Recent HPV self-sampling use for cervical cancer screening in Latin America and Caribbean: a systematic review.

Objective: Cervical cancer is one of the deadliest cancers among women in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), where most of the countries have not been successful in implementing population-level cytology-based screening programs. An increasing body of evidence supports the validity of self-sampling as an alternative to clinician collection for primary Human papillomavirus (HPV) screening. Therefore, this work aims to summarize recent HPV self-sampling approaches in LAC. Method: We performed a systematic review to identify studies focused on "Self-sampling", and "Human Papillomavirus DNA test" and "Latin America" in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library and SCOPUS databases for publications dating between 01 January 2017 and 15 March 2022 based on the Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Additionally, the references of the articles were carefully reviewed. Results: Of the 97 records selected, 20 studies including 163,787 participants, with sample sizes for individual studies ranging from 24 to 147,590 were included in this review. Studies were conducted in 10 LAC countries (18.5%), most with upper medium-income economies (70%). The range of age was 18 to ≥65 years. The vast majority of the studies (85%) addressed the HPV self-sampling strategy for primary cervical cancer screening with overall success for all women including under/never screened and those from special populations (rural, indigenous and gender minorities). Women generally found HPV self-sampling highly acceptable regardless of age, setting of collection, target population or country of residence. Conclusions: HPV self-sampling is a promising strategy to overcome the multiple barriers to cervical cancer screening in LAC settings and increasing attendance in underscreened women in countries/territories with well-established screening programs. Furthermore, this strategy is useful even in LAC countries/territories without organized cervical cancer screening and in special populations such as indigenous, rural and transgender women. Therefore, the information generated by the recent initiatives for HPV self-sampling approach in LAC can be beneficial for decision-making in both new and existing programs in the region.

COVID-19 Infection in the Human Reproductive Tract of Men and Nonpregnant Women.

SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped non-segmented positive-sense RNA virus, classified as a beta coronavirus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), reported as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor, is expressed in different human tissues (lung, intestine, and kidney) and in the testis, ovaries, uterus, and vagina. This suggests a potential risk to the human reproductive tract in COVID-19 patients. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in the blood, urine, facial/anal swabs, semen, and vaginal secretion, suggesting other potential means of transmission. However, little has been reported about SARS-CoV-2 infection in the male and nonpregnant female reproductive tracts, which may provide direct evidence on sexual transmission and fertility problems. Therefore, we focused this narrative review mainly on the distribution of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 positivity in the male and nonpregnant female reproductive tracts, providing an overview of the potential threat of COVID-19 to reproductive health and sexual transmission.

Persistence and clinical relevance of Zika virus in the male genital tract.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-transmitted flavivirus associated with congenital abnormalities in newborns and with Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The virus can also be sexually transmitted and can persist in the male genital tract. Studies evaluating the kinetics of ZIKV in seminal shedding of men who have been infected, as well as in animal and cellular models of infection, have shown that, in addition to the testis and epididymis, the prostate and seminal vesicles could also be involved in persistent ZIKV infection. Additionally, some studies have reported that men infected with ZIKV can present with genitourinary symptoms such as haematospermia, prostatitis, painful ejaculation, penile discharge, and oligospermia; however, little is known about the effect of ZIKV on fertility. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie persistent ZIKV infections in men is crucial to developing guidelines, effective vaccines, and therapies.

Case Reports: Prolonged Detection of Zika Virus RNA in Vaginal and Endocervical Samples from a Brazilian Woman, 2018.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is an emerging public health problem, associated with increased risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome and adverse fetal outcomes, including congenital microcephaly. Zika virus sexual transmission is known, but detection of the virus in different parts of the female reproductive tract is not well established. In this case report, we describe prolonged detection of ZIKV RNA in the vaginal secretion and endocervical mucosa from a Brazilian woman convalescent to ZIKV infection. A viral load of 2 × 102 copies/mL was detected up to 31 days after symptom onset in both samples. Other biological fluids, including whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, and saliva samples, were negative for ZIKV RNA. These findings advance the understanding of ZIKV infection and provide data for additional testing strategies.

Artepillin C Induces Selective Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Migration and Invasion in a Comprehensive Panel of Human Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Artepillin C (3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) is the main bioactive component of Brazilian green propolis, and possesses, among other things, anticancer properties. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies of artepillin C in cervical cancer. METHOD: To explore a new therapeutic candidate for cervical cancer, we have evaluated the effects of artepillin C on cellular viability in a comprehensive panel of human cervical cancer-derived cell lines including HeLa (human papillomavirus/HPV 18-positive), SiHa (HPV 16-positive), CaSki (HPV 16- and 18-positive) and C33A (HPV-negative) cells compared to a spontaneously immortalized human epithelial cell line (HaCaT). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that artepillin C had a selective effect on cellular viability and could induce apoptosis possibly by intrinsic pathway, likely a result of oxidative stress, in all cancer-derived cell lines but not in HaCaT. Additionally, artepillin C was able to inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Thus, artepillin C appears to be a promising new candidate as an anticancer drug for cervical cancer induced by different HPV types.

Spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of Brazilian Sapindus saponaria.

BACKGROUND: Sapindus saponaria is used traditionally for curing ulcers, external wounds and inflammations. The spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity of S. saponaria and its effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus were evaluated. METHODS: Water-ethanol (WE) and butanolic (BE) extracts, as well as a purified sample of saponins (SP) from S. saponaria were tested for spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity and for their effect on L. acidophilus. RESULTS: WE, BE and SP immobilized spermatozoa at a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 2.5 (gram %) for extracts and 1.25 (gram %) for SP. The effective concentrations that caused 50% immobilization of spermatozoa (EC50) were 0.5 (gram %) for WE and SP, and 0.1 (gram %) for BE. The compounds were effective against Trichomonas vaginalis (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration = 0.156 mg/mL for WE and BE, and 0.078 mg/mL for SP against a clinical strain (CS); and 0.312, 0.156 and 0.078 mg/mL for WE, BE and SP, respectively, against an ATCC strain). In all concentrations tested, the growth of L. acidophilus was not reduced. CONCLUSION: The in vitro study proved the spermicidal and anti-Trichomonas activity of S. saponaria. Complementary in vivo studies should be made for establish the use as a vaginal spermicide, particularly in Brazil and Latin America.