma in a 10-year-old transplanted kidney: successful organ-preserving therapy.

BACKGROUND: A recent review of the Cincinnati Transplant Tumor Registry recorded 24 de novo renal cell carcinomas developing in renal allografts. However, late development of these tumors after transplantation is very rare. Only four reports exist regarding conservative surgery on kidney transplant tumors. METHODS: This is a report on a case of a large 6-cm de novo renal cell carcinoma in a 10-year-old transplanted kidney. Optimal therapy by transplant nephrectomy or tumor enucleation was discussed. RESULTS: Partial resections or enucleations of renal cell carcinoma are still less than ideal in carcinomas larger than 3 cm considering the higher risk of local recurrence. But the recipient in this case had done so well and had had such a high quality of life after transplantation that partial nephrectomy as therapy of choice was selected. Now the patient is 2 years tumor free. CONCLUSION: The case report demonstrates that in certain select cases of large tumors, organ-preserving surgery could be an alternative approach in combining complete tumor removal with preservation of graft function.

[Human papillomaviruses (HPV) in urology. II: 10 years evaluation of differential HPV therapy]. / Humane Papillomviren (HPV) in der Urologie. Teil II: 10-Jahres-Bewertung differenzierter HPV-Therapie.

Human papillomaviruses can give rise to histoclinical changes in the epithelium of the anogenital region. These have to be considered and treated differentially on the basis of their morphology, size, number, location and oncogenic relevance. Up until now, no method of treatment has proved to be clearly superior to others or to be especially suitable for the comprehensive therapy of all varieties of HPV efflorescences. We will present and evaluate a comprehensive concept of HPV treatment that takes into consideration the medical aspects of HPV associated lesions, the treatment choice of the patient, drugs approval and the legal responsibility for the individual methods of HPV treatment. Our experience enables us to critically analyze the current HPV therapy guidelines of various specialist societies which do not adequately take specific urological aspects into consideration.

[Laser applications in condylomata acuminata]. / Laseranwendung bei Condylomata acuminata.

Condylomata acuminata are benign epidermal proliferations caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Recent epidemiological data have shown that HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Some HPV types are considered to be potentially oncogenic. Therefore, effective examinations and treatment of both sexual partners are important in all cases. The CO2 laser and the Nd:-YAG laser have gained widespread acceptance in the treatment of HPV efflorescences. CO2 lasers are characterized by surface absorption; the Nd:-YAG laser effect depends on volume absorption; depth of coagulation can be controlled by laser power, spot size and exposure time. Both of these fundamentally different laser effects lead to excellent cosmetic results and high cure rates. Our follow-up examinations revealed recurrences in 22%.

[Human papillomaviruses (HPV) in urology. I: 10 years results of interdisciplinary HPV diagnosis]. / Humane Papillomviren (HPV) in der Urologie. Teil I: 10-Jahres-Ergebnisse interdisziplinärer HPV-Diagnostik.

Human papillomaviruses play a pre-eminent role as the most frequent sexually transmitted virus in urology. However, a pathogenetic connection between these viruses and urological cancers has not been proved so far, in contrast to the correlation with cervical cancer. Our 10-year experience with urological partner diagnostics and therapy surveillance in 788 patients form the empirical basis for the detection of clinical and subclinical HPV efflorescences, rates of partner infection and the benefit of laboratory techniques for HPV detection. Commercial HPV test methods only detect a fraction of the HPV types affecting the external genitals and the urethra that are demonstrated in a reference laboratory. HPV analyses are not appropriate for routine diagnostics, but should be used solely in research projects.

[Laser treatment of urethral strictures]. / Die Laserbehandlung von Harnröhrenstrikturen.

Since the late 1970s different laser systems have been applied for the treatment of urethral strictures. Thermal effects adjacent on tissue have made the long term results of Nd:-YAG and Ar+ laser application discouraging. New laser systems (KTP, Excimer, Ho: YAG) still have to prove their efficacy in randomized clinical trials against cold knife urethrotomy.

[Fluorescence cytology of the urinary bladder]. / Fluoreszenzzytologie der Harnblase.

5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence cystoscopy is invaluable for diagnosing urinary bladder carcinoma and its precursors. Because neoplastic cells of the urinary bladder possess striking fluorescent properties due to protoporphyrin IX, we initiated a study to evaluate the use of fluorescence microscopy in urinary sediments. In 27 patients suspected of having bladder carcinomas, we instilled 5-aminolevulinic acid into their urinary bladders before transurethral therapy and compared thereafter our studies of standard cytological sediments with those made under fluorescence microscopy. The results of fluorescence cystoscopy and those using urinary sediments for neoplastic cells under fluorescence microscopy correlated extremely well. In this pilot study using fluorescence microscopy, we found that we could diagnose with precision urinary neoplasms of different grades of differentiation. Accordingly, we regard fluorescence microscopy as a valuable complement for standard urinary cytology, especially since with fluorescence microscopy we can readily recognize fluorescing cells of highly differentiated urinary tumors and flat premalignant dysplasias.

[Partial priapism. Case report and review of the literature of diagnostic and therapeutic measures]. / Partieller Priapismus. Kasuistik und Literaturübersicht über diagnostisches und therapeutisches Vorgehen.

Partial priapism is a rare condition which has been previously reported in the literature only in eight cases. Unlike the typical case of priapism, patial priapism generally shows erection only of the proximal corpora cavernosa. In most of the cases a well defined membrane separated the proximal erected and the distal flaccid part of the corpus. The origin of the fibrous membrane is not clear. Usually a painful segmental thrombosis of the corpora cavernosa was found proximal the membrane. Until 1985 diagnosis and therapy of this entity have principially involved invasiv methods. Later computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were used for noninvasive imaging and conservative management was elected. We report a case of partial priapism and review the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in the previous literature.

[Interstitial laser coagulation of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Die interstitielle Laserkoagulation der benignen Prostatahyperplasie.

We report on the new method of interstitial laser coagulation for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The procedure is based on the interstitial application of Nd:YAG laser irradiation, delivered through a new light guide system. Such light applicators coagulate constant tissue volumes in a homogeneous manner, as proven by in vitro studies in different tissues, including surgically removed prostate adenoma. The extent of the coagulation is determined by laser power and irradiation time. At 5 W, for example, and during a 10-min period, this zone reached a diameter of up to 20 mm. Temperatures generated in the process were over 100 degrees C, as measured by time/space resolution. These results were confirmed by in vivo studies in canine prostates. In the course of 7 weeks, the coagulated areas formed scars with degeneration and fibrosis, accompanied by marked shrinking. Neighbouring organs were not affected. The method was successfully transferred to clinical practice. The application of the light guides to the lateral lobes was performed percutaneously from the perineum under transrectal ultrasound guidance. The median lobe was punctured transurethrally under direct vision. Twenty-seven patients with an average age of 67.7 years were treated between July 1991 and March 1992. At the time of evaluation 15 patients had a follow-up of more than 2 months. They experienced a mean increase of peak flow rate from 6.6 to 15.2 ml/s and a mean decrease of residual volume from 206 to 38 ml. This was accompanied by a marked lessening of symptoms. The average prostate weight decreased from 63 to 44 g. Sexually active patients did not experience retrograde ejaculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[European Association of Urology guidelines on urinary and male genital tract infections]. / Synoptische Leitlinie der sexuell übertragbaren Erkrankungen (STD) mit Primärsymptomen im männlichen Genitale (S1). Leitinien der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie.

Today, the classical bacteria that cause venereal diseases, e.g. gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid and inguinal granuloma, only account for a small proportion of all known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other bacteria and viruses as well as yeasts, protozoa and epizoa must also be regarded as causative organisms of STD. Taken together, all sexually transmitted infections comprise more than 30 relevant STD pathogens. However, not all pathogens that can be sexually transmitted manifest diseases in the genitals and not all infections of the genitals are exclusively sexually transmitted. Concise information and tables summarising the diagnostic and therapeutic management of STDs in the field of urology allow a synoptic overview, and are in agreement with the recent international guidelines of other specialist areas. Special considerations (i.e. HIV infection, pregnancy, infants, allergy) and recommended regimens are presented.