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BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in women worldwide. The persistence of the virus may cause warts that are considered benign lesions and low or high grade intraepithelial lesions (LSIL/HSIL). Immunological system plays an important role in the resolution of infections. In this context, we highlight the chemokines, which are important regulators in the development of viral infections and inflammation. Among which CXCL12 stands out, due to its pro-inflammatory features, acting as chemoattractant recruiting immune cells. Several polymorphisms were identified in CXCL12 gene including rs1801157 in the 3′-untranslated region, which is characterized by a substitution of a guanine for an adenine.MethodsIn this study, 195 women were classified as HPV non-infected and 169 as HPV-infected. HPV-DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the polymorphism was assessed in blood cells through restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.ResultsHPV infection was more incident in women who had more than 4 sexual partners during lifetime (p = 0.007), among those who presented lower number of pregnancies (p = 0.017). HPV was more prevalent among allele A carriers confirmed by logistic regression analysis adjusted for several confounding factors [ORADJ = 4.985; CI95% (2.85–8.72), p < 0.001]. An association between allele A carriers and HSIL development (p = 0.003) was also observed.ConclusionsIn the present study, we demonstrated that CXCL12 rs1801157 is independently associated with HPV infection and exerts influence in HSIL development, suggesting it as a promising susceptibility biomarker for HPV infection and lesions development.

The main purpose was to assess the effect of c.29C>T and c.74G>C polymorphisms in the TGFB1 signal peptide on HPV infection and development of cervical lesions. Cervical swabs and blood samples were obtained from 349 outpatient women, along with socio-demographic and sexual behavioral data. The study population was stratified by absence or presence of HPV DNA, as tested by PCR, as well as by lesion grade. TGFB1 signal peptide polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. HPV DNA was detected in 172 (49.3%) patients. c.74GC and the combined c.29CC+CT/c.74GC genotype were more frequent in infected patients (35.1 and 15.7%) than in uninfected women (6.2 and 14.7%). Accordingly, these genotypes were associated with a higher risk of HPV infection, with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of 2.81 and 1.35-5.86 (P = 0.004) for c.74GC and 3.14 and 1.42-6.94 (P = 0.004) for the combined genotype, respectively. High-grade lesions were also 2.48 times more likely to occur in c.29CC patients than in c.29TT patients, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.01-6.08 (P = 0.047). The data demonstrate that c.74G>C and c.29C>T polymorphisms are significantly associated with risk of HPV infection and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, respectively. Thus, TGFB1 signal peptide polymorphisms are potential susceptibility markers.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can lead to the development of productive epithelial lesions and cervical cancer. Most cervical HPV infections are solved by cell‐mediated immunity within 1–2 years, and it is known that chronic inflammation predisposes to lesions progression and tumour development. In this context, we highlight the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) which is involved in leucocytes chemotaxis to sites of inflammation, controlling the immune response. The CCR5 rs333 genotyping of 164 HPV infected women and 185 non‐infected women was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HPV infection was more frequent among women under 34 years old (p < 0.001), single (p = 0.001), that received 1 minimum wage or less (p = 0.002), tobacco smokers (p = 0.007), who had the first sexual intercourse before 17 years old (p = 0.038) and that had 4 or more sexual partners during lifetime (p = 0.001). No significant difference regarding genotypes and alleles distribution according to HPV infection was observed. CCR5/CCR5 genotype was observed in 94.1% of HPV non‐infected women and in 89% of infected ones, CCR5/Δ32 in 5.9% of HPV infected and in 10.4% of non‐infected women, and Δ32/Δ32 was observed in only one (0.6%) infected patient. CCR5 genotypes were also not associated with cervical lesions development among HPV infected women (p = 0.167). Since CCR5 may control the antitumour immune response and cervical lesions and the studied rs333 polymorphism is not very frequent, other studies are necessary, in order to establish CCR5 role on HPV infection and squamous intraepithelial lesions development.

Introduction: Although tattoos are ancient and very popular among young people, it is also a reason for regret, and many people today have a desire to remove them. Among the possibilities for this, laser removal is the most successful procedure with the highest degree of pigment removal and the lowest risk of complications. Methods: This study was recorded on three patients with tattoos, and only the black pigments were removed. None of the patients involved had a history of skin allergies, skin cancer, and/or keloid formation. Case 1 had a professional tattoo removed in the right calf region in two sessions. Case 2 had an amateur tattoo that was removed on the scalp in three sessions. Finally, Case 3 had two professional tattoos, which were removed from the face in a total of eleven sessions. The following equipment was used: Spectra XT Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm with a pulse width of 5 ns; Pico Ultra 300 Nd:YAG 1064 nm with a pulse width of 300 ps; and SoftLight Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm with a pulse width of 17 ns. Results: In general, satisfactory results were obtained, but hypopigmentation was present in Cases 1 and 3. This was probably due to sun exposure at the laser removal site, the short interval between the sessions, and/or higher radiant exposure combined with a smaller spot size, respectively. Conclusion: To achieve a successful tattoo removal in the higher phototypes and reduce unwanted effects, the professionals must know the best parameters to be used, as well as the adequate foundation on the individual characteristics of each patient and the tattoos. Furthermore, patient compliance with the pre/post session care and a suitable interval between the laser sessions are essential to avoid undesirable complications.

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