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Euliano EM, Sklavounos AA, Wheeler AR, McHugh KJ. Translating diagnostics and drug delivery technologies to low-resource settings. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabm1732. [PMID: 36223447 PMCID: PMC9716722 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm1732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Diagnostics and drug delivery technologies engineered for low-resource settings aim to meet their technical design specifications using strategies that are compatible with limited equipment, infrastructure, and operator training. Despite many preclinical successes, very few of these devices have been translated to the clinic. Here, we identify factors that contribute to the clinical success of diagnostics and drug delivery systems for low-resource settings, including the need to engage key stakeholders at an early stage, and provide recommendations for the clinical translation of future medical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Euliano
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University; Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Alexandros A. Sklavounos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto; Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto; Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Aaron R. Wheeler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto; Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto; Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto; Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Kevin J. McHugh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University; Houston, Texas 77005, USA
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2
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Dorjey Y, Wangmo D, Tshomo D. Assessment of excessive vaginal discharge among women who presented to Phuentsholing General Hospital: A hospital‐based study. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e793. [PMID: 36090622 PMCID: PMC9436175 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Excessive vaginal discharge is troublesome for females. The majority of the women seek gynecological consultation due to excessive vaginal discharge. The causes vary from physiological to pathological discharge. Unless the cause is identified and treated, women will remain in distress. The present study was thus carried out to determine the most common cause of the excessive vaginal discharge. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted at the Phuentsholing General Hospital, Chukha, Bhutan, from May 1 to October 31, 2021. All females aged 18 years and older, irrespective of marital status, who presented with excessive vaginal discharge were recruited for the study. With due informed consent, a sterile speculum examination was performed and a high vaginal swab was collected and subjected to various tests. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 23 software. Descriptive statistical tests were used for frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviations; the χ2 test was used to determine associations, and a logistic regression test was performed to determine the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. Results A total of 400 women were recruited for the study, of whom 362 (90.5%) women had infective causes for vaginal discharge. Trichomoniasis was the most common infection identified in 162 (40.5%) women, followed by bacterial vaginosis (91, 22.8%) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (52, 13.0%). In 38 (9.5%) women, infective cause was not found and categorized as physiological vaginal discharge. Malodorous, profuse discharge, vulval itching, dyspareunia, dysuria, and lower abdominal pain were significantly associated with infectious vaginal discharge. Conclusions Excessive vaginal discharge was mainly caused by infections. The most commonly detected infection was trichomoniasis, followed by bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Every female with vaginal discharge requires proper evaluations to identify the infection and treat it adequately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeshey Dorjey
- Gynaecology Unit Phuentsholing General Hospital Chukha Bhutan
| | - Dechen Wangmo
- Maternal and Child Health Phuentsholing General Hospital Chukha Bhutan
| | - Dechen Tshomo
- Maternal and Child Health Phuentsholing General Hospital Chukha Bhutan
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Pawley DC, Dikici E, Deo SK, Raccamarich P, Fischl MA, Alcaide M, Daunert S. Rapid Point-of-Care Test Kit for Bacterial Vaginosis: Detection of Vaginolysin and Clue Cells Using Paper Strips and a Smartphone. Anal Chem 2022; 94:11619-11626. [PMID: 35943181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is an unmet need for a point-of-care test that is accurate, affordable, and simple to diagnose bacterial vaginosis, the most common cause of vaginal symptoms among women. Bacterial vaginosis leaves patients with undesirable vaginal discharge, malodor, and discomfort. Currently, the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is inaccurate and complex, leading to high rates of misdiagnosis. Inaccurate diagnoses are unsafe as bacterial vaginosis increases the risks of acquiring sexually transmitted infections as well as the likelihood of miscarriages. To date, the most commonly identified bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis is Gardnerella vaginalis. We developed a method for the expression, purification, and detection of vaginolysin, the most well-characterized virulence factor of G. vaginalis. Elevated levels of G. vaginalis have been shown to lead to a toxic vaginal environment, facilitating bacterial vaginosis. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of vaginolysin, which was translated to a lateral flow assay for use in a rapid, straightforward, cost-effective paper-based diagnostic test for vaginolysin that does not require the use of instrumentation. In conjunction, we have employed a commercially available smartphone microscopy kit to visualize clue cells without the need for equipment or electricity. The combination of these methodologies allows for an accurate and easy approach to diagnose bacterial vaginosis with minimal resources for use in any setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon C Pawley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Emre Dikici
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Sapna K Deo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Patricia Raccamarich
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Margaret A Fischl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Maria Alcaide
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,Dr. JT Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States.,University of Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
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4
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Adhikari I, Eriksson T, Harjula K, Hokkanen M, Apter D, Nieminen P, Luostarinen T, Lehtinen M. Association of Chlamydia trachomatis infection with cervical atypia in adolescent women with short-term or long-term use of oral contraceptives: a longitudinal study in HPV vaccinated women. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056824. [PMID: 35649600 PMCID: PMC9161064 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the relationship between Chlamydia trachomatis infection, duration of oral contraceptive (OC) use and cervical atypia among young adult Finnish women. DESIGN A longitudinal study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Women who were included in this study participated in a community-randomised trial on the effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and C. trachomatis screening at ages 18.5 and 22 years in Finland. They completed questionnaires on both visits about sexual behaviours. The cytology test results at age 18.5 and 22 years were also available for those women. The total number of participants in this study at 18.5 years of age were 11 701 and at 22 years of age were 6618. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE ORs with 95% CIs using univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association between C. trachomatis infection, duration of OC and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). RESULTS There were 940 cytological SIL cases at the first screening visit and 129 cytological SIL cases at the second screening visit. Among the 22 years old, more than fourfold adjusted risk of SIL was associated with C. trachomatis positivity. The HPV16/18, condom use, smoking and number of sexual partners adjusted joint effect of prolonged OC use and C. trachomatis was significantly increased (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 12.8) in the 22-year-old women. This observed joint effect was 1.6 times higher than expected on a multiplicative scale. On additive scale, the observed relative excess risk from interaction was 1.8. CONCLUSION The risk of SIL in HPV vaccinated women is significantly increased if they are C. trachomatis positive and have used OC for 5 or more years. The biological basis may be lack of condom facilitated protection against sexually transmitted diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00534638.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Adhikari
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tiina Eriksson
- Faculty of Medicine, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- FICAN-Mid, Tampere, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Pekka Nieminen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Matti Lehtinen
- FICAN-Mid, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Holali Ameyapoh A, Katawa G, Ritter M, Tchopba CN, Tchadié PE, Arndts K, Kamassa HE, Mazou B, Amessoudji OM, N'djao A, Agoro S, Vogelbusch C, Omondi MA, Kolou M, Karou SD, Horsnell W, Hoerauf A, Ameyapoh Y, Layland LE. Hookworm Infections and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Female Reproductive Tract Infections in Rural Areas of the Central Region of Togo. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:738894. [PMID: 34803955 PMCID: PMC8595254 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.738894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Female reproductive tract infections (FRTIs) have a huge impact on women’s health including their reproductive health in rural areas. Immunomodulation by helminth infections could influence the occurrence of FRTIs. This study aimed to investigate the association between FRTIs, hookworm infections, and sociodemographic factors in six rural areas of the central region of Togo. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographical information, and parasitological assessments were used to diagnose helminth infections. Moreover, cytobacteriological examination of vaginal swabs was performed for the diagnosis of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV), and real-time PCR method was used to determine sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Finally, a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship and association of these factors to FRTIs. The prevalence of FRTIs was 82.3% including STIs (74.38%), BV (31.79%), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (9.85%). In detail, FRTIs were caused by bacteria such as Ureaplasma parvum (50%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (26.5%), and Mycoplasma hominis (17.5%) and viruses such us cytomegalovirus (5%) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (20%). No cases of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were observed. Interestingly, women who had hookworm infections were at high risk of HPV. The use of condoms was a protective factor [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.23; 95% CI [0.11–0.51)], while the use of contraceptive methods was a risk factor [aOR = 2.49; 95% CI (1.19–5.19)] for STIs. The risk of BV was lower among participants who had more than four pregnancies [aOR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.11–0.65)]. Furthermore, women who had ever been paid for sexual intercourse were at high probability risk of vulvovaginal candidiasis [aOR = 16.92; 95% CI (1.46–196.48)]. This study highlighted risk factors associated with FRTIs, the control of which would help to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Health-care professionals could develop education and sensitization strategies based on these risk factors, and anti-hookworm treatment concepts may be taken into consideration to minimize the risk of HPV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjoa Holali Ameyapoh
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Gnatoulma Katawa
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Christèle Nguepou Tchopba
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Pélagie Edlom Tchadié
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Kathrin Arndts
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Hélène E Kamassa
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Bassimtou Mazou
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Oukoe M Amessoudji
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Akawulu N'djao
- Hôpital du District de Tchaoudjo, Direction Préfectorale de la Santé, Sokodé, Togo
| | - Sibabe Agoro
- Direction Régionale de la Santé, Région la Kara, Kara, Togo
| | - Celina Vogelbusch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Millicent A Omondi
- Division of Immunology, Faculty of Health Science, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Malewe Kolou
- Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Simplice D Karou
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - William Horsnell
- Division of Immunology, Faculty of Health Science, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.,German-West African Centre for Global Health and Pandemic Prevention (G-WAC), Partner Site, Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yaovi Ameyapoh
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires, Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Laura E Layland
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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Jacups SP, Potter C, Yarwood T, Doyle-Adams S, Russell D. How accurate is presumptive Chlamydia trachomatis treatment? A 6-month clinical audit of a walk-in sexual health service. Sex Health 2021; 18:413-420. [PMID: 34742364 DOI: 10.1071/sh21078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is highly prevalent and is an important sexually transmitted infection as it can lead to increased risk of HIV seroconversion; and if left untreated, can cause infertility in women. Clinical guidelines recommend treating chlamydia presumptively when presenting symptomatically; however, clinicians are now questioning this due to increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Methods To determine the accuracy of presumptive chlamydia treatment practices at a walk-in sexual health service in regional Australia, we audited all same-day screen and treat presentations prescribed azithromycin over a 6-month period in 2018. Results A total of 325 cases were included in the analysis. Over half (54%) the presentations returned negative pathology for all pathogens investigated. One quarter (25%) of presentations were positive for chlamydia, and (4%) reported a dual infection. A further one fifth (20%) were negative for chlamydia but positive for another pathogen. More symptomatic males than females returned positive pathology for chlamydia (8% vs 4%). Conclusions While presumptive treatment is recommended in the current guidelines, our findings indicate this resulted in over-treatment. Considering the increasing resistance patterns for Mycoplasma genitalium, which include azithromycin, presumptive treatments need to balance immediate client care needs against long-term community antimicrobial resistance outcomes. This internal audit provided a feedback mechanism to the walk-in sexual service, enabling modification of practices to provide more precise, individual clinical care within the bounds of current STI guidelines, while balancing wider the objectives of antimicrobial stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P Jacups
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia; and The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, McGregor Road, Smithfield, Qld 4878, Australia
| | - Caroline Potter
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
| | - Trent Yarwood
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; and Infectious Diseases, Cairns Hospital, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; and School of Clinical Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia; and College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
| | - Simon Doyle-Adams
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
| | - Darren Russell
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia; and College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
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7
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Noguchi LM, Marrazzo JM, Richardson B, Hillier SL, Balkus JE, Palanee-Phillips T, Nair G, Panchia R, Piper J, Gomez K, Ramjee G, Chirenje ZM. Prevalence and Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infection in Injectable Progestin Contraception Users in South Africa. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 3. [PMID: 35669097 PMCID: PMC9165437 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.668685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Whether intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) have a differential impact on the incidence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) remains unclear. In the Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) trial, HIV-1 acquisition was higher for DMPA-IM users vs. NET-EN users. We compared DMPA-IM and NET-EN users with regard to chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection.Materials and Methods: Prospective data were analyzed from VOICE, a randomized trial of HIV-1 chemoprophylaxis. Participants were evaluated annually and as indicated for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis. Stored specimens were tested for HSV-2. Proportional hazards models compared the risk of STI between DMPA-IM and NET-EN users.Results: Among 2,911 injectable contraception users in South Africa, 1,800 (61.8%) used DMPA-IM and 1,111 used NET-EN (38.2%). DMPA-IM and NET-EN users did not differ in baseline chlamydia: 15.1 vs. 14.3%, p = 0.54; gonorrhea: 3.4 vs. 3.7%, p = 0.70; trichomoniasis: 5.7 vs.5.0%, p = 0.40; or syphilis: 1.5 vs. 0.7%, p = 0.08; but differed for baseline HSV-2: (51.3 vs. 38.6%, p < 0.001). Four hundred forty-eight incident chlamydia, 103 gonorrhea, 150 trichomonas, 17 syphilis, and 48 HSV-2 infections were detected over 2,742, 2,742, 2,783, 2,945, and 756 person-years (py), respectively (chlamydia 16.3/100 py; gonorrhea 3.8/100 py; trichomoniasis 5.4/100 py; syphilis 0.6/100 py; HSV-2 6.4/100 py). Comparing DMPA-IM with NET-EN users, no difference was noted in the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, or HSV-2 infections, including when adjusted for confounders [chlamydia (aHR 1.03, 95% CI 0.85–1.25), gonorrhea (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.60–1.31), trichomoniasis (aHR 1.07, 95% CI 0.74–1.54), syphilis (aHR 0.41, 95% CI 0.15–1.10), and HSV-2 (aHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.45–1.54, p = 0.56)].Discussion: Among South African participants enrolled in VOICE, DMPA-IM and NET-EN users differed in prevalence of HSV-2 at baseline but did not differ in the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, or HSV-2 infection. Differential HIV-1 acquisition, previously demonstrated in this cohort, does not appear to be explained by differential STI acquisition. However, the high incidence of multiple STIs reinforces the need to accelerate access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Noguchi
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Lisa M. Noguchi
| | - Jeanne M. Marrazzo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Barbara Richardson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sharon L. Hillier
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh and the Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer E. Balkus
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Thesla Palanee-Phillips
- Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Jeanna Piper
- Division of AIDS, NIAID, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Gita Ramjee
- South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Z. Mike Chirenje
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Whitney BM, Srinivasan S, Tapia K, Muriuki EM, Chohan BH, Wallis JM, Liu C, Guthrie BL, McClelland RS, Hoffman NG, Fredricks DN, Roxby AC. Influence of Intramuscular Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Initiation on Vaginal Microbiota in the Postpartum Period. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:e1093-e1102. [PMID: 33354707 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vaginal microbiome plays a key role in women's reproductive health. Use of exogenous hormones, such as intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), may alter the composition of vaginal bacterial community. METHODS Vaginal swab samples were collected from postpartum Kenyan women initiating DMPA-IM or nonhormonal contraception (non-HC). Bacterial vaginosis was assessed by Nugent score (Nugent-BV) and bacterial community composition was evaluated using broad-range 16S ribosomal RNA gene polymerase chain reaction with high-throughput sequencing. Changes in Nugent score, alpha diversity (Shannon diversity index), and total bacterial load between contraceptive groups from enrollment to 3 months after initiation were estimated using multivariable linear mixed effects regression. RESULTS Among 54 human immunodeficiency virus-negative women, 33 choosing DMPA-IM and 21 choosing non-HC, Nugent-BV was more common among DMPA-IM users at enrollment. At follow-up, Nugent score had decreased significantly among DMPA-IM users (change, -1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.53 to -.25; P = .02) while alpha diversity remained stable (0.03; -.24 to .30; P = .83). Conversely, Nugent score remained relatively stable among non-HC users (change, -0.73; 95% CI, -2.18 to .73; P = .33) while alpha diversity decreased (-0.34; -.67 to -.001; P = .05). The total bacterial load decreased slightly in DMPA-IM users and increased slightly among non-HC users, resulting in a significant difference in change between the contraceptive groups (difference, -0.64 log10 gene copies per swab sample; 95% CI, -1.19 to -.08; P = .02). While significant changes in Nugent score and alpha diversity were observed within contraceptive groups, changes between groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Postpartum vaginal bacterial diversity did not change in DMPA-IM users despite a reduction in Nugent-BV, but it decreased significantly among women using non-HC. Choice of contraception may influence Lactobacillus recovery in postpartum women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M Whitney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sujatha Srinivasan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kenneth Tapia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric Munene Muriuki
- Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (UNITID), University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna H Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, and Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacqueline M Wallis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Congzhou Liu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brandon L Guthrie
- Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - R Scott McClelland
- Department of Medicine, Global Health, and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Noah G Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David N Fredricks
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alison C Roxby
- Department of Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Lagenaur LA, Hemmerling A, Chiu C, Miller S, Lee PP, Cohen CR, Parks TP. Connecting the Dots: Translating the Vaginal Microbiome Into a Drug. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:S296-S306. [PMID: 33330916 PMCID: PMC8502429 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota (VMB) has been associated with health and considered an important host defense mechanism against urogenital infections. Conversely, depletion of lactobacilli and increased microbial diversity, amplifies the risk of adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes. A common clinical condition that exemplifies dysbiosis is bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is currently treated with antibiotics, but frequently recurs, due in part to persistent dysbiosis and failure of lactobacilli to repopulate the vagina. New treatment options are needed to address BV. The VMB is relatively simple and optimally dominated by one or several species of Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus crispatus is strongly associated with vaginal health and depleted in dysbiosis. Replenishing the dysbiotic VMB with protective L. crispatus CTV-05 is a promising approach to prevent recurrent infections and improve women's health. Here we discuss confirmation of this approach with the microbiome-based biologic drug, LACTIN-V (L. crispatus CTV-05), focusing on prevention of BV recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anke Hemmerling
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Charles Chiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Steve Miller
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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10
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Noël-Romas L, Perner M, Molatlhegi R, Farr Zuend C, Mabhula A, Hoger S, Lamont A, Birse K, Berard A, McCorrister S, Westmacott G, Leslie A, Poliquin V, Heffron R, McKinnon LR, Burgener AD. Vaginal microbiome-hormonal contraceptive interactions associate with the mucosal proteome and HIV acquisition. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1009097. [PMID: 33362285 PMCID: PMC7790405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations to the mucosal environment of the female genital tract, such as genital inflammation, have been associated with increased HIV acquisition in women. As the microbiome and hormonal contraceptives can affect vaginal mucosal immunity, we hypothesized these components may interact in the context of HIV susceptibility. Using previously published microbiome data from 685 women in the CAPRISA-004 trial, we compared relative risk of HIV acquisition in this cohort who were using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), and combined oral contraceptives (COC). In women who were Lactobacillus-dominant, HIV acquisition was 3-fold higher in women using DMPA relative to women using NET-EN or COC (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.24–11.24, P = 0.0305). This was not observed in non-Lactobacillus-dominant women (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.44–2.15, P = 0.895) (interaction P = 0.0686). Higher serum MPA levels associated with increased molecular pathways of inflammation in the vaginal mucosal fluid of Lactobacillus-dominant women, but no differences were seen in non-Lactobacillus dominant women. This study provides data suggesting an interaction between the microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV susceptibility. Alterations to the mucosal environment of the female genital tract have been associated with increased HIV acquisition in women. As both the vaginal microbiome and hormonal contraceptives affect mucosal immunity, we investigated their interaction with HIV susceptibility. We characterized the vaginal microbiomes in 685 women from the CAPRISA-004 trial, who utilized three major types of hormonal contraceptives including injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), and combined oral contraceptives (COC). In the 40% of women with Lactobacillus-depleted microbiomes, HIV acquisition was not different between contraceptive groups. However, in the 60% of women with Lactobacillus as the dominant bacterial taxa, HIV acquisition risk was 3-fold higher (in women using DMPA relative to women using NET-EN and COC). Higher serum medroxyprogesterone acetate levels in Lactobacillus dominant women associated with increased cervicovaginal inflammation pathways in the mucosal proteome, biomarkers of which associated with HIV susceptibility. This study provides data suggesting an interaction between the microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Noël-Romas
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Michelle Perner
- Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | | | - Christina Farr Zuend
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Sarah Hoger
- Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Alana Lamont
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Kenzie Birse
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Alicia Berard
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Stuart McCorrister
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core Facility, National Microbiology Lab, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Garett Westmacott
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core Facility, National Microbiology Lab, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Al Leslie
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Poliquin
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Renee Heffron
- Department of Global Health and Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | - Adam D. Burgener
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, United States of America
- Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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11
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Dabee S, Mkhize NN, Jaspan HB, Lewis D, Gumbi PP, Passmore JAS. Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Differentially Influences Genital and Systemic Immune Activation in HIV-Infected Women. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:821-830. [PMID: 32524856 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2019.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals: reducing plasma viremia, restoring CD4+ T cell numbers, and correcting imbalances in blood memory T cell subsets. While ART improves immune correlates at mucosal sites, including the lower female genital tract (FGT), ART initiation has been associated with reactivation of common FGT infections. We investigated the effect of ART on immune activation and inflammation in the genital tract. We measured blood and genital T cell activation, proliferation, and immunosenescence (CD38, HLADR, Ki67, CD127, and CD57), and cytokine levels in women on ART for ∼7 years (cross-sectional analysis) or initiating ART (immediately before and 1 month after). Effector memory T cells predominated in blood and FGT during chronic infection, irrespective of ART status. In women initiating ART, 1 month was insufficient for T cell reconstitution, or alterations in T cell subset distribution, despite both plasma and genital viral loads decreasing to undetectable levels in most participants. Initiating ART was accompanied by a decline in plasma IP-10 that correlated with decreased blood CD38 expression in blood (p = .0204) but not in the FGT. The reduction in plasma (but not genital) cytokine levels due to ART initiation was dependent on their concentrations before treatment. While T cell activation decreased significantly in blood (CD4: p = .032; CD8: p = .0137), activation levels remained similar in the genital tract despite 1 month of treatment. Overall, the decrease in cellular activation and inflammation seen in blood with ART initiation was not evident in the FGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smritee Dabee
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Seattle Childrens Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David Lewis
- Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Parramatta, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School and Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology & Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Pamela P. Gumbi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Jo-Ann S. Passmore
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- NRF-DST Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
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12
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Liquid-based cervical cytology and microbiological analyses in women using cooper intrauterine device and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 255:20-24. [PMID: 33065517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of the copper IUD and LNG-IUS on liquid-based cytology results (cellular atypia, reactive alterations, and microbiology). STUDY DESIGN This cross-sectional study was performed between January 2012 and December 2017 in the Northeast of Brazil. Three study groups, the LNG-IUS group (n = 1179), copper IUD group (n = 519), and a control group of women not using contraception (n = 14,616) were compared. To facilitate this analysis, the LNG-IUS and IUD groups were further divided into less and more than two years of use. RESULTS The mean age of the LNG-IUS and IUD groups was around 36 years and the control group was about 35 years (p = ns). The meantime between dispositive placement and examination was 19 ± 16 months for the LNG-IUS and 17 ± 15 months for the IUD. The frequency of epithelial atypia revealed upon cytological analysis did not differ between the groups. However, inflammatory infiltrates were significantly more frequent in the LNG-IUS and IUD (OR IUD = 1.32; OR LNG-IUS = 1.79) groups relative to control. Candida and cytolysis were more frequent in the LNG-IUS group (OR = 4.73 and 2.41, respectively) compared to both other groups. Bacterial vaginosis andActinomyces sp occurred more frequently in the IUD group (OR = 1.39 and 3352.55, respectively) compared to both other groups. Bacterial vaginosis was more common when using an IUD for more than two years than for less than two years (OR = 2.55). The Actinomyces morphotype was also observed at greater frequency after two years of IUD use than before (OR = 5.35). CONCLUSIONS The LNG-IUS and copper IUD do not affect the incidence of cellular atypia but do interfere with the microbiota over time. Specifically, the copper IUD is associated with bacterial vaginosis andActinomyces sp infection while the LNG-IUS is associated with candidiasis and cytolysis.
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Hormonal Contraceptives and the Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections: An Updated Systematic Review. Sex Transm Dis 2020; 46:290-296. [PMID: 30628946 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that some forms of hormonal contraception (HC) increase women's risk of non-human immunodeficiency virus sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet evidence has not been reviewed since 2008. We conducted an updated systematic review to incorporate studies published between January 2009 and June 2017 to examine the relationship between HCs and incident or recurrent STIs. METHODS We searched PubMed and EMBASE to identify prospective studies comparing risk of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Treponema pallidum, or Trichomonas vaginalis, between women using HC versus nonhormonal methods or no methods. We summarize results by type of STI and HC and study quality using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. RESULTS Thirty articles met the inclusion criteria. Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) reduces the risk of trichomoniasis (consistent evidence) and may increase the risk of HSV-2 (strong effect, few studies); inconclusive evidence exists for HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Data on oral contraceptive pills (OCPs; generally not differentiated whether combined or progestin-only pills) suggest that use is associated with a reduced risk of trichomoniasis with inconclusive findings for HSV-2, HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Very few studies included norethisterone enanthate (Net-En) injectable, implants or the levonorgestrel intrauterine device. CONCLUSIONS Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate and OCPs reduce the risk of trichomoniasis and DMPA may increase the risk of HSV-2. However, the potential for confounding cannot be ruled out. Future studies should specify the type of injectable or OCP used to increase understanding of biological pathways; more research is needed on implants and hormonal intrauterine devices.
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14
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Hormonal Contraception and Vaginal Infections Among Couples Who Are Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serodiscordant in Lusaka, Zambia. Obstet Gynecol 2020; 134:573-580. [PMID: 31403592 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000003404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between hormonal contraception and vaginal infections with bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, or trichomoniasis. METHODS Couples who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serodiscordant in Zambia were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study. From 1994 to 2002, both partners were seen quarterly and received physical exams including genital examinations. Separate rates for three outcome infections of interest (bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis) were calculated. Bivariate associations between baseline and time-varying covariates and outcome infections of interest were evaluated using unadjusted Anderson-Gill survival models. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were generated using multivariable Anderson-Gill survival models that included demographic and clinical factors associated with both hormonal contraceptive use and each infection of interest. RESULTS There were 1,558 cases of bacterial vaginosis, 1,529 cases of vaginal candidiasis, and 574 cases of trichomoniasis over 2,143 person-years of observation. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users had significantly lower rates of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. In adjusted models, DMPA was protective for bacterial vaginosis (aHR=0.72; 95% CI 0.54-0.95), candidiasis (aHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-1.00) and trichomoniasis (aHR=0.43, 95% CI 0.25-0.74). Oral contraceptive pills were protective for candidiasis (aHR=0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97). CONCLUSION We confirm that DMPA use was associated with reduced rates of the three most common causes of vaginitis, and oral contraceptive pill use was associated with reduced rates of candidiasis among women in couples who were HIV discordant.
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15
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Mishra A, Buzkova P, Balkus JE, Brown ER. Accounting for Informative Sampling in Estimation of Associations between Sexually Transmitted Infections and Hormonal Contraceptive Methods. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 12. [PMID: 34141052 DOI: 10.1515/scid-2019-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between hormonal contraceptive method use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not well understood. Studies that implement routine screening for STIs among different contraceptive users, such as the ASPIRE HIV-1 prevention trial, can be useful for identifying potential risk factors of STIs. However, the complex nature of non-random data can lead to challenges in estimation of associations for potential risk factors. In particular, if screening for the disease is not random (i.e. it is driven by symptoms or other clinical indicators), estimates of association can suffer from bias, often referred to as informative sampling bias. Time-varying predictors and potential stratification variables can further contribute to difficulty in obtaining unbiased estimates. In this paper, we estimate the association between time-varying contraceptive use and STI acquisition, in the presence of informative sampling, by extending the work Buzkova (2010). We use a two-step procedure to jointly model the non-random screening process and sexually transmitted infection risk. In the first step, inverse intensity rate ratios (IIRR) weights are estimated. In the second step, a weighted proportional rate model is fit to estimate the IIRR weighted hazard ratio. We apply the method to evaluate the relationship between hormonal contraception and risk of sexually transmitted infections among women participating in a biomedical HIV-1 prevention trial. We compare our results using the proposed weighted method to those generated using conventional approaches that do not account for potential informative sampling bias or do not use the full potential of the data. Using the IIRR weighted approach we found DMPA users have a significantly decreased hazard of T. vaginalis acquisition compared to IUD users (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: (0.25, 0.83)), which is consistent with the literature. We did not find significant increased or decreased hazard of other STIs for hormonal contraceptive users compared to non-hormonal IUD users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Mishra
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington
| | - Petra Buzkova
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington
| | - Jennifer E Balkus
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington
| | - Elizabeth R Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
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Berry A, Hall JV. The complexity of interactions between female sex hormones and Chlamydia trachomatis infections. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 6:67-75. [PMID: 31890462 PMCID: PMC6936955 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-019-00116-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses specifically on the mechanisms by which female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, affect Chlamydia trachomatis infections in vivo and in vitro. RECENT FINDINGS Recent data support previous work indicating that estrogen enhances chlamydial development via multiple mechanisms. Progesterone negatively impacts Chlamydia infections also through multiple mechanisms, particularly by altering the immune response. Conflicting data exist regarding the effect of synthetic hormones, such as those found in hormonal contraceptives, on chlamydial infections. SUMMARY Numerous studies over the years have indicated that female sex hormones affect C. trachomatis infection. However, we still do not have a clear understanding of how these hormones alter Chlamydia disease transmission and progression. The studies reviewed here indicate that there are many variables that determine the outcome of Chlamydia/hormone interactions, including: 1) the specific hormone, 2) hormone concentration, 3) cell type or area of the genital tract, 4) hormone responsiveness of cell lines, and 5) animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Berry
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
- Center for Infectious Disease, Inflammation and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
| | - Jennifer V. Hall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
- Center for Infectious Disease, Inflammation and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES A recent study of HIV serodiscordant couples found that depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were associated with increased HIV risk in the presence, but not in the absence, of bacterial vaginosis. We assessed whether bacterial vaginosis is an effect modifier of the association between hormonal contraception and HIV seroconversion in female sex workers (FSWs) in Mombasa, Kenya. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Data collected from HIV-negative FSWs from 1993 to 2017 were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relationship between HIV seroconversion and use of DMPA, OCPs, or hormonal contraceptive implants (Norplant, Jadelle). RESULTS A total of 1985 women contributed 7127 person-years of follow-up; 307 women seroconverted to HIV (4.32/100 person-years). DMPA was significantly associated with elevated risk of HIV seroconversion in women with [aHR 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.25; P = 0.02] and without (aHR 2.08, 95% CI 1.46-2.97; P < 0.001) bacterial vaginosis (interaction P = 0.4). Similarly, OCP use was associated with increased HIV risk both in the presence (aHR 1.50, 95% CI 0.94-2.39; P = 0.09) and absence (aHR 1.61, 95% CI 0.99-2.64; P = 0.06) of bacterial vaginosis (interaction P = 0.9), though neither stratum reached statistical significance. Implants were not associated with HIV seroconversion overall (aHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.40-2.45; P = 0.9), or in women with (aHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.16-2.72; P = 0.6) and without (aHR 1.39, 95% CI 0.43-4.46; P = 0.6) bacterial vaginosis (interaction P = 0.5). CONCLUSION Bacterial vaginosis had no effect on the associations between hormonal contraceptives and HIV seroconversion in this cohort. Contraceptive implants were not associated with increased HIV risk compared with no contraception.
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Abstract
Most new HIV infections, over 80%, occur through sexual transmission. During sexual transmission, the virus must bypass specific female and male reproductive tract anatomical barriers to encounter viable target cells. Understanding the generally efficient ability of these barrier to exclude HIV and the precise mechanisms of HIV translocation beyond these genital barriers is essential for vaccine and novel therapeutic development. In this review, we explore the mucosal, barriers of cervico-vaginal and penile tissues that comprise the female and male reproductive tracts. The unique cellular assemblies f the squamous and columnar epithelium are illustrate highlighting their structure and function. Each anatomical tissue offers a unique barrier to virus entry in healthy individuals. Unfortunately barrier dysfunction can lead to HIV transmission. How these diverse mucosal barriers have the potential to fail is considered, highlighting those anatomical areas that are postulated to offer a weaker barrier and are; therefore, more susceptible to viral ingress. Risk factors, such as sexually transmitted infections, microbiome dysbiosis, and high progestin environments are also associated with increased acquisition of HIV. How these states may affect the integrity of mucosal barriers leading to HIV acquisition are discussed suggesting mechanisms of transmission and revealing potential targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Carias
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Lurie 9-290, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thomas J Hope
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Lurie 9-290, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Xu S, Yu C, Zhou Y, Wu J, Bai T, Zhang J, Li Y. The Prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections in a Chinese Internal Migrant Population, and Its Correlation with Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16040655. [PMID: 30813340 PMCID: PMC6406905 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among an internal-migrant population of reproductive age in China. We also analyzed the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to these infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study using the quota-sampling method was conducted in three cities from March 2016 to February 2017. A total of 3320 participants (40.7% men and 59.3% women) were enrolled in the study, of whom, 1124, 1015, and 1181 were from Yinchuan, Urumchi, and Shanghai, respectively. Data on the included subjects were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: We found that 3.2% and 22.6% of all subjects lacked knowledge regarding the identification and prevention of RTIs, respectively. More than 80% of the participants approved of developing RTI surveillance and taking RTI-related courses. While 45.1% of the respondents changed their underwear every 2⁻3 days, 49.0% cleaned their genitals daily, and 34.9% reported taking a bath daily. Among contraceptive users, 47.4% and 29.7% used condoms and IUDs (intrauterine devices), respectively. Overall, 48.2% of the participants had laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections, and 19.7% of the female participants had endogenous infections. After controlling the socio-demographic variables, participants who cleaned their genitals and took a bath less frequently, as well as used condoms or pills had a lower prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, while those who were unwilling to take RTI-related courses and changed their underwear less frequently were more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections. While women who were unwilling to take RTI-related courses had a lower prevalence of endogenous infections, those with more children had a higher prevalence. Conclusion: The status of RTIs among the internal-migrant population of reproductive-age is not optimistic and is related to multiple factors. We believe this study will contribute to improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to RTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangfei Xu
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China.
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China.
| | - Chuanning Yu
- Longhua District Center for Chronic Disease Control (Mental Health Center), Shenzhen 518110, China.
| | - Ying Zhou
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China.
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Junqing Wu
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China.
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Tieling Bai
- Family Planning and Reproductive Health Instructing Center of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan 750000, China.
| | - Junxian Zhang
- Family Planning Publicity and Education Technical Advising Center of Urumchi, Urumchi 830092, China.
| | - Yuyan Li
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China.
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Kiweewa FM, Brown E, Mishra A, Nair G, Palanee‐Phillips T, Mgodi N, Nakabiito C, Chakhtoura N, Hillier SL, Baeten JM. Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Women Using a Variety of Contraceptive Options: A prospective Study among High-risk African Women. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25257. [PMID: 30816632 PMCID: PMC6393855 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In many African settings, women concurrently face substantial risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Few studies have evaluated STI risk among users of hormonal implants and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) although these long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are being promoted widely because of their benefits. Within a prospective study of women at risk for HIV-1, we compared the risk of acquisition of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis among women using different contraceptive methods. METHODS MTN-020/ASPIRE was a randomized trial of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention among 2629 women aged 18 to 45 years from Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, of whom 2264 used copper IUDs or progestin-based injectables or implants during follow-up. Screening for the above STIs occurred semi-annually. RESULTS Over 3440 person-years of follow-up, 408 cases of C. trachomatis (incidence 11.86/100 person-years), 196 of N. gonorrhoeae (5.70/100 person-years) and 213 cases of T. vaginalis (6.19/100 person-years) were detected. C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae incidence were not significantly different across contraceptive methods. T. vaginalis incidence was significantly higher for copper IUD users compared to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), implant and norethisterone enanthate users. CONCLUSION Among African women at high HIV-1 risk, STIs were common. Risk of cervical infections did not differ across contraceptive methods. Significantly higher rates of T. vaginalis were observed among progestin-based methods compared to copper IUD users. Overall, these findings call for more intensive routine screening for STIs, and they support current World Health Organization guidance that women should have a wide range of contraceptive options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Matovu Kiweewa
- Makerere University ‐ Johns Hopkins University Research CollaborationKampalaUganda
- Makerere University School of Public HealthKampalaUganda
| | - Elizabeth Brown
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleWAUSA
- University of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | | | - Thesla Palanee‐Phillips
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV InstituteUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgRepublic of South Africa
| | - Nyaradzo Mgodi
- University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research CentreHarareZimbabwe
| | - Clemensia Nakabiito
- Makerere University ‐ Johns Hopkins University Research CollaborationKampalaUganda
| | - Nahida Chakhtoura
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institute of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
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Morrison CS, Fichorova R, Chen PL, Kwok C, Deese J, Yamamoto H, Anderson S, Chipato T, Salata R, Doncel GF. A Longitudinal Assessment of Cervical Inflammation and Immunity Associated with HIV-1 Infection, Hormonal Contraception, and Pregnancy. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2018; 34:889-899. [PMID: 30047279 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2018.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormonal contraception (HC), particularly injectable depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), has been associated with increased HIV acquisition and higher levels of cervical regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES), also associated with HIV seroconversion. Longitudinal changes in cervical immunity associated with DMPA and combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been studied. Cervical samples from 216 HIV seroconverters in Uganda and Zimbabwe with matched samples from 727 HIV-uninfected controls were collected at two quarterly visits before (t - 2, t - 1), at (t0), and two visits following (t + 1, t + 2) HIV seroconversion and corresponding visits for HIV-negative controls. We measured 10 biomarkers of inflammation and immunity and used generalized linear models to estimate and compare biomarker levels across HIV status, contraceptive, and pregnancy groups. Biomarkers remained relatively stable across visits for controls, while in HIV-infected women cervical immunity started to change before seroconversion with RANTES and BD-2 increased and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) decreased at t - 1 and continued to change at t0 with ICAM-1 up and IL-8 down and with more biomarkers after seroconversion (IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-3α, VEGF, and IL-1RA down and IL-1RA:IL-1β ratio up). In multivariable analyses, seroconverters had higher BD-2 at t - 1, higher RANTES and lower SLPI from t - 1 through t + 2, and lower IL-8 and IL-1RA at and/or after seroconversion compared to nonseroconverters. Compared to non-HC users, DMPA users had higher RANTES at all visits and lower BD-2 at t - 2 through t0, while COC users and pregnant women had higher IL-8 and SLPI at all visits; COC users also had lower BD-2 preseroconversion; pregnant women had lower RANTES at t0 - t + 2. Longitudinal patterns of cervical immunity differ between HIV seroconverters and HIV-negative women; seroconverters demonstrate increased RANTES and decreased SLPI starting before and continuing postseroconversion. Furthermore, these patterns are differentially regulated by DMPA, COC, and pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raina Fichorova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pai-Lien Chen
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia Kwok
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer Deese
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hidemi Yamamoto
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sharon Anderson
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Tsungai Chipato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Robert Salata
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Gustavo F. Doncel
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
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22
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Pyra M, Lingappa JR, Heffron R, Erikson DW, Blue SW, Patel RC, Nanda K, Rees H, Mugo NR, Davis NL, Kourtis AP, Baeten JM. Concordance of self-reported hormonal contraceptive use and presence of exogenous hormones in serum among African women. Contraception 2018; 97:357-362. [PMID: 29408422 PMCID: PMC5840024 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies that rely on self-report to investigate the relationship between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV acquisition and transmission, as well as other health outcomes, could have compromised results due to misreporting. We determined the frequency of misreported hormonal contraceptive use among African women with and at risk for HIV. STUDY DESIGN We tested 1102 archived serum samples from 664 African women who had participated in prospective HIV prevention studies. Using a novel high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay, we quantified exogenous hormones for injectables (medroxyprogesterone acetate or norethisterone), oral contraceptives (OC) (levonorgestrel or ethinyl estradiol) and implants (levonorgestrel or etonogestrel) and compared them to self-reported use. RESULTS Among women reporting hormonal contraceptive use, 258/358 (72%) of samples were fully concordant with self-report, as were 642/744 (86%) of samples from women reporting no hormonal contraceptive use. However, 42/253 (17%) of samples from women reporting injectable use, 41/66 (62%) of samples from self-reported OC users and 3/39 (8%) of samples from self-reported implant users had no quantifiable hormones. Among self-reported nonusers, 102/744 (14%) had ≥1 hormone present. Concordance between self-reported method and exogenous hormones did not differ by HIV status. CONCLUSION Among African women with and at risk for HIV, testing of exogenous hormones revealed agreement with self-reported contraceptive use for most women. However, unexpected exogenous hormones were identified among self-reported hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers, and an important fraction of women reporting hormonal contraceptive use had no hormones detected; absence of oral contraceptive hormones could be due, at least in part, to samples taken during the hormone-free interval. Misreporting of hormonal contraceptive use could lead to biased results in observational studies of the relationship between contraceptive use and health outcomes. IMPLICATIONS Research studies investigating associations between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV should consider validating self-reported use by objective measures; because both overreporting and underreporting of use occur, potential misclassification based on self-report could lead to biased results in directions that cannot be easily predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pyra
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jairam R Lingappa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Renee Heffron
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David W Erikson
- Endocrine Technologies Support Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR
| | - Steven W Blue
- Endocrine Technologies Support Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR
| | - Rena C Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kavita Nanda
- FHI 360, Integrated Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Helen Rees
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (WRHI), University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nelly R Mugo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Nairobi; Sexual, Reproductive, Adolescent and Child Health Research Program, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nicole L Davis
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Athena P Kourtis
- Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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23
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Han L, Taub R, Jensen JT. Cervical mucus and contraception: what we know and what we don't. Contraception 2017; 96:310-321. [DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2017.07.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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24
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Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Objective: To develop and validate an HIV risk assessment tool to predict HIV acquisition among African women. Design: Data were analyzed from 3 randomized trials of biomedical HIV prevention interventions among African women (VOICE, HPTN 035, and FEM-PrEP). Methods: We implemented standard methods for the development of clinical prediction rules to generate a risk-scoring tool to predict HIV acquisition over the course of 1 year. Performance of the score was assessed through internal and external validations. Results: The final risk score resulting from multivariable modeling included age, married/living with a partner, partner provides financial or material support, partner has other partners, alcohol use, detection of a curable sexually transmitted infection, and herpes simplex virus 2 serostatus. Point values for each factor ranged from 0 to 2, with a maximum possible total score of 11. Scores ≥5 were associated with HIV incidence >5 per 100 person-years and identified 91% of incident HIV infections from among only 64% of women. The area under the curve (AUC) for predictive ability of the score was 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68 to 0.74), indicating good predictive ability. Risk score performance was generally similar with internal cross-validation (AUC = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.73) and external validation in HPTN 035 (AUC = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.75) and FEM-PrEP (AUC = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.65). Conclusions: A discrete set of characteristics that can be easily assessed in clinical and research settings was predictive of HIV acquisition over 1 year. The use of a validated risk score could improve efficiency of recruitment into HIV prevention research and inform scale-up of HIV prevention strategies in women at highest risk.
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25
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Zika virus preferentially replicates in the female reproductive tract after vaginal inoculation of rhesus macaques. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006537. [PMID: 28746373 PMCID: PMC5546709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus that can cause severe defects in an infected fetus. ZIKV is also transmitted by sexual contact, although the relative importance of sexual transmission is unclear. To better understand the role of sexual transmission in ZIKV pathogenesis, a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of vaginal transmission was developed. ZIKV was readily transmitted to mature cycling female rhesus macaque (RM) by vaginal inoculation with 104–106 plaque-forming units (PFU). However, there was variability in susceptibility between the individual RM with 1–>8 vaginal inoculations required to establish infection. After treatment with Depoprovera, a widely used contraceptive progestin, two RM that initially resisted 8 vaginal ZIKV inoculations became infected after one ZIKV inoculation. Thus, Depoprovera seemed to enhance susceptibility to vaginal ZIKV transmission. Unexpectedly, the kinetics of virus replication and dissemination after intravaginal ZIKV inoculation were markedly different from RM infected with ZIKV by subcutaneous (SQ) virus inoculation. Several groups have reported that after SQ ZIKV inoculation vRNA is rapidly detected in blood plasma with vRNA less common in urine and saliva and only rarely detected in female reproductive tract (FRT) secretions. In contrast, in vaginally inoculated RM, plasma vRNA is delayed for several days and ZIKV replication in, and vRNA shedding from, the FRT was found in all 6 animals. Further, after intravaginal transmission ZIKV RNA shedding from FRT secretions was detected before or simultaneously with plasma vRNA, and persisted for at least as long. Thus, ZIKV replication in the FRT was independent of, and often preceded virus replication in the tissues contributing to plasma vRNA. These results support the conclusion that ZIKV preferentially replicates in the FRT after vaginal transmission, but not after SQ transmission, and raise the possibility that there is enhanced fetal infection and pathology after vaginal ZIKV transmission compared to a mosquito transmitted ZIKV. Zika virus was introduced to Brazil in 2015 and it rapidly spread to all of tropical America. Although Zika virus infection is usually mild in adults, it can cause severe birth defects in the developing fetus that makes it critical to prevent ZIKV infection in women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant. Although Zika virus is transmitted primarily by mosquito bite, it can also be transmitted by sex. To understand the role of sexual transmission in Zika virus disease, we inoculated rhesus monkeys intravaginally with the virus and monitored virus in blood and reproductive tract secretions. ZIKV was detected in the female reproductive tract before it was detected in plasma and replication levels in the female reproductive tract did not reflect ZIKV levels in other parts of the body. Thus ZIKV prefers the reproductive tract after vaginal transmission suggesting that fetal disease could be more common or severe after vaginal ZIKV transmission compared to a mosquito transmitted ZIKV infection.
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26
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Garg K, Khare A, Bansal R, Sharma S, Chaudhary N. Effects of Different Contraceptive Methods on Cervico-Vaginal Cytology. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11:EC09-EC11. [PMID: 28892902 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2017/28213.10219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The vaginal flora of healthy adult women of reproductive age group constitutes predominantly Lactobacilli which inhibits the growth of other microorganisms (by maintaining acidic pH). The vaginal microflora is altered in favour of anaerobes in women using Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD). Also, it can cause morphologic changes in both squamous and endocervical columnar cells. Similarly, the prevalence of vaginal lactobacilli is reduced among women using diaphragm-spermicide or spermicide alone. AIM To study the effects of different contraceptive methods on cervical cytology and vaginal flora. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two years prospective study included 120 women of reproductive age group using barrier, tubal ligation, IUCDs, Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) and injectable methods of contraception and a control group including 60 women not using any contraceptive. Cervical and vaginal smears were obtained. Cervical smears were reported using the Bethesda system and Gram stained vaginal smears were scored using Nugent scoring. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software for Windows Version 19.0 and test of significance applied was Chi-square test. RESULTS The most common contraception used was barrier (68.3%) followed by tubal ligation (14.2%), IUCD (9.2%), OCPs (6.6%) and injectable (1.7%). The presenting complaints were pain lower abdomen (46.7%) followed by menstrual complaints (22.5%). Epithelium showed reactive changes (45%) followed by metaplasia (25%), koilocytotic change (5%), cytolytic effect (5%) and satellitosis (4.2%). Women showed normal flora in 51.7%, altered in 30% and bacterial vaginosis in 18.3%. CONCLUSION Cervico-vaginal changes were more frequent in contraceptive users as compared to the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Garg
- Junior Resident, Department of Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anjali Khare
- Professor, Department of Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rani Bansal
- Professor and HOD, Department of Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sangeeta Sharma
- Professor, Department of Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Neha Chaudhary
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
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27
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Bochner AF, Baeten JM, Rustagi AS, Nakku-Joloba E, Lingappa JR, Mugo NR, Bukusi EA, Kapiga S, Delany-Moretlwe S, Celum C, Barnabas RV. A cross-sectional analysis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant African couples. Sex Transm Infect 2017; 93:520-529. [PMID: 28377421 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-053034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Trichomonas vaginalis is the most prevalent curable STI worldwide and has been associated with adverse health outcomes and increased HIV-1 transmission risk. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among couples to assess how characteristics of both individuals in sexual partnerships are associated with the prevalence of male and female T. vaginalis infection. METHODS African HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples were concurrently tested for trichomoniasis at enrolment into two clinical trials. T. vaginalis testing was by nucleic acid amplification or culture methods. Using Poisson regression with robust standard errors, we identified characteristics associated with trichomoniasis. RESULTS Among 7531 couples tested for trichomoniasis, 981 (13%) couples contained at least one infected partner. The prevalence was 11% (n=857) among women and 4% (n=319) among men, and most infected individuals did not experience signs or symptoms of T. vaginalis. Exploring concordance of T. vaginalis status within sexual partnerships, we observed that 61% (195/319) of T. vaginalis-positive men and 23% (195/857) of T. vaginalis-positive women had a concurrently infected partner. In multivariable analysis, having a T. vaginalis-positive partner was the strongest predictor of infection for women (relative risk (RR) 4.70, 95% CI 4.10 to 5.38) and men (RR 10.09, 95% CI 7.92 to 12.85). For women, having outside sex partners, gonorrhoea, and intermediate or high Nugent scores for bacterial vaginosis were associated with increased risk of trichomoniasis, whereas age 45 years and above, being married, having children and injectable contraceptive use were associated with reduced trichomoniasis risk. Additionally, women whose male partners were circumcised, had more education or earned income had lower risk of trichomoniasis. CONCLUSIONS We found that within African HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples, the prevalence of trichomoniasis was high among partners of T. vaginalis-infected individuals, suggesting that partner services could play an important role identifying additional cases and preventing reinfection. Our results also suggest that male circumcision may reduce the risk of male-to-female T. vaginalis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron F Bochner
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alison S Rustagi
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jairam R Lingappa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nelly R Mugo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sinead Delany-Moretlwe
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Connie Celum
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ruanne V Barnabas
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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28
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Bartz D, Maurer R, Kremen J, Fortin JM, Janiak E, Goldberg AB. High-risk sexual behaviors while on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate as compared to oral contraception. Contracept Reprod Med 2017; 2:8. [PMID: 29201413 PMCID: PMC5683469 DOI: 10.1186/s40834-016-0035-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraceptive use is associated with an increased risk for Chlamydia infection. However, prior studies inadequately account for potential differences in sexual behavior between users of DMPA and users of other contraceptive methods. In this study we compare sexual risk-taking behavior in women using DMPA to women using oral contraceptive pills (OCP) to assess risk of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Methods In this cross-sectional study of 630 reproductive-aged women seeking routine gynecologic care (449 OCP and 181 DMPA users) sexual risk-taking was evaluated by use of the Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire, a validated measure of sexual behaviors and attitudes. All women were screened for Chlamydia. Logistic regression estimated the association of contraceptive choice, sexual behaviors, and Chlamydia infection. Results Oral contraceptive pill users differed from DMPA users in age, race, marital status, education level, and pregnancy history (p-values all <0.05). Oral contraceptive pill users had used their method of contraception for longer average duration (p < 0.01) and reported greater frequency of condom use (p < 0.01). Eleven (2.5%) OCP and 2 (1.1%) DMPA users had Chlamydia (p = NS). Conclusions Oral contraceptive pill and DMPA users differed with respect to both demographic factors and frequency of condom use. Odds of current Chlamydia infection did not differ between OCP and DMPA users when controlling for sexual risk-taking or demographic factors, though due to low Chlamydia rates in our population, this study was underpowered to detect this difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Bartz
- The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 USA.,Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA.,1620 Tremont St, OBC-3, Boston, MA 02120 USA
| | - Rie Maurer
- Center for Clinical Investigation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jessica Kremen
- Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jennifer M Fortin
- Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Elizabeth Janiak
- The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Alisa B Goldberg
- The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 USA.,Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 1055 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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29
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A randomized clinical trial on the effects of progestin contraception in the genital tract of HIV-infected and uninfected women in Lilongwe, Malawi: Addressing evolving research priorities. Contemp Clin Trials 2016; 52:27-34. [PMID: 27836505 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal contraception is central in the prevention of unintended pregnancy; however there are concerns that certain methods may increase the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. Hormonal contraceptives may modify the genital mucosa in several ways, however the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Few studies have examined genital HIV shedding prospectively before and after initiation of hormonal contraception. The effects of hormonal contraception on genital HIV shedding in the setting of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are also unknown. We designed a pilot clinical trial in which HIV-infected and uninfected women were randomized to either depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injectable or levonorgestrel (LNG) implant in Lilongwe, Malawi. The objectives were to: 1) assess the effect and compare the impact of type of progestin contraception (injectable versus implant) on HIV genital shedding among HIV-infected women, 2) assess the effect and compare the impact of type of progestin contraception on inflammatory/immune markers in the genital tract of both HIV-infected and uninfected women, and 3) assess the interaction of progestin contraception and ART by examining contraceptive efficacy and ART efficacy. An additional study aim was to determine the feasibility and need for a larger study of determinants of HIV transmissibility and acquisition. As injectable contraception is widely used in many parts of the world with high HIV prevalence, this study will provide important information in determining the need for and feasibility of a larger study to address these questions that can impact the lives of millions of women living with or at risk for HIV.
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30
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Socías ME, Duff P, Shoveller J, Montaner JSG, Nguyen P, Ogilvie G, Shannon K. Use of injectable hormonal contraception and HSV-2 acquisition in a cohort of female sex workers in Vancouver, Canada. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 93:284-289. [PMID: 27821613 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Increased risk of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) has been proposed as a possible indirect pathway through which hormonal contraceptives (specifically depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)) may increase the risk of HIV acquisition among women. We investigated the effects of DMPA on HSV-2 acquisition among female sex workers. METHODS Longitudinal data were drawn from a prospective cohort of sex workers in Vancouver, Canada. The primary outcome was HSV-2 seroconversion. Extended Cox regression analyses were used to model the independent effect of DMPA use on HSV-2 acquisition. RESULTS Between January 2010 and February 2014, 149 HSV-2 seronegative women were enrolled, contributing to 228 person-years (py) of follow-up. Of these, 19 (13.3%) reported DMPA use. There were 39 HSV-2 seroconversions (12 among DMPA users and 27 among non-users) over the study period (median follow-up of 18.6 months (IQR 8.4-29.9)), resulting in an overall incidence rate of 17.1 cases per 100 py (95% CI 12.4 to 23.6). Incidence rates were higher among DMPA users (57.4 cases per 100 py, 95% CI 31.4 to 105.0) compared with non-users (13.1 cases per 100 py, 95% CI 8.9 to 19.1). After adjusting for key confounders, use of DMPA remained an independent predictor of HSV-2 acquisition (adjusted HR 4.43, 95% CI 1.90 to 10.35). CONCLUSIONS The high observed incidence rates of HSV-2, together with a strong association between DMPA exposure and HSV-2 acquisition, raise serious concerns about the provision of optimal reproductive and sexual healthcare to sex workers in this setting. Given the known links between HSV-2 and HIV, our findings underscore the need for further research to better understand the potential association between DMPA and increased risk of HSV-2 and other STIs to help inform the development of safer reproductive choices for women worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eugenia Socías
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Putu Duff
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jean Shoveller
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julio S G Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Nguyen
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gina Ogilvie
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kate Shannon
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Women who have genital inflammation are at increased risk of sexual HIV infection. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the mechanisms for this relationship, causes of genital inflammation, and strategies to manage this condition. RECENT FINDINGS We have recently shown in a cohort of South African women that HIV seroconversion was associated with persistently raised genital inflammatory cytokines (including MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and IP-10). Elevated inflammatory cytokine concentrations may facilitate HIV infection by recruiting and activating HIV target cells and disrupting the mucosal epithelial barrier. Bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are predominantly asymptomatic in women, cause lower genital tract inflammation and increased HIV acquisition risk. In Africa, where syndromic management of STIs and bacterial vaginosis is standard-of-care, the substantial burden of asymptomatic infections has likely contributed to high-HIV incidence rates. SUMMARY A genital inflammatory profile contributes to the high risk of HIV acquisition in African women. STIs and bacterial vaginosis are poorly managed in Africa and other developing nations and as such remain major drivers of persistent genital inflammation and HIV acquisition among these women.
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Ambrozio CL, Nagel AS, Jeske S, Bragança GCM, Borsuk S, Villela MM. Trichomonas vaginalis PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:61. [PMID: 27680166 PMCID: PMC5048632 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis infections have been associated with other diseases so that epidemiological studies of the parasite are important and help to prevent the spread of the disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalis in female patients of 19 counties in southwestern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For diagnosis, was used direct examination, followed by applying a socio-epidemiological questionnaire. We analyzed 300 women and 9% were infected by Trichomonas vaginalis. The highest frequency occurred in women between 18 and 39 years old, single/divorced/widowed, whose family income was at one minimum wage or less, and they had not completed the primary school. Statistically significant risk factors were: women reporting two or more sexual partners in the last year were 3.3 times more likely to acquire the parasite, and those in use of oral contraceptives were 2.7 times more likely to have T. vaginalis. Importantly, 33% of the asymptomatic women were infected, and most of the negative results were from women presenting symptoms consistent with the infection. The findings emphasize that it is necessary to expand the knowledge of individuals about the disease, especially among women with the above mentioned risk factors and also to include the regular screening of Trichomonas vaginalis infections in health centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cíntia Lima Ambrozio
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Andréia Saggin Nagel
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Sabrina Jeske
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Guilherme Cassão Marques Bragança
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Farmacêutico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Sibele Borsuk
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas(UFPel), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Marcos Marreiro Villela
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
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Wang LY, OuYang L, Tong F, Zhang XJ, Li XD, Wang CC, Li X, Sun L, Sun YH. The effect of contraceptive methods on reproductive tract infections risk: a cross-sectional study having a sample of 52,481 women. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2016; 294:1249-1256. [PMID: 27538571 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-016-4172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific contraceptives use and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). STUDY DESIGN Participants consisted of 52,481 rural married women of reproductive age identified from a cross-sectional study in Anhui Province of China. The questionnaire, gynecological examination, and laboratory inspection were used to collect data. The subgroup analysis was performed to estimate the effect of the specific contraceptives on the specific RTIs. RESULTS A total of 49,970 (95.2 %) women used contraceptive methods and 31,390 (59.8 %) women had at least one RTI. Overall, use of intrauterine device (IUD), condom, female sterilisation, rhythm method, and oral contraceptive (OC) were associated with RTIs. In the subgroup analysis, IUD use was a risk factor for endocervicitis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis; condom, rhythm method, and OC were associated with endocervicitis; female sterilisation was associated with endocervicitis and trichomoniasis. Moreover, male sterilisation was associated with endocervicitis; withdrawal was a protective factor for endocervicitis and a risk factor for trichomoniasis; subdermal implant was associated with candidiasis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). CONCLUSIONS All the contraceptive methods may lead to the RTIs. A properly assessment for contraceptive methods use is needed for female reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ya Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Le OuYang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Tong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiu-De Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye-Huan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
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Changes in Vaginal Microbiota and Immune Mediators in HIV-1-Seronegative Kenyan Women Initiating Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2016; 71:359-66. [PMID: 26914908 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is associated with HIV acquisition. We studied changes in vaginal microbiota and inflammatory milieu after DMPA initiation. METHODS In a cohort of HIV-negative Kenyan women, we collected monthly vaginal swabs over 1 year before and after DMPA. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we compared quantities of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus iners, Gardnerella vaginalis, and total bacterial load (16S ribosomal RNA gene levels). Six vaginal immune mediators were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Trends in the detection and quantity of bacteria were estimated by logistic and linear mixed-effects regression. RESULTS From 2010 to 2012, 15 HIV-seronegative women initiated DMPA, contributing 85 visits (median, 6 visits/woman; range, 3-8 visits/woman). The median time of DMPA-exposed follow-up was 8.4 months (range, 1.5-11.6 months). Seven women (46%) had bacterial vaginosis within 70 days before DMPA start. L. iners was detected in 13 women (87%) before DMPA start, but other lactobacilli were rarely detected. Gardnerella vaginalis decreased by 0.21 log10 copies per swab per month after DMPA exposure (P = 0.01). Total bacterial load decreased by 0.08 log10 copies per swab per month of DMPA (P = 0.02). Sustained decreases in interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0.03), IL-8 (P = 0.04), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (P < 0.001) were also noted. Nine women (60%) had L. crispatus detected post-DMPA, which significantly correlated with reduced IL-6 (P < 0.01) and IL-8 (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Initiation of DMPA led to sustained shifts in vaginal bacterial concentrations and levels of inflammatory mediators. Further studies are warranted to outline components of the vaginal microbiota influenced by DMPA use and impact on HIV susceptibility.
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Black A, Guilbert E, Costescu D, Dunn S, Fisher W, Kives S, Mirosh M, Norman W, Pymar H, Reid R, Roy G, Varto H, Waddington A, Wagner MS, Whelan AM. Canadian Contraception Consensus (Part 3 of 4): Chapter 8 - Progestin-Only Contraception. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2016; 38:279-300. [PMID: 27106200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide guidelines for health care providers on the use of contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy and on the promotion of healthy sexuality. OUTCOMES Overall efficacy of cited contraceptive methods, assessing reduction in pregnancy rate, safety, ease of use, and side effects; the effect of cited contraceptive methods on sexual health and general well-being; and the relative cost and availability of cited contraceptive methods in Canada. EVIDENCE Published literature was retrieved through searches of Medline and The Cochrane Database from January 1994 to January 2015 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., contraception, sexuality, sexual health) and key words (e.g., contraception, family planning, hormonal contraception, emergency contraception). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published in English from January 1994 to January 2015. Searches were updated on a regular basis in incorporated in the guideline to June 2015. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. VALUES The quality of the evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). CHAPTER 8: PROGESTIN-ONLY CONTRACEPTION: Summary Statements Recommendations.
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Black A, Guilbert E, Costescu D, Dunn S, Fisher W, Kives S, Mirosh M, Norman WV, Pymar H, Reid R, Roy G, Varto H, Waddington A, Wagner MS, Whelan AM. Consensus canadien sur la contraception (3e partie de 4) : chapitre 8 – contraception à progestatif seul. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2016; 38:301-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Engelmann F, Rivera A, Park B, Messerle-Forbes M, Jensen JT, Messaoudi I. Impact of Estrogen Therapy on Lymphocyte Homeostasis and the Response to Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Post-Menopausal Women. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149045. [PMID: 26859566 PMCID: PMC4747494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely recognized that changes in levels of ovarian steroids modulate severity of autoimmune disease and immune function in young adult women. These observations suggest that the loss of ovarian steroids associated with menopause could affect the age-related decline in immune function, known as immune senescence. Therefore, in this study, we determined the impact of menopause and estrogen therapy (ET) on lymphocyte subset frequency as well as the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccine in three different groups: 1) young adult women (regular menstrual cycles, not on hormonal contraception); 2) post-menopausal (at least 2 years) women who are not receiving any form of hormone therapy (HT) and 3) post-menopausal hysterectomized women receiving ET. Although the numbers of circulating CD4 and CD20 B cells were reduced in the post-menopausal group receiving ET, we also detected a better preservation of naïve B cells, decreased CD4 T cell inflammatory cytokine production, and slightly lower circulating levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Following vaccination, young adult women generated more robust antibody and T cell responses than both post-menopausal groups. Despite similar vaccine responses between the two post-menopausal groups, we observed a direct correlation between plasma 17β estradiol (E2) levels and fold increase in IgG titers within the ET group. These findings suggest that ET affects immune homeostasis and that higher plasma E2 levels may enhance humoral responses in post-menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Engelmann
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea Rivera
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Byung Park
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Marci Messerle-Forbes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey T. Jensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hormonal Contraceptive Effects on the Vaginal Milieu: Microbiota and Immunity. CURRENT OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13669-016-0142-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Balkus JE, Brown ER, Hillier SL, Coletti A, Ramjee G, Mgodi N, Makanani B, Reid C, Martinson F, Soto-Torres L, Abdool Karim SS, Chirenje ZM. Oral and injectable contraceptive use and HIV acquisition risk among women in four African countries: a secondary analysis of data from a microbicide trial. Contraception 2015; 93:25-31. [PMID: 26519646 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of oral and injectable contraceptive use compared to nonhormonal contraceptive use on HIV acquisition among Southern African women enrolled in a microbicide trial. STUDY DESIGN This is a prospective cohort study using data from women enrolled in HIV Prevention Trials Network protocol 035. At each quarterly visit, participants were interviewed about self-reported contraceptive use and sexual behaviors and underwent HIV testing. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the effect of injectable and oral hormonal contraceptive use on HIV acquisition. RESULTS The analysis included 2830 participants, of whom 106 became HIV infected (4.07 per 100 person-years). At baseline, 1546 (51%) participants reported using injectable contraceptives and 595 (21%) reported using oral contraceptives. HIV incidence among injectable, oral and nonhormonal contraceptive method users was 4.72, 2.68 and 3.83 per 100 person-years, respectively. Injectable contraceptive use was associated with a nonstatistically significant increased risk of HIV acquisition [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70, 1.96], while oral contraceptive use was associated with a nonstatistically significant decreased risk of HIV acquisition (aHR=0.76; 95% CI 0.37,1.55). CONCLUSION In this secondary analysis of randomized trial data, a marginal, but nonstatistically significant, increase in HIV risk among women using injectable hormonal contraceptives was observed. No increased HIV risk was observed among women using oral contraceptives. Our findings support the World Health Organization's recommendation that women at high risk for acquiring HIV, including those using progestogen-only injectable contraception, should be strongly advised to always use condoms and other HIV prevention measures. IMPLICATIONS Among Southern African women participating in an HIV prevention trial, women using injectable hormonal contraceptives had a modest increased risk of HIV acquisition; however, this association was not statistically significant. Continued research on the relationship between widely used hormonal contraceptive methods and HIV acquisition is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Balkus
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Brown
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sharon L Hillier
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and the Magee-Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Gita Ramjee
- HIV Prevention Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nyaradzo Mgodi
- University of Zimbabwe - University of California San Francisco Research Program, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Bonus Makanani
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Cheri Reid
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Francis Martinson
- University of North Carolina Project, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Salim S Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Congella, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zvavahera M Chirenje
- University of Zimbabwe - University of California San Francisco Research Program, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Liechty ER, Bergin IL, Bassis CM, Chai D, LeBar W, Young VB, Bell JD. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is associated with delayed endocervical clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis without alterations in vaginal microbiota. Pathog Dis 2015; 73:ftv070. [PMID: 26371177 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progestin-based contraception may impact women's susceptibility to sexually transmitted infection. We evaluated the effect of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on cervical persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in a baboon model. Female olive baboons (Papio anubis) with or without an LNG-IUS received CT or sham inoculations. CT was detected in cervical epithelium with weekly nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and culture. Presence of the LNG-IUS was associated with prolonged persistence of CT. Median time to post-inoculation clearance of CT as detected by NAAT was 10 weeks (range 7-12) for animals with an LNG-IUS and 3 weeks (range 0-12) for non-LNG-IUS animals (P = 0.06). Similarly, median time to post-inoculation clearance of CT by culture was 9 weeks (range 3-12) for LNG-IUS animals and 1.5 weeks (range 0-10) for non-LNG-IUS animals (P = 0.04). We characterized the community structure of the vaginal microbiota with the presence of the LNG-IUS to determine if alterations in CT colonization dynamics were associated with changes in vaginal commensal bacteria. Vaginal swabs were collected weekly for microbiome analysis. Endocervical CT infection was not correlated with alterations in the vaginal microbiota. Together, these results suggest that LNG-IUS may facilitate CT endocervical persistence through a mechanism distinct from vaginal microbial alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Liechty
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ingrid L Bergin
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Christine M Bassis
- Department of Internal Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Daniel Chai
- Institute for Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - William LeBar
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Vincent B Young
- Department of Internal Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason D Bell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Russell AN, Zheng X, O'Connell CM, Taylor BD, Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Zhong W, Darville T. Analysis of Factors Driving Incident and Ascending Infection and the Role of Serum Antibody in Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Tract Infection. J Infect Dis 2015; 213:523-31. [PMID: 26347571 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection is a major cause of female reproductive morbidity. Risk factors for ascending infection are unknown, and the role for antibody in protection is not well established. METHODS We recruited 225 women from urban outpatient clinics and followed them for a median of 12 months. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of serum anti-chlamydial immunoglobulin G (IgG), behavioral factors, and microbiological factors associated with endometrial infection at enrollment, and a longitudinal analysis of factors associated with incident infection. RESULTS Oral contraceptives (adjusted relative risk [RR], 2.02 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.38-2.97]) and gonorrhea (adjusted RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.07-2.60]) were associated with endometrial infection. Gonorrhea (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.09 [95% CI, 1.41-6.78]), cervical infection at enrollment (adjusted HR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.07-5.11]), and exposure to uncircumcised partners (adjusted HR, 2.65 [95% CI, 1.21-5.82]) or infected partners (adjusted HR, 4.99 [95% CI, 2.66-9.39]) significantly increased the risk of incident infection. Seropositivity was associated with a reduced cervical burden (P < .05) but no differences in rates of ascending infection (adjusted RR, 1.24 [95% CI, .71-2.19]) or incident infection (adjusted HR, 0.94 [95% CI, .52-1.69]). CONCLUSIONS Serum anti-chlamydial IgG is not associated with a lowered rate of ascending or repeat infection. Identification of factors associated with ascending infection and increased risk of incident infection provide guidance for targeted screening of women at increased risk for sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali N Russell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
| | - Xiaojing Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
| | | | - Brandie D Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station
| | - Harold C Wiesenfeld
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh and Magee Womens Research Institute, Pennsylvania
| | - Sharon L Hillier
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh and Magee Womens Research Institute, Pennsylvania
| | - Wujuan Zhong
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
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Fichorova RN, Chen PL, Morrison CS, Doncel GF, Mendonca K, Kwok C, Chipato T, Salata R, Mauck C. The Contribution of Cervicovaginal Infections to the Immunomodulatory Effects of Hormonal Contraception. mBio 2015; 6:e00221-15. [PMID: 26330510 PMCID: PMC4556810 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00221-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Particular types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and genital tract infections have been independently associated with risk of HIV-1 acquisition. We examined whether immunity in women using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), combined oral contraceptives (COC), or no HCs differs by the presence of cervicovaginal infections. Immune mediators were quantified in cervical swabs from 832 HIV-uninfected reproductive-age Ugandans and Zimbabweans. Bacterial infections and HIV were diagnosed by PCR, genital herpes serostatus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), altered microflora by Nugent score, and Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection by wet mount. Generalized linear models utilizing Box-Cox-Power transformation examined associations between levels of mediators, infection status, and HCs. In no-HC users, T. vaginalis was associated with broadest spectrum of aberrant immunity (higher interleukin 1β [IL-1β], IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein 3α [MIP-3α], β-defensin 2 [BD2], and IL-1 receptor antigen [IL-1RA]). In women with a normal Nugent score and no genital infection, compared to the no-HC group, COC users showed higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1RA, while DMPA users showed higher levels of RANTES and lower levels of BD2, both associated with HIV seroconversion. These effects of COC were blunted in the presence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and an abnormal Nugent score; however, RANTES was increased among COC users with herpes, chlamydia, and abnormal Nugent scores. The effect of DMPA was exacerbated by lower levels of IL-1RA in gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes, SLPI in gonorrhea, and IL-1β, MIP-3α, and IL-1RA/IL1β ratio in trichomoniasis. Thus, the effects of HC on cervical immunity depend on the genital tract microenvironment, and a weakened mucosal barrier against HIV may be a combined resultant of genital tract infections and HC use. IMPORTANCE In this article, we show that in young reproductive-age women most vulnerable to HIV, hormonal contraceptives are associated with altered cervical immunity in a manner dependent on the presence of genital tract infections. Through altered immunity, hormones may predispose women to bacterial and viral pathogens; conversely, a preexisting specific infection or disturbed vaginal microbiota may suppress the immune activation by levonorgestrel or exacerbate the suppressed immunity by DMPA, thus increasing HIV risk by their cumulative action. Clinical studies assessing the effects of contraception on HIV susceptibility and mucosal immunity may generate disparate results in populations that differ by microbiota background or prevalence of undiagnosed genital tract infections. A high prevalence of asymptomatic infections among HC users that remain undiagnosed and untreated raises even more concerns in light of their combined effects on biomarkers of HIV risk. The molecular mechanisms of the vaginal microbiome's simultaneous interactions with hormones and HIV remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raina N Fichorova
- Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kevin Mendonca
- Laboratory of Genital Tract Biology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Salata
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Nichols WA, Birke L, Dufour J, Loganantharaj N, Bagby GJ, Nelson S, Molina PE, Amedee AM. Characterization of the Genital Microenvironment of Female Rhesus Macaques Prior to and After SIV Infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:508-22. [PMID: 26290147 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM HIV infection among women is frequently modeled in female rhesus macaques. Longitudinal studies on genital compartment and hormonal factors that can influence susceptibility to SIV infection are lacking in this animal model. METHOD OF STUDY Genital specimens and menstruation of indoor-housed female rhesus macaques were analyzed prior to and after SIV infection. RESULTS Median menstrual cycle length averaged 27 days, although highly variable cycle lengths and frequent periods of amenorrhea were observed during summer months. The vaginal microbiota, characterized by adapted Nugent scoring, showed predominance of small Gram-variable rods and Gram-positive cocci. Highly variable vaginal cytokine levels were observed pre- and post-SIV infection. Vaginal viral loads correlated with plasma viral loads, but were not associated with progesterone levels. CONCLUSION These results provide an integrated characterization of important factors in the vaginal microenvironment that are relevant to the experimental design of HIV prevention and transmission studies in female rhesus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney A Nichols
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Leslie Birke
- Division of Animal Care, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jason Dufour
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Nisha Loganantharaj
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Gregory J Bagby
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Steve Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Patricia E Molina
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Angela M Amedee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Bradshaw CS, Brotman RM. Making inroads into improving treatment of bacterial vaginosis - striving for long-term cure. BMC Infect Dis 2015. [PMID: 26219949 PMCID: PMC4518586 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1027-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the great enigmas in women's health, a common condition of unknown aetiology, which is associated with significant morbidity and unacceptably high recurrence rates. While it remains unclear whether BV recurrence is predominantly due to failure of current antibiotic regimens to eradicate BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and biofilm, a failure of some women to re-establish a resilient Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiota, reinfection from sexual partners, or a combination of these factors, it is inherently challenging to make significant inroads towards this goal. In this review, we will outline why BV is such a clinical and epidemiologic conundrum, and focus on several key approaches that we believe merit discussion and clinical research, including strategies to: i) prevent reinfection (partner treatment trials), ii) boost favourable vaginal Lactobacillus species and promote a Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiome (hormonal contraceptive and probiotic trials) and iii) disrupt vaginal BV-associated biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catriona S Bradshaw
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia. .,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Rebecca M Brotman
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Effect of hormonal contraception on the function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and distribution of immune cell populations in the female reproductive tract. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2015; 68:511-8. [PMID: 25763784 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological evidence suggests an association between the use of hormonal contraception and an increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases including HIV-1. We sought to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the effect of hormonal contraception on the immune system. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS To delineate the biological mechanisms underlying the effect of hormonal contraceptives on the immune system, we analyzed the functional capacity of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), the distribution of vaginal immune cell populations, and the systemic and genital levels of immune mediators in women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), NuvaRing, or combined oral contraceptives (COC). RESULTS The use of DMPA or NuvaRing was associated with reduced capacity of circulating pDCs to produce interferon (IFN)-α and tumor necrosis (TNF-α) in response to TLR-9 stimulation. Systemic levels of IFN-α and cervicovaginal fluid levels of IFN-α, CXCL10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor were significantly lower in DMPA users compared to control volunteers not using hormonal contraception. The density of CD207 Langerhans cells in the vaginal epithelium was reduced in NuvaRing and combined oral contraceptive users but not in DMPA users. CONCLUSIONS The presented evidence suggests that the use of some types of hormonal contraception is associated with reduced functional capacity of circulating pDCs and altered immune environment in the female reproductive tract.
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Phenotypic Detection of Genitourinary Candidiasis among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attendees in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 2015:401340. [PMID: 26064140 PMCID: PMC4438167 DOI: 10.1155/2015/401340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The management of genitourinary candidiasis (GC) is fraught with challenges, especially, in an era of increasing antifungal resistance. This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between May 2013 and January 2014 determined the prevalence and characteristics of GC and the species of Candida among 369 attendees of a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinic of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. Appropriate urogenital specimen collected from each attendee was examined by microscopy and culture for Candida, with preliminary species identification by CHROMAgar Candida and confirmation by Analytical Profile Index (API) 20C AUX. The age range of attendees was 1-80 years, mean age was 36.32 ± 11.34 years, and male to female ratio was 1 to 3. The prevalence of genitourinary candidiasis was 47.4%, with 4.9% in males and 42.5% in females (p < 0.0001). The age groups 31-45 and 16-30 have the highest prevalence of 23.3% and 16.8%, respectively. The species of Candida recovered include Candida glabrata 46.9%, Candida albicans 33.7%, Candida dubliniensis 9.7%, Candida tropicalis 5.7%, Candida krusei 1.7%, Candida lusitaniae 1.7%, and Candida utilis 0.6%. This study reported non-C. albicans Candida, especially C. glabrata, as the most frequently isolated species in GC, contrary to previous studies in this environment and elsewhere.
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Ngcapu S, Masson L, Sibeko S, Werner L, McKinnon LR, Mlisana K, Shey M, Samsunder N, Karim SA, Karim QA, Passmore JAS. Lower concentrations of chemotactic cytokines and soluble innate factors in the lower female genital tract associated with the use of injectable hormonal contraceptive. J Reprod Immunol 2015; 110:14-21. [PMID: 25956139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone-based injectable hormonal contraceptives (HCs) potentially modulate genital barrier integrity and regulate the innate immune environment in the female genital tract, thereby enhancing the risk of STIs or HIV infection. We investigated the effects of injectable HC use on concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and other soluble factors associated with genital epithelial repair and integrity. The concentrations of 42 inflammatory, regulatory, adaptive growth factors and hematopoietic cytokines, five matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and four tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were measured in cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) from 64 HIV-negative women using injectable HCs and 64 control women not using any HCs, in a matched case-control study. There were no differences between groups in the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV; Nugent score ≥7), or common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In multivariate analyses adjusting for condom use, sex work status, marital status, BV and STIs, median concentrations of chemokines (eotaxin, MCP-1, MDC), adaptive cytokines (IL-15), growth factors (PDGF-AA) and a metalloproteinase (TIMP-2) were significantly lower in CVLs from women using injectable HCs than controls. In addition, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12p40 and the chemokine fractalkine were less likely to have detectable levels in women using injectable HCs compared with those not using HCs. We conclude that injectable HC use was broadly associated with an immunosuppressive female genital tract innate immune profile. While the relationship between injectable HC use and STI or HIV risk is yet to be resolved, our data suggest that the effects of injectable HCs were similar in STI-positive and STI-negative participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinaye Ngcapu
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lindi Masson
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town Medical School Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sengeziwe Sibeko
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lise Werner
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lyle R McKinnon
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Koleka Mlisana
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Muki Shey
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Natasha Samsunder
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Salim Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Quarraisha Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town Medical School Cape Town, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa.
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Gomez GB, Ward H, Garnett GP. Risk pathways for gonorrhea acquisition in sex workers: can we distinguish confounding from an exposure effect using a priori hypotheses? J Infect Dis 2014; 210 Suppl 2:S579-85. [PMID: 25381378 PMCID: PMC4231644 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The population distribution of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) varies broadly across settings. Although there have been many studies aiming to define subgroups at risk of infection that should be a target for prevention interventions by identifying risk factors, questions remain about how these risk factors interact, how their effects jointly influence the risk of acquisition, and their differential importance across populations. Theoretical frameworks describing the interrelationships among risk determinants are useful in directing both the design and analysis of research studies and interventions. In this article, we developed such a framework from a review looking at determinants of risk for STI acquisition, using gonorrhea as an index infection. We also propose an analysis strategy to interpret the associations found to be significant in uniform analyses of observational data. The framework and the hierarchical analysis strategy are of particular relevance in the understanding of risk formation and might prove useful in identifying determinants that are part of the causal pathway and therefore amenable to prevention strategies across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela B. Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, AMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Ward
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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De Seta F, Restaino S, Banco R, Conversano E, De Leo R, Tonon M, Maso G, Barbati G, Lello S. Effects of estroprogestins containing natural estrogen on vaginal flora. Gynecol Endocrinol 2014; 30:830-5. [PMID: 24993504 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2014.936847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estroprogestins with "natural oestrogen" has represented a new option in terms of combined hormonal contraception. So, the aim of this study is to investigate how estroprogestins with natural estrogen may modify the vaginal niche. In literature, very few studies focused on the interaction between hormonal contraception and vaginal milieu. This is a prospective comparative study. We enrolled 60 women from January 2013 to September 2013, 30 of them were administered estradiol valerate dienogest (E2V+DNG - Klaira®) in a quadriphasic regimen, while the other 30 women were administered 17-β estradiol with nomestrol acetate (EV+NOMAC - Zoely®) in a monophasic regimen. After a baseline study of vaginal milieu at recruitment of patients (Gram stain with Nugent score, vaginal pH, vaginal wet mount for the quantification of leukocytes, Lactobacilli and/or presence of Candida), we performed the same follow-up after six months of estroprogestin therapy. Our results showed that the women treated with E2V+DNG had a trend of an improvement of vaginal health in terms of increase of lactobacillar flora and reduction of vaginal pH in place of women treated with EV+NOMAC that showed a reduction of cervical mucus. Finally, our data about the effects on vaginal flora exerted by two estroprogestin pills (EPs) containing a natural estrogen suggest slight, but interesting differences in terms of vaginal ecology. These differences could be related to the type of estrogen, type of progestin, regimen of administration and, after all, to the net balance between estrogenic and progestin component of the EPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Seta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
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Bacterial vaginosis and the risk of trichomonas vaginalis acquisition among HIV-1-negative women. Sex Transm Dis 2014; 41:123-8. [PMID: 24413493 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vaginal microbiota may play a role in mediating susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections, including Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). METHODS Data were analyzed from HIV-1-seronegative women participating in HIV Prevention Trials Network Protocol 035. At quarterly visits for up to 30 months, participants completed structured interviews and specimens were collected for genital tract infection testing. T. vaginalis was detected by saline microscopy. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was characterized by Gram stain using the Nugent score (BV = 7-10; intermediate = 4-6; normal = 0-3 [reference group]). Cox proportional hazards models stratified by study site were used to assess the association between Nugent score category at the prior quarterly visit and TV acquisition. RESULTS In this secondary analysis, 2920 participants from Malawi, South Africa, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe contributed 16,259 follow-up visits. Bacterial vaginosis was detected at 5680 (35%) visits, and TV was detected at 400 (2.5%) visits. Adjusting for age, marital status, hormonal contraceptive use, unprotected sex in the last week and TV at baseline, intermediate Nugent score, and BV at the prior visit were associated with an increased risk of TV (intermediate score: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-2.19; BV: aHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.92-3.00). Sensitivity analyses excluding 211 participants with TV at baseline were similar to those from the full study population (intermediate score: aHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10-2.14; BV: aHR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.75-2.84). CONCLUSIONS Women with a Nugent score higher than 3 were at an increased risk for acquiring TV. If this relationship is causal, interventions that improve the vaginal microbiota could contribute to reductions in TV incidence.
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