Patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis exhibit a decrease in both the fungicidal activity of neutrophils and the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is an important and underestimated fungal infection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the fungicidal and proliferative capacities of neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), respectively and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of a cohort of Colombian patients diagnosed with RVVC. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 66 women were included (40 diagnosed with RVVC and 26 healthy women [HW]). Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Vaginal fluid samples were obtained for isolation, identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida species using selective culture media and the Vitek 2.0® system. Blood samples were also obtained to evaluate cell subpopulations; furthermore, neutrophils and PBMCs were isolated to determine their fungicidal and proliferative capacities, respectively. RESULTS: The median age was 29 (IQR: 34-23) for RVVC and 24 (IQR: 30-23) for HW. Only two species of the genus Candida were identified: Candida albicans (92.5%) and Candida lusitaniae (7.5%). Resistance to fluconazole, voriconazole, flucytosine and amphotericin B was observed on six C. albicans isolates and one C. lusitaniae isolate. Only the family history of vulvovaginal candidiasis was associated with RVVC occurrence. The RVVC group exhibited a significantly higher number of neutrophils but with lower fungicidal activity in comparison to HW; likewise, PBMCs from RVVC patients presented a lower proliferation index when stimulated with C. albicans. CONCLUSION: Contrary to what has been reported worldwide, in Colombian patients with RVVC, C. albicans was the main isolated species without increased antifungal resistance. The diminished fungicidal and proliferative capacities of neutrophils and PBMCs, respectively, could suggest a possible alteration in the innate and adaptive immune responses.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection and associated factors in the anal canal of HIV-positive patients in Medellín, 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) anal infection and associated factors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients in Medellín. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study in 300 HIV-positive patients, adults, with history of anal intercourse, treated in two health care services of Medellín 2017-2018. We conducted a structured survey on sociodemographics, sexual behavior and medical history. HPV was detected in anal swabs tested by the COBAS 4800 system. Exploratory data analysis of risk factors associated with HR-HPV was conducted by chi-square test of independence and both raw and adjusted prevalence ratios used the Poisson regression model, at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The high-risk HPV had a prevalence of 82.7%; HPV16 had a prevalence of 32.7%, HPV18 a prevalence of 21.7% and other HPV types scored 78.3%. The high-risk HPV prevalence in women was of 68.2% and 83.8% in men. The risk factors associated with high-risk HPV after adjustment were age under 30 years, elementary education, casual sex partners, and first sexual activity before 18 years old. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of high-risk HPV, along with the occurrence of coinfections by multiple types in the study population shows their susceptibility to develop some type of anal intra-epithelial neoplasia. It is important to establish sexual health programs focused on primary health care.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection and associated factors in the anal canal of HIV-positive patients in Medellín, 2017-2018 / Infección por el virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo y factores asociados en canal anal de pacientes con VIH en Medellín, 2017-2018

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) anal infection and associated factors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients in Medellín. METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional study in 300 HIV-positive patients, adults, with history of anal intercourse, treated in two health care services of Medellín 2017-2018. We conducted a structured survey on sociodemographics, sexual behavior and medical history. HPV was detected in anal swabs tested by the COBAS 4800 system. Exploratory data analysis of risk factors associated with HR-HPV was conducted by chi-square test of independence and both raw and adjusted prevalence ratios used the Poisson regression model, at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS The high-risk HPV had a prevalence of 82.7%; HPV16 had a prevalence of 32.7%, HPV18 a prevalence of 21.7% and other HPV types scored 78.3%. The high-risk HPV prevalence in women was of 68.2% and 83.8% in men. The risk factors associated with high-risk HPV after adjustment were age under 30 years, elementary education, casual sex partners, and first sexual activity before 18 years old. CONCLUSIONS The high incidence of high-risk HPV, along with the occurrence of coinfections by multiple types in the study population shows their susceptibility to develop some type of anal intra-epithelial neoplasia. It is important to establish sexual health programs focused on primary health care.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Estimar la prevalencia de la infección anal por el virus del papiloma humano de alto riesgo y factores asociados en pacientes con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) de Medellín. MÉTODOS Estudio descriptivo transversal en 300 pacientes VIH positivos, adultos, con historia de relaciones sexuales anales, atendidos en dos instituciones de salud de Medellín 2017-2018. Se aplicó una encuesta estructurada sobre características socio-demográficas, comportamiento sexual y antecedentes clínicos. El VPH se detectó en muestras de exfoliado anal mediante la prueba COBAS 4800. Se realizó análisis exploratorio de factores de riesgo asociados al VPH-AR mediante la prueba Chi cuadrado de independencia y razones de prevalencia cruda y ajustadas por regresión de Poisson, con intervalos del 95%.de confianza. RESULTADOS La prevalencia global de VPHAR fue 82,7%; VPH 16 de 32,7%, VPH 18 de 21,7% y otros tipos 78,3%. La prevalencia de VPHAR en mujeres fue de 68,2% y en hombres, 83,8%. Los factores de riesgo asociados al VPH-AR luego del ajuste fueron tener menos de 30 años, algún grado de educación básica primaria, pareja ocasional e inicio de relaciones sexuales antes de 18 años. CONCLUSIONES La alta frecuencia de infección por VPHAR, así como la existencia de co-infecciones por múltiples tipos en la población de estudio muestra la susceptibilidad que tienen para desarrollar algún grado de Neoplasia Intraepitelial Anal. Es importante establecer programas de promoción de la salud sexual con enfoque de atención primaria.