Comparison of promestriene with vaginal fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency treatments of genitourinary syndrome of menopause

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of fractional CO2 laser and microablative fractional radiofrequency treatment with promestriene topical estrogen on sexual function and genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms.

METHODS

This was a prospective randomized open-label clinical trial conducted with 62 postmenopausal women assigned to three intervention groups: a) topical promestriene for 90 days (n = 17); b) fractional CO2 laser treatment (n = 24); and c) microablative fractional radiofrequency treatment (n = 21). Each of the latter two groups underwent three treatment sessions at 4-week intervals. At baseline and at the end of the study, all participants had a gynecological examination that included vaginal pH measurement, and the completion of the Vaginal Symptom Score, the Vaginal Health Index, and the Female Sexual Function Index. For the energy treatment groups, adverse effects were evaluated after each session. Group homogeneity was assessed at baseline, and results were evaluated over time (from baseline to the end of treatment) and between groups over time.

RESULTS

All baseline parameters were similar among studied groups. At the end of the study, all 3 treatments had produced similar effects: a reduction of vaginal pH, and an improvement of vulvovaginal symptoms (Vaginal Symptom Score and Vaginal Health Index scores) as well as sexual function (higher total Female Sexual Function Index scores, and in the desire, arousal, lubrication and pain domain scores), with no differences observed between groups. Side-effects were slight for both energy treatment groups, mainly represented by vaginal discharge.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that the two energy treatments were efficient along with promestriene at improving postmenopausal genitourinary and sexuality symptoms. Clinical trial identification numberNCT04717245.

A New Brazilian Device for Cervical Cancer Screening: Acceptability and Accuracy of Self-sampling

OBJECTIVE

 To evaluate the accuracy and patient acceptability toward self-sampling using a new device - SelfCervix® - for detecting HPV-DNA.

METHODS

 A total of 73 women aged 25-65 who underwent regular cervical cancer screening from March to October 2016 were included. Women performed self-sampling followed by a physician-sampling, and the samples were analyzed for HPV-DNA. After that, patients were surveyed about their acceptability of self-sampling.

RESULTS

 HPV-DNA detection rate of self-sampling presented high accuracy and was similar to physician-collection. Sixty-four (87.7%) patients answered the acceptability survey. Most patients (89%) considered the self-sampling comfortable, and 82.5% preferred self-sampling to physician-sampling. The reasons cited were time-saving and convenience. Fifty-one (79.7%) reported that they would recommend self-sampling.

CONCLUSION

 Self-sampling using the new Brazilian device SelfCervix® is not inferior in HPV-DNA detection rate compared with physician-collection, and patients are supportive of the method. Therefore, it might be an option to reach under-screened populations in Brazil.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) seroprevalence, cervical HPV prevalence, genotype distribution and cytological lesions in solid organ transplant recipients and immunocompetent women in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Introduction

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at increased risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) persistent infection and disease. This study aimed to evaluate HPV seroprevalence, cervical HPV prevalence, genotype distribution, and frequency of HPV-related cervical lesions in SOT recipients in comparison to immunocompetent women.

Methods

Cross-sectional study including SOT and immunocompetent women aged 18 to 45 years who denied previous HPV-related lesions. Cervical samples were screened for HPV-DNA by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA microarray system (PapilloCheck^®) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) by liquid-based cytology. A multiplexed pseudovirion-based serology assay (PsV-Luminex) was used to measure HPV serum antibodies.

Results

125 SOT and 132 immunocompetent women were enrolled. Cervical samples were collected from 113 SOT and 127 immunocompetent women who had initiated sexual activity. HPV-DNA prevalence was higher in SOT than in immunocompetent women (29.6% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.112), but this difference was not statistically significant. High-risk (HR)-HPV was significantly more frequent in SOT than in immunocompetent women (19.4% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.014). Simultaneous infection with ≥2 HR-HPV types was found in 3.1% of SOT and 0.9% of immunocompetent women. HPV seropositivity for at least one HPV type was high in both groups: 63.8% of 105 SOT and 69.7% of 119 immunocompetent women (p = 0.524). Low-grade (LSIL) and high-grade SIL (HSIL) were significantly more frequent in SOT (9.7% and 5.3%, respectively) than in immunocompetent women (1.6% and 0.8%, respectively) (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

These results may reflect the increased risk of HPV persistent infection and disease progression in SOT women due to chronic immunosuppression.

Relation between CANDIDA species isolated from vaginal mucosa and lesions caused by high-risk human papillomavirus hpv for cervical cancer

This study characterized and related yeasts of the genus Candida isolated from vaginal mucous membranes of women with lesions caused by high-risk HPV for cervical cancer. Forty-two women treated at the Lower Genital Tract Pathology Clinic of the University of São Paulo Medical School Hospital of Clinics were examined, with 30 high-grade (G1) uterine lesions with a mean age of 36.5 years ± 11. 1 and 12 with low grade (G2) uterine lesions with a mean age of 34.7 years ± 15.5. Clinical conditions and laboratory data on HPV were collected from patients’ medical records; the socio-demographic data obtained from an appropriate questionnaire. For the study of association between the variables, Odds Ratio analysis was used from the STATA 13.1 program. Patients G1 had a higher prevalence for diabetes and the results indicated 27% prevalence of Candida spp. in vaginal mucosa, in G2 this was 33% in vaginal mucosa. Among the species found in vaginal mucosa of patients, Candida albicans was the most isolated with 88%, followed by C. tropicalis (8%) and C. glabrata (4%). The strains of C. albicans isolated from mucosa presented sensitivity to all antifungal agents tested, unlike the C. tropicalis strain isolated in G2 in vaginal mucosa, which presented a resistance profile to fluconazole. Thus, monitoring and supervision through clinical and laboratory testing of HPV patients is important, reinforcing the need for care, treatment and prevention of HPV-related infections and Candida spp. KEY WORDS: vaginal mucosa; uterine cervical neoplasms; human Papillomavirus; Candida spp. Antifungal sensitivity.

A positive HPV test with positive p16/Ki-67 double staining in self-sampled vaginal material is an accurate tool to detect women at risk for cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

The development of efficient strategies for managing high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV)-positive women is a major challenge when human papillomavirus-based primary screening is being performed. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of HR-HPV testing based on self-collection (SC) and HR-HPV testing based on collection by a health professional (HP) and to assess the potential usefulness of HR-HPV testing combined with testing with the biomarkers p16/Ki-67, α-mannosidase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 232 women admitted for colposcopy because of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear. The collected material underwent liquid-based cytology, HR-HPV detection, and immunocytochemical testing (p16/Ki-67, α-mannosidase, and SOD2). The gold standard was the histopathological result; the positive reference was CIN2+.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy of HR-HPV testing was 76.6%; the results for the SC group (78.1%) and the HP group (75.2%) were similar. The positive predictive values (HP, 76.5%; SC, 80.0%), the negative predictive values (HP, 66.7%; SC, 64.3%), the positive likelihood values (HP, 1.35; SC, 1.36), and the negative likelihood values (HP, 0.21; SC, 0.19) were also similar. p16/Ki-67 showed higher sensitivity than the other 2 biomarkers: 78.1% versus 45.8% for α-mannosidase and 44.5% for SOD2. The specificities of the biomarkers were equivalent: 71.4% for p16/Ki-67, 77.8% for α-mannosidase, and 71.2% for SOD2. In the HP group, accuracy also leaned more heavily toward the final score (using α-mannosidase and SOD2) without statistical significance (80.8% vs 77.9%). The contrast with the SC group yielded the same level of accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

SC, when associated with testing with biomarkers, is as accurate as collection by HPs in the detection of women at risk for cervical cancer.

Is electrosurgery fulguration a better procedure for Bartholin's gland cyst?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of electrosurgery fulguration as a treatment for Bartholin's gland cysts. Retrospective study with a comparative control group performed on Hospital Brigadeiro and in the Disciplina de Ginecologia do Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo from February 2005 to March 2009. Patients: Patients with Bartholin's gland cyst were divided into three treatment groups: group 1 electrosurgery (n=169 cases); group 2 - gland excision with the conventional technique using a cold scalpel (n = 51 cases); group 3 - marsupialization (n=11 cases). We reviewed the clinical and surgical history, physical examination, description of the surgical technique, postoperative results (success and complications), and follow-up data.

RESULTS

There is no difference between groups in relation to intraoperative bleeding, hematoma, and complete healing in a single treatment session. However, electrosurgery shows the lower percentage of recurrences 18 (10,7%) compared to the Marsupialization technique (group 3, p=.031). Recurrences occurred in 18 (10,7%), 3 (5,9%), and 4 (36,4%) cases. After retreatment by the same technique, there was a complete cure rate of 90% (152/169) for group 1, and 98% (50/51) for group 2. The cost of group 1 was lower than that of other groups.

CONCLUSION

The fulguration with electrosurgery of the capsule of Bartholin's cyst is an effective method of treatment, andthe cost of this technique is lower than the conventional technique and marsupialization.

Lower genital tract infections in young female juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

BACKGROUND

To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients.

METHODS

After exclusion, 33 female adolescent and young JIA patients (ILAR criteria) and 28 healthy controls were selected for this study. Demographic data, gynecological, sexual function, cervical cytology and histological abnormalities were evaluated. JIA clinical/laboratorial parameters and treatment were also assessed. HPV-DNA, CT-DNA and NG-DNA testing in cervical specimens were performed by Hybrid Capture 2 assays.

RESULTS

The mean current age was similar in JIA patients and controls (23.3 ± 6.24 vs. 26.1 ± 6.03 years, p = 0.09). The frequencies of sexual intercourse (76% vs. 89%, p = 0.201) and abnormal cervical cytology (24% vs. 11%, p = 0.201) were similar in JIA compared to controls. The higher frequency of HPV infection in JIA patients than controls (30% vs. 11%, p = 0.155) did not reach statistical significance. CT (0% vs. 7%, p = 0.207) and NG infections (0% vs. 4%, p = 0.459) were also alike in both groups. Further evaluation of JIA patients with abnormal and normal cervical cytology showed that the former group had a higher frequency of HPV infection (87% vs. 12%, p = 0.0002) with a low frequency of HPV vaccination (0% vs. 8%, p = 1.0). No differences were evidenced between these two JIA groups regarding demographic data, sexual function and clinical/laboratorial parameters. The frequencies of methotrexate (p = 0.206) and biological agent use (p = 0.238) were similar in both JIA groups.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this was the first study to assess lower genital infections in JIA patients allowing the identification of HPV as main cause of cervical dysplasia. Methotrexate and biological agents do not seem to increase risk of lower genital tract infections in JIA patients.

Age-related acceptability of vaginal self-sampling in cervical cancer screening at two university hospitals: a pilot cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

To determine whether age is a barrier against acceptability of cervicovaginal self-sampling in screening for cervical cancer at two gynecology outpatient clinics.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study involving 116 women over 21 years of age with an abnormal Pap smear. Clinical and laboratorial data were recorded in electronic files. Women received detailed self-collection instructions. After the self-sampling procedure (Evalyn Brush®), women were instructed to answer a questionnaire about vaginal self-sampling acceptability that consisted of seven multiple-choice items. The participants were divided into three age brackets: 21 to 29 years, 30 to 49 years, and 50 years and over. Chi-square, Fischer exact, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used.

RESULTS

The analysis of the participants' perception of the procedure stratified according to age groups showed a decline in the fear of hurting oneself during the procedure as age increased. Most participants reported that it was very easy to understand how to use the self-sampling brush and that it was easy to use it. Most of them were neither embarrassed nor afraid of getting hurt during the procedure. The majority preferred self-sampling to collection by a healthcare professional. The main reason was practicality: the possibility of choosing the place and time for sampling.

CONCLUSIONS

The participating women found self-collection simple to understand and easy to accept regardless of age. The younger women indicated more fear and discomfort in self-sampling, which points to the need for attraction strategies that are more appealing to the younger generations.

Lactate secreted by cervical cancer cells modulates macrophage phenotype

Cervical cancer continues to be a public health problem in developing countries. Previous studies have shown that cervical cancer cells display markers of aerobic glycolysis, indicating that these tumors are likely to secrete lactate. Mostly, lactate is recognized as a molecule capable of suppressing immune responses, through inhibition of T cells, Mϕs, and dendritic cells. We and others have previously shown that Mϕs are frequent cells infiltrating cervical cancers with the ability to inhibit antitumor immune responses and promote tumor growth through angiogenesis. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that lactate, secreted by cervical cancer cells, can modulate Mϕ phenotype. First, we showed higher lactate plasma concentrations in patients with increasing cervical lesion grades, with maximum concentration in the plasma of cancer patients, which supported our hypothesis. We then inhibited lactate production in tumor cell spheroids established from cervical cancer derived cell lines, using the lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor, oxamate, prior to co-culture with monocytes. Lactate mediated part of the crosstalk between tumor cells and Mϕs, promoting secretion of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6, and up-regulation of hypoxia induced factor-1α expression, and down-regulation of p65-NFκB phosphorylation in Mϕs. We also showed that Mϕs from co-cultures treated with oxamate were better inducers of T cell activation. Of note, experiments performed with inhibition of the monocarboxylate transporters rendered similar results. Our data confirms the hypothesis that lactate, secreted by cervical tumor cells, influences the phenotype of tumor Mϕs, promoting a suppressive phenotype.

Local and systemic immunomodulatory mechanisms triggered by Human Papillomavirus transformed cells: a potential role for G-CSF and neutrophils

Cervical cancer is the last stage of a series of molecular and cellular alterations initiated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The process involves immune responses and evasion mechanisms, which culminates with tolerance toward tumor antigens. Our objective was to understand local and systemic changes in the interactions between HPV associated cervical lesions and the immune system as lesions progress to cancer. Locally, we observed higher cervical leukocyte infiltrate, reflected by the increase in the frequency of T lymphocytes, neutrophils and M2 macrophages, in cancer patients. We observed a strong negative correlation between the frequency of neutrophils and T cells in precursor and cancer samples, but not cervicitis. In 3D tumor cell cultures, neutrophils inhibited T cell activity, displayed longer viability and longer CD16 expression half-life than neat neutrophil cultures. Systemically, we observed higher plasma G-CSF concentration, higher frequency of immature low density neutrophils, and tolerogenic monocyte derived dendritic cells, MoDCs, also in cancer patients. Interestingly, there was a negative correlation between T cell activation by MoDCs and G-CSF concentration in the plasma. Our results indicate that neutrophils and G-CSF may be part of the immune escape mechanisms triggered by cervical cancer cells, locally and systemically, respectively.

Frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in cervical intraepithelial lesions and the status of cytological p16/Ki-67 dual-staining

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is not a disease subject to mandatory reporting in Brazil, and the prevalence rate of this genital infection varies according to the region in which studies are conducted, as well as by the detection technique employed. Ct has been associated with persistence of Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the facilitation of cervical carcinoma development. We evaluated the Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its association with cytology, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology and cervical intraepithelial lesions status in a screening cohort in Brazil.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 1481 cervical samples from asymptomatic women aged 18 to 64. Samples were collected for liquid-based cytology and Ct detection by polymerase chain reaction. p16/Ki-67 double staining was performed on samples with abnormal cytology. Statistical analysis was by chi-square and likelihood-ratio tests. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined.

Results

The frequency of Ct was 15.6% and its presence was not associated with detection of p16/Ki-67 [OR = 1.35 (0.5–3.4)]. There was also no association between abnormal cervical cytology and Ct-positivity [OR = 1.21 (0.46–3.2)]. Associations were observed between p16/Ki-67 and high-grade lesions detected by cytology and in biopsies [OR = 3.55 (1.50–8.42) and OR = 19.00 (0.6–7.2), respectively].

Conclusions

The asymptomatic women in our study had a high frequency of Ct infection but this was not associated with p16/Ki-67 detection in samples with abnormal cytology. The expression of p16/Ki-67 was highest in women with high-grade CIN (p = 0.003).

High-level of viral genomic diversity in cervical cancers: A Brazilian study on human papillomavirus type 16

Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the third most frequent cancer among women worldwide and is associated with persistent infection by carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The combination of large populations of viral progeny and decades of sustained infection may allow for the generation of intra-patient diversity, in spite of the assumedly low mutation rates of PVs. While the natural history of chronic HPVs infections has been comprehensively described, within-host viral diversity remains largely unexplored. In this study we have applied next generation sequencing to the analysis of intra-host genetic diversity in ten ICC and one condyloma cases associated to single HPV16 infection. We retrieved from all cases near full-length genomic sequences. All samples analyzed contained polymorphic sites, ranging from 3 to 125 polymorphic positions per genome, and the median probability of a viral genome picked at random to be identical to the consensus sequence in the lesion was only 40%. We have also identified two independent putative duplication events in two samples, spanning the L2 and the L1 gene, respectively. Finally, we have identified with good support a chimera of human and viral DNA. We propose that viral diversity generated during HPVs chronic infection may be fueled by innate and adaptive immune pressures. Further research will be needed to understand the dynamics of viral DNA variability, differentially in benign and malignant lesions, as well as in tissues with differential intensity of immune surveillance. Finally, the impact of intralesion viral diversity on the long-term oncogenic potential may deserve closer attention.

Condyloma acuminatum by human papilloma virus infection in childhood-systemic lupus erythematosus patients

INTRODUCTION

Infections are frequent in childhood-systemic lupus erythematosus (C-SLE) patients, including human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection may cause genital and anal warts named condyloma acuminatum (CA). To our knowledge, none case was reported and the prevalence of CA in C-SLE population was not performed.

CASE REPORTS

From January 1983 to May 2012, 5,682 patients were followed at the Pediatric Rheumatology Unit from of our University Hospital and 289 (5%) of them met the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for C- SLE. Four (1.4%) of our female patients had CA. The median age at diagnosis was 13 years. Three of them were sexually active and all of them had active disease and had high risk HPV anogenital warts. Pap smears showed low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, guided biopsies identified chronic cervicitis, vulvar, vaginal, anal and/or cervix intraepithelial neoplasia. All of them were under corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. The visible genital warts lesions were eradicated.

DISCUSSION

Our patients requires rigorous gynecologic follow-up due to the severe anogenital dysplasia. HPV vaccine should be indicated in all C-SLE prior to sexual activity.

Characterization of p16 and E6 HPV-related proteins in uterine cervix high-grade lesions of patients treated by conization with large loop excision

Cervical cancer and its precursor lesions represent a significant public health problem for developing and less-developed countries. Cervical carcinogenesis is strongly correlated with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is mostly associated with expression of the p16 and E6 HPV-related proteins. The aim of this present study was to determine the expression of the p16 and E6 proteins in females with high-grade lesions treated with conization, and to discuss the role of these proteins as prognostic markers following treatment. In total, 114 females were treated for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, grades 2/3) by conization with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Following surgery, the patients returned within 30–45 days for post-operative evaluation. A follow-up was conducted every 6 months for 2 years. At each follow-up appointment, a Pap smear, colposcopy and HPV DNA test were performed. E6 and p16 immunohistochemical tests were conducted on the surgical specimens. The positive expression of p16 was correlated with the presence of lesions with increased severity in the surgical specimens (P= 0.0001). The expression of E6 did not demonstrate the same correlation (P=0.131). The HPV DNA hybrid, collected in the first post-operative consultation as a predictor of the cytological abnormalities identified at the 24-month follow-up assessment, presented a sensitivity of 55.6%, a specificity of 84.8%, a positive predictive value of 33.3% and a negative predictive value of 93.3%. The role of p16INK4A as a marker of CIN was also demonstrated; the expression of p16 and E6, however, did not appear to be of any prognostic value in predicting the clearance of high-risk HPV following conization. A negative hybrid capture test was correlated with a disease-free outcome.

Implementing human papillomavirus testing in a public health hospital: challenges and opportunities

OBJECTIVES

Robust evidence now supports human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a more effective option to screening and as more sensitive than cytology in detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia . Our goal was to analyze the performance of the Hybrid Capture II (HC2) assay for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) in women undergoing gynecological examination at a public health hospital as part of the evaluation of HPV screening as an alternative or complement to cytology.

STUDY DESIGN

This analysis is a subset of a cross-sectional study carried out at a large public hospital serving a predominantly low-resource population. A total of 705 women were enrolled; the sensitivity and specificity of each test were estimated and compared.

RESULTS

The analysis identified 272 hrHPV-positive women (mean age 36.3 years) and 433 hrHPV-negative women (mean age 41.2 years). HPV testing showed a significantly increased sensitivity of the HC2 assay versus cytology (84.5 vs. 69.7%; p < 0.0001) but a lower specificity (49.90 vs. 88.78%; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of both methods seems to be useful in improving detection of cervical lesions.

Evaluation of the combination of cytology and hybrid capture to safely predict the high-grade lesion status of patients treated with conization with large loop excision of the transformation zone

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to verify whether human papillomavirus (HPV) testing after conization treatment has some potential usefulness for predicting patients' outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

One hundred and twenty women were treated for HSIL by conization with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Cytology, colposcopy-guided biopsy, and hybrid capture 2 (HC2) HPV DNA tests were performed before the surgical procedure and every 6 months for 2 years at follow-up.

RESULTS

More than 90% of the patients tested positive for high-risk HPV prior to the surgical intervention. Six months after the cervical conization, 74.75% of the patients tested negative for high-risk HPV DNA, and 19.41% were positive. Of the women who were HC2 negative, 72 showed normal cytological smears, 3 ASC-US, 2 LSIL, and 1 HSIL. Of those who were HC2 positive, 8 showed normal smears, 2 ASC-US, 2 ASC-H, 5 LSIL, and 1 case had HSIL, AGC, and squamous cells invasive carcinoma. Clinically, the HSIL case with a negative HPV test did not show any sign of high-grade lesions, and the clinical follow-up did not show residual lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative HPV tests correlated with freedom from high-grade disease after 2 years of postconization follow-up, which strongly suggests that negative HPV tests predict the absence of cervical disease.

Risk of hepatitis B virus transmission by diagnostic hysteroscopy

Few data are available in the literature concerning the efficacy of standard hysteroscope disinfection procedures to prevent hepatitis B transmission. The aim of the present study was to determine the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission during hysteroscopy among anti-HBc-seropositive women. Serum and hysteroscopic samples were collected from 62 women after diagnostic hysteroscopy. All samples were tested for serologic HBV markers. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were carried out to amplify regions C and S of the viral genome and only samples amplified by both pairs of primers were considered to be positive. Anti-HBc was repeatedly reactive in 48 (77%) of 62 serum samples, and HBsAg was detected in 8 (13%). At least one HBV serologic marker was found in 49 (79%) samples. Only one sample was HBsAg positive and anti-HBc negative. HBV-DNA was detected by PCR in 7 serum samples but in only 3 hysteroscopic samples obtained just after hysteroscopy. It is noteworthy that high levels of anti-HBc IgM were detected in one HBsAg-negative patient who showed an HBV-DNA-positive hysteroscopic sample. An elevated sample/cut-off ratio for anti-HBc IgM suggests recent infection and reinforces the need for testing for HBsAg and anti-HBc before hysteroscopy, since acute hepatitis B can be clinically asymptomatic. Viral DNA was not detected in any hysteroscopic samples collected after washing and disinfecting procedures with glutaraldehyde. We conclude that HBV-DNA can be found in the hysteroscope soon after hysteroscopy, but standard disinfecting procedures are effective in viral removal.

[Endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with complicated heart diseases]

Complicated cardiologic patients with brain ischemia and heart failure need long term enteral nutrition. Long term nasoenteral tube feeding may cause complications that could be avoided with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and its main complications. Twelve patients were submitted to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (eight male) with main age of 62.42 +/- 22.10 years old. Brain ischemia was the main indication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and occurred after 35.58 +/- 26.79 days, after initiated enteral nutrition. There were no complications during procedure. On late post operatory period there were local infection in one cases, treated with local care. In conclusion, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a secure technique with low incidence of complications and its indication should be earlier.

[Colonoscopy in Crohn's disease of the colon]

The author's experience with 42 colonoscopies in 41 patients with barium enema diagnosis of Crohn's disease is presented. The radiologic, endoscopic, histologic and surgical results are compared. According to radiological localization, the patients were classified in these groups: anorectal (9.7%), colic (51.2%) and ileocolic (39.1%). In 34 patients (80.9%) the endoscopic appearance was compatible with Crohn's disease, and in 24 (70.5%) the histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Endoscopic findings were as follows: segmental lesions in 34 (100%), aphthous ulcers in 18 (52.9%), cleft-like ulceration in 24 (70.5%) and cobblestone mucosa in 28 (82.3%). In 8 patients where endoscopy was not suggestive of Crohn's disease, the histologic examination was also negative, showing that colonoscopy was better than barium enema. Twenty patients with endoscopic diagnosis of Crohn's disease were operated and the diagnosis was confirmed in all. Endoscopic biopsies were positive in 12 (60%) of these operated patients. The author concludes that the endoscopic diagnosis of Crohn's disease can be made regardless of biopsy results.

[Emergencies in peptic gastroduodenal ulcers]

The authors present an objective review of the main emergencies regarding peptic ulcer disease, gastric and duodenal. The complications, perforation, bleeding and pyloric stenosis, are dealt with in detail, regarding diagnosis and best therapeutic orientation, either clinical or surgical.

[Correlation between colonoscopy and histopathology of the colon in diverticular disease and the irritable colon syndrome]

In this study 29 patients were carriers of diverticular disease of the colons (DDC) and 29 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The patients were diagnosed by means of a directed anamnesis standardized by the radiologic study of the colons. The methodology included, radiologic study of the colons, endoscopic examination of the colon (colonoscopy with biopsy) and anatomic pathologic examination of the fragments obtained in the endoscopy. It was tried, by means of colonoscopy with biopsy and anatomic pathological examination, to demonstrate, classify and relate, in agreement with pre-established criterion, the degree of intensity of the inflammatory process in the colic mucosa. According to the results we may conclude that: 1) colonoscopy in the studied inflammatory diseases is important for diagnosis, evaluation of the inflammatory process, identification of associated illness and material obtention for the anatomic pathological examination; 2) there is always a chronic inflammatory process, in variable degrees, of the colic mucosa in DDC and in IBS; 3) colonoscopy with biopsy and the anatomic pathological examination are adequate to diagnose with precision the degree of intensity of the chronic inflammatory process of the colic mucosa and the presence of associated disease in DDC and in IBS.

[Crohn's disease of the duodenum associated with acute acalculous cholecystopathy]

Since the initial description of Crohn's disease (CD) located in the distal ileum, great number of cases has been observed, and we know that this disease can occur in any part of the digestive tube, from mouth to anus. The duodenal involvement is rare and no more than two hundred cases have been observed. A case of Crohn's disease located in the duodenum, with a severe acalculus cholecystitis, without intestinal involvement is presented. Radiological study showed a stenotic process in the first, second and third duodenal portion, later on confirmed by endoscopy. This was confirmed at surgery, when a gastrojejunostomy with truncal vagotomy, cholecystectomy, besides duodenum and liver biopsies were performed. The patient is asymptomatic four years after surgery. It is considered that bile reflux, resulting from involvement of Vater papilla by CD, is responsible factor of the biliary pathology.

[Hamartomatosis and adenomatosis of the colon]

The authors report five members of a family, having colonic polyposis, whose parents had adenomas that posteriorly degenerated to carcinoma, while sons had juvenile polyposis. Such aspects were considered as familial, evolutive and genetic. In contrast to adenomas, juvenile polyposis or hamartomas were always considered as benign lesions, with no susceptibility to malignancy. Nevertheless, these lesions must be considered as having degenerative potential at least similar to the originating tissue and, perhaps, even higher, once the sick tissue shows abnormal growth rate. These observations raise an important problem, namely, evaluating an eventual existence of malignancy among patients with juvenile polyposis which, if actually confirmed, could result in changes of its concepts and of its therapeutic approaches. The acknowledgement of the association between malignant potenial with genetics, could also result in better prevention for colonic cancer, once known its hereditary predisposition. The expectation of new cases among members of a same family should promote prevention before cancer appears. Thus, with this approach, the transcolonoscopic removal of polyps, mostly among families presenting high cancer potential, should avoid the sequence "adenoma-carcinoma".

[Treatment of bile duct diseases. Dyskinesias. Chronic inflammation]

The approach to the integrated diagnosis of the patient with biliary tract diseases is reviewed as a basis for the appropriate treatment, taking into account the functional disturbances and the organic elements including malformation, inflammation, infection, gallstone and neoplasia. The role of impaired emptying of the gallbladder is emphasized. This condition may give origin to inflammation of the gallbladder is emphasized. This condition may give origin to inflammation of the gallbladder which is caused by the irritative action of concentrated bile acids as a consequence of the stagnated bile in the gallbladder with poor emptying. Other consequences of bile stagnation in the gallbladder is gallstone formation and biliary infection by bacterias. Thus, increase of gallbladder emptying and of bile production are advised in the treatment of biliary diseases. Such two effects can be obtained by the diet using adequate amounts of vegetables, oils and eggs and by drugs such as choleretics. A new choleretic drug-the cicloxilic acid-was used in 102 patients, 48 out of them with gallstone and 54 without lithiasis. The following three actions of this drug were recorded: a decrease of gastrointestinal gaseousness; a decrease of abdominal discomfort and soreness, and a mild laxative effect with stool of less consistency.

[Effect of cicloxilic acid on biliary dynamics]

This work was developed in order to estimate, with objective methods, the pharmacodynamic activities of a new choleretic and antilithogenic drug, the cicloxilic acid. It was determined the changes of daily biliary flow and bile composition in 8 patients with biliary system surgical intervention and "T" (Kehr) tube inserted. The cicloxilic acid was given in the dose of 240 mg/day. The results showed, after treatment, an emphasized middle volume increase of the excreted bile, as well as a significant decrease of the biliary cholesterol, while pH and density maintained constants. The results corroborated the pharmacodynamic activities given to cicloxilic acid as a "true" choleretic to be utilized in clinic situations where it's wished a biliary flow increase and the possibility to avoid a cholesterol lithiasis or relieve consequent disturbances.