RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The influence of functional polymorphisms in the genes coding for mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) on recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) were examined in an urban Brazilian population. METHODS: DNA was isolated from buccal swabs of 100 women with RVVC and 100 control women and tested by gene amplification for a single nucleotide polymorphism in codon 54 of the MBL2 gene and for a length polymorphism in intron 2 of the IL1RN gene. Genotype and allele frequencies were compared between groups. RESULTS: The frequency of the variant MBL2 B allele, associated with reduced circulating and vaginal MBL concentrations, was 27.0% in RVVC and 8.5% in control women (p < .0001). The MBL2 B,B genotype was present in 12% of RVVC patients and 1% of controls (p = .0025). The IL1RN 2 allele frequency, associated with the highest level of unopposed IL-1ß activity, was 24.0% in RVVC and 23.4% in controls. The IL1RN genotype distribution was also similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Carriage of the MBL2 codon 54 polymorphism, but not the IL1RN length polymorphism, predisposes to RVVC in Brazilian women.
Assuntos
Candidíase Vulvovaginal/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Proteína Antagonista do Receptor de Interleucina 1/genética , Lectina de Ligação a Manose/genética , Polimorfismo Genético , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Feminino , Frequência do Gene , Humanos , Íntrons , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sexual behavior and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among undergraduate students in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Self-reported questionnaires were used. RESULTS: Most of the 447 students in the study were single (97.3%), in their first year of university (87.7%), and the mean ages were 20.4 years (males) and 19.8 years (females). Vaginal intercourse was practiced by 69.7% of males and 48.4% of females, oral sex by 64.5% of males and 43.7% of females, and anal sex by 18.4% of males and 14.1% of females. Use of a condom during vaginal sex was practiced by 80.4% of males and 74.8% of females and during anal sex by 47.8% of males and 30.0% of females. Knowledge of transmission of STIs was greater than 90% for HIV, syphilis, genital herpes, and gonorrhea; 63%-76% for HPV and genital warts; 30%-34% for Trichomonas and only 16% for Chlamydia. Only 25%-34% knew that HIV was transmitted by breastfeeding; 56%-60% knew that HIV was transmitted by anal sex. CONCLUSION: Many students engage in high-risk sexual behavior with multiple partners and use condoms inconsistently. Knowledge of the acquisition and modes of sexual and vertical transmission of HIV are strikingly deficient.