Clinical and epidemiological features of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the clinical and epidemiological features of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 240 cases of histologically confirmed cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions to determine any correlation between HPV infection characteristics, age distribution, and cervical epithelial lesions. RESULTS: Patients between the ages of 31 and 40 with cervical intraepithelial lesions were more likely to have high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL; 40.7%) than low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL; 31.3%) (P < 0.05). In patients with HSIL, HR-HPV16, HR-HPV33, and HR-HPV52 were the most common types of HPV infection, while in patients with LSIL, HR-HPV16, HR-HPV52, and HR-HPV58 were the most common types of HPV infection. The highest percentage of single infections occurred in the HSIL group (69.6%), followed by the LSIL group (68.8%). HSIL was present in a significant number of patients (28.6%) aged 30 years and above who tested positive for 12 HPV types but negative for TCT. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HSIL is greatest in younger patients. Patients with cervical epithelial lesions typically have a single infection of a high-risk HPV genotype-HR-HPV16, HR-HPV33, HR-HPV52, or HR-HPV58. Patients aged 30 years and above who test positive for one of 12 types of HPV but negative for TCT are at increased risk for developing HSIL. In order to detect cervical lesions early and begin treatment without delay, colposcopy should be performed regardless of whether or not a high-risk HPV infection is present.

Redescription of Opalina triangulata (Heterokonta, Opalinea) from Fejervarya limnocharis based on morphological and molecular data.

Opalinids are a large group of anaerobic protists, mainly inhabiting the cloacae of amphibians (frogs and toads). The classification of this group has not been fully resolved, because of a lack of molecular information. Here, we give a redescription of Opalina triangulata Metcalf, 1923, collected from the rectum of the frog Fejervarya limnocharis, based on detailed morphological and molecular data. Our phylogenetic analyses confirmed the monophyly of Opalinata. Within it, Opalinea were monophyletic with O. triangulata and O. undulata as well as two Protoopalina species grouping together. Karotomorpha and Proteromonas did not group together confirming the paraphyly of Proteromonadea. Meanwhile, the ITS2 secondary structural similarities as well as G-C content revealed greater similitudes between Opalina species and P. lacertae than with Blastocystis hominis, which is in accordance with their position as sister clades in the SSU rDNA-based phylogenies.