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Abdo NM, Aslam I, Irfan S, George JA, Alsuwaidi AR, Ahmed LA, Al-Rifai RH. Seroepidemiology of Treponema pallidum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum in fertility treatment-seeking patients in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:163-171. [PMID: 38039859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several genital pathogens affect fertility. The study estimated the seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis and identify specific factors associated with exposure to at least one of these pathogens in patients seeking fertility treatment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. METHODS A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in a major fertility clinic in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Serum samples were screened for eight immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) against T. pallidum, U. urealyticum, and M. hominis using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Factors associated with seropositivity to at least one of the pathogens were investigated. RESULTS The study surveyed 308 patients seeking fertility treatment (mean age: 36.1 ± 6.8 years). Most patients were female (88.0%), 24.9% had at least one chronic comorbidity, 19.3% had a previous genital infection, and 68.1% had been diagnosed with infertility for ≥ 6 months. Ig seroprevalence of T. pallidum (IgG: 3.0%, IgM: 3.2%), U. urealyticum (IgG: 2.6%, IgM: 2.0%), and M. hominis (IgG: 33.9%) was 6.4%, 4.6%, and 49.0%, respectively. Nearly one quarter (23.0%) and one decile (9.2%) of the patients exhibited evidence of ongoing infection (IgM seropositivity) or recent infection (IgA seropositivity) with M. hominis, respectively. Overall, 53.0% of the patients were seropositive for at least one of the screened immunoglobulins. Patients with an education level of secondary schooling or below (66.2%) or those who were unemployed (61.1%) had a higher seroprevalence of IgG antibodies compared with patients with college or higher-level education (48.4%) or those who were employed (48.1%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Exposure to T. pallidum or U. urealyticum was relatively low, whereas that to M. hominis was common in the surveyed patients. Enhanced awareness and screening programmes for genital pathogens are crucial to prevent and control the transmission of infections and reduce the growing burden of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Motea Abdo
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Irfan Aslam
- HealthPlus Fertility Center, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shazia Irfan
- HealthPlus Fertility Center, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Junu A George
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed R Alsuwaidi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Luai A Ahmed
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rami H Al-Rifai
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Tang Y, Yang X, Duan L, Zhan W, Chen K, Chai H, Liu P, Chen M, Zhao H, Liang L, Wei M, Luo M. Genetic and clinical characteristics of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Guangzhou, China. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 101:105285. [PMID: 35447370 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is one of the most common agents of sexually transmitted infections and can cause severe disorders. This study aimed to analyse the genetic and clinical characteristics of genital CT infection among women in Guangzhou, China. METHODS From September 2020 to August 2021, a total of 8955 female patients were enrolled in this study. The presence of genital CT was detected by real-time PCR, and 273 positive samples were randomly selected for further genetic and clinical characteristics analysis. RESULTS The positive rate of genital CT infection was 7.5% (670/8955), with the highest rate in women aged 21-30 years. A total of 8 genotypes were identified: DH, J, K, and recombinant genotype Ba/D. The predominant genotype was J (n = 78, 28.6%), followed by E (n = 63, 23.1%), F (n = 48, 17.6%), and D (n = 38, 13.9%). Abnormal vaginal discharge (n = 165, 61.8%), cervical columnar epithelial ectopy (n = 124, 46.4%), vaginal itching (n = 77, 28.8%), and lower abdominal pain (n = 61, 22.8%) were the predominant symptoms. Additionally, genotype G infection exhibited a significantly higher rate of abnormal vaginal discharge (P = 0.03) and genotype D infection exhibited a higher white blood cell count (P = 0.01) than the other genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a total of 20 variants with 25 mutation positions and the H2 variant in four patients was first discovered in our study. CONCLUSIONS Genotypes J, E, F, and D were the major genotypes of genital CT in Guangzhou, and they manifested as abnormal vaginal discharge, cervical columnar epithelial ectopy, vaginal itching, and lower abdominal pain. The present study provides guidance for future integrated interventions to reduce the burden of genital CT infection and accelerate the development of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tang
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohan Yang
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Duan
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenli Zhan
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyi Chen
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiying Chai
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Liu
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Minchai Chen
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Liang
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengru Wei
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyong Luo
- Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China; Medical Genetic Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China.
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Miranda AE, da Silveira MF, Pinto VM, Alves GC, de Carvalho NS. Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2020: infections that cause cervicitis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e2020587. [PMID: 34008716 PMCID: PMC8210491 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-587-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections that cause cervicitis are a topic presented in the "Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections", published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. The document was developed based on scientific evidence and validated in discussions with experts. This article presents epidemiological and clinical aspects of infections that cause cervicitis and recommendations on screening, diagnosis, and treatment of affected people and their sexual partnerships. Also, it discusses strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of these infections for health professionals and health service managers involved in the programmatic and operational management of sexually transmitted infections. Expanding access to diagnostic tests and early treatment are crucial for controlling the spread of pathogens that cause cervicitis. Associated factors to cervicitis: sexually active women younger than 25 years old, new or multiple sexual partners, partners with STI, previous history or presence of other STI, and irregular use of condoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valdir Monteiro Pinto
- Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de São Paulo, Programa Estadual de DST/Aids, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Miranda AE, Silveira MFD, Pinto VM, Alves GC, Carvalho NSD. [Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: infections that cause cervicitis]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e2020587. [PMID: 33729399 DOI: 10.1590/s1679-4974202100008.esp1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Infections that cause cervicitis are a topic presented in the "Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections", published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020. The document was developed based on scientific evidence and validated in discussions with experts. This article presents epidemiological and clinical aspects of infections that cause cervicitis, as well as recommendations on screening, diagnosis and treatment of affected people and their sexual partnerships. In addition, it discusses strategies for surveillance, prevention and control of these infections for health professionals and health service managers involved in the programmatic and operational management of sexually transmitted infections. Expanding access to diagnostic tests and early treatment are crucial for controlling the spread of pathogens that cause cevicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valdir Monteiro Pinto
- Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de São Paulo, Programa Estadual de DST/Aids, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Rawre J, Juyal D, Dhawan B. Molecular typing of Chlamydia trachomatis: An overview. Indian J Med Microbiol 2017; 35:17-26. [PMID: 28303813 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_16_341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Urogenital infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and is a major public health problem worldwide. Molecular characterisation of CT is important for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of chlamydial disease and its transmission dynamics in sexual networks. Traditionally, strain typing of CT was based on serotyping methods characterising the major outer membrane protein (MOMP). With the advent of polymerase chain reaction and sequencing the era of molecular typing began. Molecular characterization of CT strains is based on sequence analysis of ompA gene encoding MOMP. However, in due course of time, improvements were made to enhance the discriminatory power of sequencing and quality of epidemiological information. New high-resolution genotyping methods using multiple loci such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats (MLVA) were developed but were unable to differentiate mixed infections (MIs). The development of DNA-hybridisation methods emerged as a major breakthrough in detecting MIs. Although MLST and MLVA are more discriminative than other genotyping methods, they are laborious and expensive. DNA microarray technique is an affordable alternative for genotyping. Since recombination is widespread in the CT genome, ompA is not a reliable marker for phylogenetic studies; hence, whole genome sequencing may provide maximum phylogenetic resolution of CT strains. A descriptive review is provided of the various molecular CT typing methods. The vital information gained can be used for formulating screening programmes, targeted prevention and optimising therapeutic measures aiming to reduce disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rawre
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepak Juyal
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Benu Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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