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Vaginal microbiota and viral sexually transmitted diseases.

Healthy vaginal microbiota is an important biological barrier to pathogenic microorganisms. When this predominantly Lactobacillus community is disrupted, decreased in abundance and replaced by different anaerobes, bacterial vaginosis (BV) may occur. BV is associated with prevalence and incidence of several sexually transmitted infections. This review provides background on BV, discusses the epidemiologic data to support a role of altered vaginal microbiota for acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases and analyzes mechanisms by which lactobacilli could counteract sexually transmitted viral infections.

A survey of knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among patients at a public hospital in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the patients' knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A face-to-face interview was conducted among the patients visiting the Venereal Diseases Outpatient Department of the General Hospital of Pulau Pinang (Malaysia). A 19-item questionnaire was used. A total of 116 patients participated in the study and 107 patients had valid responses. The reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire tool was estimated on the basis of Cronbach's alpha (= 0.81). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 13.0(R)) was used for data analysis. Student's t test and analysis of variance were used to analyse the knowledge differences among the groups. RESULTS: Of the 107 patients, 82 (76.6%) were diagnosed with syphilis; AIDS was the most commonly known STI among the patients. Of the 107 patients, 35 were sexually active and of these 23 (65.7%) had more than 1 sexual partner. The most popular source of knowledge was newspapers (51 patients, 47.7%), with hospitals (3 patients, 2.8%) being the least popular one. Overall mean score on knowledge questions was 12.21 out of the maximum of 33 points. Knowledge about causative organisms, risk groups, transmission, symptoms, prevention and treatment of STIs was inadequate. The knowledge level was significantly related to gender (p = 0.03), religion (p = 0.005), educational level (p = 0.000), marital status (p = 0.000) and income level (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated evidence of poor knowledge of STIs amongst the patients attending an STI service in the General Hospital of Pulau Pinang (Malaysia). Hence there is an immediate need for efforts towards improving patient knowledge of STIs.

Social Networks Shape the Transmission Dynamics of Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 170 million people worldwide, and is a major public health problem in Brazil, where over 1% of the population may be infected and where multiple viral genotypes co-circulate. Chronically infected individuals are both the source of transmission to others and are at risk for HCV-related diseases, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. Before the adoption of anti-HCV control measures in blood banks, this virus was mainly transmitted via blood transfusion. Today, needle sharing among injecting drug users is the most common form of HCV transmission. Of particular importance is that HCV prevalence is growing in non-risk groups. Since there is no vaccine against HCV, it is important to determine the factors that control viral transmission in order to develop more efficient control measures. However, despite the health costs associated with HCV, the factors that determine the spread of virus at the epidemiological scale are often poorlyunderstood. Here, we sequenced partial NS5b gene sequences sampled from blood samples collected from 591 patients in São Paulo state, Brazil. We show that different viral genotypes entered São Paulo at different times, grew at different rates, and are associated with different age groups and risk behaviors. In particular, subtype 1b is older and grew more slowly than subtypes 1a and 3a, and is associated with multiple age classes. In contrast, subtypes 1a and 3b are associated with younger people infected more recently, possibly with higher rates of sexual transmission. The transmission dynamics of HCV in São Paulo therefore vary by subtype and are determined by a combination of age, risk exposure and underlying social network. We conclude that social factors may play a key role in determining the rate and pattern of HCV spread, and should influence future intervention policies.

Utilidad de las técnicas de biología molecular en el diagnóstico de las infecciones de transmisión sexual y otras infecciones genitales / Utility of molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases and genital infections

Históricamente, el diagnóstico de las infecciones de transmisión sexual ha sido difícil. La introducción en el diagnóstico microbiológico de las técnicas de biología molecular y su aplicación a muestras no invasivas ha permitido importantes avances en su diagnóstico. En general, la detección de Neisseria gonorrhoeae mediante técnicas de biología molecular proporciona un diagnóstico presuntivo y requiere confirmación por cultivo en zonas de baja prevalencia. Para Chlamydia trachomatis, estas técnicas se consideran como las más sensibles y específicas, tanto para estudios de cribado poblacional, como para el diagnóstico de pacientes sintomáticos. El diagnóstico de Mycoplasma genitalium por cultivo es muy lento, por ello, las técnicas moleculares son las únicas que pueden aportar información diagnóstica relevante. Para Treponema pallidum, las técnicas moleculares pueden aportar ventajas en el diagnóstico directo de la infección. Respecto a la donovaniosis, las técnicas moleculares no están establecidas para el diagnóstico sistemático, aunque se recomiendan en manos expertas. En el caso de Haemophilus ducreyi, las dificultades del cultivo y su baja sensibilidad aconsejan el uso de métodos moleculares. En el herpes genital, las técnicas moleculares han comenzado a recomendarse para el diagnóstico sistemático y pueden convertirse en la técnica de referencia en poco tiempo. Para otras infecciones genitales, como vaginosis bacteriana, vulvovaginitis candidiásica y tricomoniasis, los métodos moleculares para el diagnóstico están poco establecidos. Respecto a las verrugas genitales, las técnicas de cribado y genotipado disponibles para muestras endocervicales podrían utilizarse para ciertas poblaciones, aunque no se han validado para este cometido(AU)

Historically, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has been difficult. The introduction of molecular biology techniques in microbiological diagnosis and their application to non-invasive samples has produced significant advances in the diagnosis of these diseases. Overall, detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques provides a presumptive diagnosis and requires confirmation by culture in areas with a low prevalence. For Chlamydia trachomatis infections, these techniques are considered to be the most sensitive and specific procedures for mass screening studies, as well as for the diagnosis of symptomatic patients. Diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium infection by culture is very slow and consequently molecular techniques are the only procedures that can provide relevant diagnostic information. For Treponema pallidum, molecular techniques can provide direct benefits in the diagnosis of infection. Molecular techniques are not established for the routine diagnosis of donovanosis, but can be recommended when performed by experts. Molecular methods are advisable in Haemophilus ducreyi, because of the difficulties of culture and its low sensitivity. In genital herpes, molecular techniques have begun to be recommended for routine diagnosis and could soon become the technique of choice. For other genital infections, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidosis and trichomoniasis, diagnosis by molecular methods is poorly established. With genital warts, techniques available for screening and genotyping of endocervical samples could be used for certain populations, but are not validated for this purpose(AU)

Efficacy of a dish detergent in reducing populations of STI organisms in inoculated female condoms.

We assessed the efficacy of dish detergent in removing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, HIV-1, herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis organisms from the surface of inoculated female condoms. The reductions achieved in organism counts with dish detergent were compared with those for household bleach and water. New (out-of-package) and pre-washed/re-lubricated female condoms were used. Dish detergent was as efficacious as bleach in reducing organism counts from the surface of inoculated female condoms. Both bleach and dish detergent performed better than water, although >3 log(10) reductions were achieved with water alone. There was little difference in organism reduction between new and pre-washed condoms. Furthermore, 30 seconds of mechanical agitation (washing) had minimal added impact on organism removal. Reduction in organism counts with water alone suggests that dilution effect may have been as important in organism removal as the microbicidal properties of the detergent.

Patterns of sexually transmitted infections in adolescents and youth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Syndromic management of STIs has been advocated as simplified and cheap approach. Youth have been reported to be at increased risk of acquiring STIs which can facilitate HIV transmission. We have investigated the relationship between the syndromic management and specific aetiology diagnosis and its relationship with HIV infection and health seeking behaviour among youth attending a reproductive health clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS: Between September 1998 and February 1999 among 1895 adolescents and youth below 25 years seen in the clinic 199 (10.5%) were randomly selected and consented to participate in the study. A standard questionnaire was administered. Blood and vaginal or urethral specimens were taken and investigated for STI causative agents. RESULTS: Among a total of 199 studied adolescents and youth 22.6 % were teenagers, with fewer females 17.8% than males; 27.5% (p < 0.018). 20.8% of the females compared to 11.5% in males were HIV infected. Genital discharge was the most common complaint which was reported in 54.1% of male and 63.4 % of female patients. All males with gonorrhoea and four out of five with Chlamydia were given appropriate treatment with syndromic management, while 28% women with gonorrhoea or Chlamydia received appropriate treatment by syndromic management. All patients found with active syphilis by serology had not complained of genital ulcers and would not have been assigned to syndromic treatment for syphilis at the initial visit. CONCLUSION: The burden of STIs in this youth population is large indicating that youth are at increased risk of STIs and will certainly require youth friendly clinics. There is a need to refine the current syndromic management guidelines.

Sexually transmitted infections in men.

The diagnosis and treatment of STDs is a common problem in primary care practice; however, newer diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives require physicians to be aware of evidence-based guidelines that are continuing to evolve. The treatment of STDs in men, in particular, is an area of evolving evidence because much of what is known is based on the treatment of STDs in women. Men represent unique challenges in diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up that need to be considered in the treatment of urethritis, epididymitis, herpes genitalis, condyloma, prostatitis, and other syndromes. Screening for asymptomatic STDs is currently not recommended in the general population, but selected criteria can be used to identify a target population for screening in high-risk areas.

Risk factors for HTLV-I and II in individuals attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases.

BACKGROUND: To date, few studies have provided information on risk factors for human t-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) types I and II in European countries. In particular, few data are available from published studies conducted in STD centers. GOALS: To identify risk factors for HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection and to better distinguish the epidemiologic patterns of the two viruses in Italy. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of individuals at high risk of sexually or parenterally transmitted infections attending a large STD center in an urban setting was conducted. Serologic tests for HTLV-I and II, HIV, hepatitis virus type B (HBV), hepatitis virus type C (HCV), and syphilis were performed. Information regarding at-risk behavior was collected using a specific questionnaire. RESULTS: From January 1994 to June 1996, 1,457 individuals were recruited; of them, 1,016 (69.7%) were males, 1,051 (72.4%) Italians, and 288 (19.8%) non-Europeans. One thousand seventy-five (74.8%) participants were noninjecting-drug-using heterosexuals, 285 (19.6%) were men who have sex with men, and 97 (6.6%) were injecting drug users (IDU). The mean age of the study participants was 33.6 (+/-10.5) years. Nine (0.6%) individuals were positive for HTLV-I antibodies and 9 (0.6%) for HTLV-II antibodies. The prevalence of HTLV-I among IDUs, men who have sex with men, and noninjecting-drug-using heterosexuals, was 2.1% (2/97), 1.4% (4/ 285), and 0.3% (3/1085), respectively. HTLV-II prevalence was 8.2% (8/97) among IDUs and 0.09% (1/1075) among noninjecting-drug-using heterosexuals. Among the nine HTLV-II-positive individuals, eight were Italian IDUs and one was a noninjecting-drug-using heterosexual man from India. None of the 285 men who have sex with men had HTLV-II antibodies. HTLV-infected individuals tended to be older than those who were uninfected. HTLV-I-infected individuals were more likely to be non-European and to have antibodies against Treponema pallidum. Injecting drug use tended to be independently associated with HTLV-II infection. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest a role of sexual behavior in the spread of HTLV-I, which is more likely to be detected in individuals coming from endemic areas. Injecting drug use remains the most important risk factor for HTLV-II infection in Italy.

La microscopía electrónica en el diagnóstico de enfermedades infecciosas de transmisión sexual: experiencia institucional / Diagnosis by electronic micrography of sexually transmited diseases. An institutional experience

Se informa los resultados, de seis estudios de enfermedades de transmisión sexual (STD) que se han hecho en nuestra Institución. En infecciones por el citomegalovirus, el diagnóstico por microscopía electrónica se puede efectuar en menos de media hora a través de la tinción negativa (PTA). En casos de mujeres embarazadas y seropositivas para VIH, fue posible demostrar partículas semejantes a virus de VIH en diferentes niveles dentro del tejido placentario. En los núcleos de celulas del epitelio cervical se observaron partículas virales semejantes a papilomavirus. En este estudio se confirmó que los Mycoplasmas pueden adherirse o penetrar en los espermatozoides. También se muestra que la Chlamydia trachomatis puede llevar a cabo su ciclo vital en el interior de células espermáticas. Finalmente, material fotográfico es presentado para mostrar los mecanismos de invasión de la Gardnerella vaginalis en células epiteliales vaginales

Human papillomavirus DNA in the urogenital tracts of men with gonorrhoea, penile warts or genital dermatoses.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in urethral and urine specimens from men with and without sexually transmitted diseases. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Two London departments of genitourinary medicine PATIENTS: 100 men with urethral gonorrhoea, 31 men with penile warts and 37 men with genital dermatoses. METHODS: Urethral and urine specimens were taken, HPV DNA extracted and then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 were identified using Southern blotting followed by hybridisation. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 18-31% of urethral swab specimens and in 0-14% of urine specimens. Men with penile warts had HPV detected in urethral swabs more often than did men in the other two clinical groups. "High risk" HPV types were found in 71-83% of swab specimens and in 73-80% of urine specimens containing HPV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: HPV is present in the urogenital tracts of men with gonorrhoea, penile warts and with genital dermatoses. In men with urethral gonorrhoea, detection of HPV in urethral specimens is not related to the number of sexual partners, condom usage, racial origin or past history of genital warts. HPV DNA in the urethral swab and urine specimens may represent different aspects of the epidemiology of HPV in the male genital tract. The preponderance of HPV types 16 and 18 in all three groups of men may be relevant to the concept of the "high risk male".

Sexually transmitted viruses other than HIV and papillomavirus.

This review has focused on a select group of viruses that can be sexually transmitted. The viruses include the herpesviruses, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, delta virus, non-A, non-B hepatitis virus(es), and molluscum contagiosum. Their impact on the population alone or in association with HIV disease necessitates a clear understanding of their ability to cause infection and of the manifestations of these infections. Characterization of these particular pathogens and treatment have been discussed with respect to the most current data available. Despite the growing sophistication in the field, we are still limited in our endeavors to identify and manage many viral infections. Therefore, measures to prevent transmission are continually being evaluated in an attempt to minimize exposure to these pathogens.

Genital human papillomavirus infection.

Human papillomavirus is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases. In the past ten years, 60 different types of papillomavirus have been identified. Although the virus often causes asymptomatic genital infection, it has been strongly associated with lower genital tract carcinoma; therefore, its detection and eradication are important. All patients with evidence of human papillomavirus infection should undergo colposcopy and, depending on the extent of infection and the type of histology, should receive definitive treatment.

Sexually transmitted papillomaviral infection in the male: VI. Simultaneous urethral cytology-ViraPap testing of male consorts of women with genital human papillomaviral infection.

A series of 122 males at high risk for development of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection were prospectively studied with simultaneous urethral brushing cytology and ViraPap, to establish their relative sensitivity and specificity in relation to the diagnosis of HPV infection in the urethral canal. The prevalence of disease in this high-risk population was 10 percent. The sensitivity of DNA hybridization was determined to be 67 percent, with a 100 percent specificity, as compared with a 25 percent sensitivity of cytologic analysis. Physical examination alone had a 75 percent sensitivity. Physical examination with ViraPap urethral analysis identified all patients with urethral HPV-associated disease. These results indicate that clinical examination alone misses one quarter of the HPV-involved patients.

[Hepatitis B--an endemic sexually transmitted infection in a local community in Greenland]. / Hepatitis B--en endemisk, seksuelt overført infektion i et grønlandsk lokalsamfund.

Sera from 1,893 persons from the Sisimiut medical district in West Greenland were examined for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and 11.5% were found to be HBsAg-positive. HBeAg and HBV-DNA were found in 6.9% and 5%, respectively of the HBsAg-positive persons. In the population examined, 75% of those aged 25 years had signs of current or previous HBV-infection and an increase in the marker prevalence from 35 to 75% was observed in the age interval 15-25 years. Corresponding to this, the highest incidence of clinically manifest hepatitis was found in this age group: 185 cases per 100,000 per annum. Serological evidence of Hepatitis D virus was found in 10.6% of the HBsAg-positive individuals, electively in young adults. All sera were negative for HIV antibody. In contrast to other arctic populations where perinatal transmission is the most significant mode of infection, sexual transmission appears to be the most important mode of infection in the population investigated here. Prophylaxis of Hepatitis B and further spread of Hepatitis D virus in the HBsAg-positive fraction of the population may be obtained by increased use of condoms and reduction of the number of casual sexual contacts. Secondary prophylaxis in the form of vaccination of neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers combined with vaccination of school children before puberty will probably be effective in this population.

Transmissibility and treatment failures of different types of human papillomavirus.

In order to evaluate the transmissibility and treatment failures of different types of human papillomavirus (HPV), we obtained biopsy specimens from genital lesions related to HPV in 113 women prior to laser therapy. Sixty-eight had condylomata acuminata, 14 had flat condyloma, and 31 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with or without condylomata. Of 76 male sexual partners examined colposcopically, 58 (76%) had HPV-related lesions. All biopsy specimens were analyzed for specific type of HPV DNA by Southern blot hybridization with probes for HPVs 6, 11, 16, and 18. Sixty-one women had HPV 6 or 11 (6/11), 40 had HPV 16 or 18 (16/18), and in 12 the analysis was negative for these types of viral DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis of biopsy specimens from recurrent lesions showed the same type of viral DNA as in the primary lesion. Significantly more male partners (28 of 47) with the same HPV type were found among women with HPV 6/11 than among women with HPV 16/18 (P less than .005). Patients with HPV 16/18 had significantly more recurrences (14 of 40) after laser therapy than patients with HPV 6/11 (six of 60) (P less than .001).