The large majority of studies investigating associations between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been conducted among predominantly young women with high risk for STIs. Since a risky sexual behavior is a significant risk factor for both STIs and BV, this creates a bias toward an increased association between BV and STIs. This study evaluated associations between BV-associated vaginal microbiota and STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae) in a population of women with low risk for STIs and investigated STI outcomes depending on the dominating Lactobacillus species. Repository cervicovaginal samples collected from reproductive-age women from January 2014 to February 2019 were characterized for vaginal microbiota types and the STIs using multiplex real-time PCR assays. In total, 95 STI-positive and 91 STI-negative samples were included. A significant, age-independent association between BV-associated vaginal microbiota and the presence of C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, and T. vaginalis infections was identified (age-adjusted odds ratios 2.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-7.03], 2.88 [95% CI 1.19-7.16], and 9.75 × 10 7 [95% CI 13.03-∞], respectively). Normal vaginal microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri, or L. jensenii was a strong protective factor against C. trachomatis and/or M. genitalium infections, whereas L. iners-dominated microbiota was not significantly associated with C. trachomatis and/or M. genitalium positivity. The results of the present study confirm that STI prevention strategies should include interventions that also reduce the incidence of BV and promote a protective vaginal microbiota in both high-and low-risk women.
Introduction. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the primary cause of pathological vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae are considered key components of the vaginal microflora in BV. Etiology, pathogenesis and modes of transmission of BV are actively studied, however these questions still remain unanswered. Objective: investigate predictor factors of BV in women with vaginal discharge. Material and methods. In total, 318 women were included. As clinical material, vaginal samples were used. BV was diagnosed using the Nugent method. For quantitative determination of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae DNA, real-time PCR was used. Behavioral and anamnestic data were obtained from questionnaire filled out by the patients. Results. BV was diagnosed in 27 % of women. G. vaginalis and A. vaginae DNA was detected, respectively, in 93 % and 83 % of patients with BV, 73 % and 59 % - with intermediate microflora, 52 % and 38 % - with normal microflora. Difference between the three types of microflora in the frequency and concentrations of these microorganisms were statistically significant. Detection of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae were significant predictor factors of BV (OR 12.2; 95 % CI 5.1-29.4 and OR 7.9; 95 % CI 4.2-14.9, respectively), with chances to diagnose BV being manifold increased when clinically significant concentrations of these bacteria were detected (≥3×106 and ≥8×105 DNA copies/ml for G. vaginalis and A. vaginae, respectively). Detection of clue cells in Gram stained preparations was shown to be the strongest BV predictor (OR 765.6; 95 % CI 99.6-5883.2). Conclusions. BV is diagnosed in more than one fourth of women with vaginal discharge. Detection of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae, especially in clinically significant concentrations, and clue cells in Gram stained preparations are significant predictor factors of BV.
PurposeLittle is known about the susceptibility of posterior segment tissues, particularly the human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE), to Chlamydia trachomatis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the possibility of infecting the hRPE with Chlamydia trachomatis, and to examine the infectivity of different Chlamydia trachomatis clinical isolates for hRPE cells and the hRPE cell response to the infection.MethodsCultured hRPE and McCoy cells were inoculated with eight Chlamydia trachomatis (serovar E) clinical isolates at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2.0 or 0.3. To detect Chlamydia trachomatis, samples were stained immunohistochemically with anti-major outer membrane protein antibodies at 24h, 48h, and 72h postinoculation (PI). The changes in the expression of signaling molecules and proteins of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix in hRPE cells were examined immunohistochemically.ResultsAll eight clinical isolates demonstrated ability to infect hRPE cells. At equal MOI of 0.3, the infectivity of Chlamydia trachomatis clinical isolates for RPE culture was found to be at least as high as that for McCoy cell culture. At 24h PI, the percentage of inclusion-containing cells varied from 1.5 ± 0.52 to 14.6 ± 3.3% in hRPE cell culture infected at MOI of 2.0 against 0.37 ± 0.34 to 8.9 ± 0.2% in McCoy cell culture infected at MOI of 0.3. Collagen type I, collagen type IV, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin–8 expression at 48h PI were maximally increased, by 2.1-, 1.3-, 1.5-, 1.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively, in the Chlamydia trachomatis-infected compared with control hRPE cell culture specimens (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study, for the first time, proved the possibility of infecting hRPE cultured cells with Chlamydia trachomatis, which leads to proproliferative and proinflammatory changes in the expression of signaling molecules and extracellular matrix components.
The prevalence of syphilis with RP and TPHA was 0.9% (12/1400). RTs for syphilis showed > 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity. RTs for C trachomatis showed a low sensitivity between 22 -37% and a 99% specificity, RTs for N gonorrhoeae showed 97%. Conclusions In women with symptoms of LGTIs RTs used at the point of care for syphilis have a sensitivity > 90%. RTs for CT have sensitivity < 40% and Rts for NG have sensitivity < 12.5% %.Funded Background Young people are worldwide a risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a primary target for screening. Knowledge on STI prevalence in the youths is essential to elaborate preventive measures. Self-sampling has been shown to be an effective approach in screening and epidemiological programmes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis in young people in St. Petersburg, Russia using self-collected non-invasive specimens. Methods In total, 1207 consecutive sexually active attendees (1053 female and 154 male) of the youth centre Yuventa in St. Petersburg, Russia, aged 15-25 years and consenting to participate, were enrolled in the study from June through November 2011. The mean age of the women was 20.2 ± 2.8 years, and the men 20.2 ± 2.9 years. Vaginal and male urine samples were self-collected using SelfCollection Specimen Kit (Central Research Institute for Epidemiology, Russia) and UriSWAB (Copan, Italy), respectively. Testing for the STIs was performed by multiplex real-time PCR (AmpliSens N.gonorrhoeae/C.trachomatis/M.genitalium/T.vaginalis-MUL-TIPRIME-FRT, Central Research Institute for Epidemiology). Results The overall prevalence of the examined STIs was 8.1% (85 of 1053) in the women and 7.8% (12 of 154) in the men. C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, M. genitalium and T. vaginalis were detected in 70 (6.6%), 6 (0.6%), 12 (1.1%) and 3 (0.3%) women, respectively. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and M. genitalium in the men was 6.5% (10 of 154) and 1.3% (2 of 154). N. gonorrhoeae or T. vaginalis were not detected in any men. In 7 women, multiple agents were found, i.e., C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae (n = 3), C. trachomatis and M. genitalium (n = 2), and M. genitalium and T. vaginalis (n = 1). laboraTory diagnoSiS of geniTal P2.022Background The knowledge about approaches used for diagnosis of STIs in Ukraine is scarce. Aiming to optimise the laboratory diagnosis of STIs and introduce antimicrobial resistance surveillance for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we aimed to survey the algorithms, methodologies and reagents used, and the laboratory capacities and possibilities in three regions of Ukraine. Methods Laboratories of three regions of Ukraine, namely Dnepropetrovsk, Ternopil and Zaporoz, were visited and detailed interviews were conducted. Results The three main dispensaries visited serve both the corresponding region as well as the city needs, and also have their own outpatient clinics. Large number of samples is tested, for example in Dnepropetrovsk an...
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