Safety and efficacy of a new imidazole fungicide, Sertaconazole, in the treatment of fungal vulvo-vaginitis: a comparative study using Fluconazole and Clotrimazole.

Background: Sertaconazole is a new imidazole fungicide introduced for vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. It has an azole group with benzothiophene that inhibits biosynthesis of ergosterol and brings about a massive leak of cytoplasm with consequent fungal cell death. Objective: Assess the safety and efficacy of Sertaconazole in the treatment of fungal vulvo-vaginitis for comparison with Fluconazole and Clotrimazole. Subjects and methods: One-hundred eighty-eight outpatients with fungal vulvo-vaginitis were recruited at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand between August 31, 2004 and January 30, 2006. The patients were given Sertaconazole, Fluconazole, or Clotrimazole, and received vaginal swab and culture for fungus at seventh and 28th days after treatment. Results: Out of 188 cases, 177 cases were followed-up completely. Sertaconazole group included 66 cases where 35 cure, 20 fail, and 7 recurrent cases. Fluconazole group included 60 cases and had 37 cure, six fail, and 20 recurrence cases. Clotrimazole group included 55 cases and had 32 cure, nine fail and 11 recurrent cases. There were risk factors of fungal vulvo-vaginitis, including frequent micturition and small toilet shower flushing. Conclusion: Sertaconazole had similar effectiveness and less side-effect as compared with Fluconazole and Clotrimazole. It appeared to work well with lowest recurrence.

Operational Research for STD Service: Improvement of Treatment and Care at Siriraj Hospital.

Objective: Operational research for sexually transmitted disease (STD) service was conducted to: 1) create the potential for systematic care: to assess and monitor for HIV and STI; 2) create the linkage among OB-GYN, Medicine and Pediatric Departments of Siriraj Hospital; 3) cervical cancer screening in HIV-infected females by Pap smear once a year; 4) create a system file for collection of STI data of the unit; 5) promote HIV counseling, disclosure and keep records; 6) promote condom usage and reduce risk behaviors of HIV-infected females continuously. Methods: HIV positive females attending STD Clinic, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Siriraj Hospital were enrolled in to the study during March 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006. The procedures include: 1) provide STI testing/treatment, risk-reduction and HIV disclosure counseling, provision of free condoms, and cervical cancer screening at least once a year; 2) develop standardized procedures and data collection tools and strengthen data management; 3) refer women from different departments to the STI clinic for screening; 4) provide training in risk reduction counseling and HIV disclosure counseling. Results: Most of the primary visits were check-up. Chlamydial infection was 2.1% (year 2005). GC infection was 0.5% (year 2005). Abnormal Pap was significantly related to low CD4 count. L-SIL = 9.3%; H-SIL = 26.8%. Among the participants, 10.4% had CD4 count <200. Conclusion: Early detection and treatment of STI is 30%. Early detection of cervical cancer and treatment were increased. Access to ARV for HIV-1 PMTCT was also increased. Cross sectional analysis will show more realistic data since the follow up visit may be a group who came to receive condoms which could be missed as high condom use rate. KPI of success in good clinical tracer include increased condom use and CD4 count, decrease STI, opportunistic infection, and viral load.

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in Thai pregnant women with preterm labor in Siriraj hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in pregnant women with preterm labor in Siriraj hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 158 pregnant women with suspected preterm labor was performed between January and July 2005. The subjects enrolled in the present study were between 28+0 and 36+6 menstrual weeks. BV blue test was performed on the vaginal fluid collected from lower one- third of vagina. RESULTS: The prevalence of BV in women in the preterm labor group was 25.8% compared to 14.1% in the preterm contraction group (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Compared with preterm contractions a higher prevalence of BV was found in the pregnant women with preterm labor. Given that a quarter of pregnant women with preterm labor tested positive for BV, it might be appropriate to perform this test in the triage setting.

Associated risk factors of human papillomavirus cervical infection among human immunodificiency virus-seropositive women at Siriraj Hospital.

This cross sectional type sub-study was established to assess the potential risk factor associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infection in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women. The series of 178 HIV-seropositive women was enrolled in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Siriraj Hospital. Demographic, obstetrical and behavioral risk factors were interviewed. Laboratory results were recorded. Clinical gynecologic examination was performed including Pap smear. The patients were assigned into two groups, HPV and non-HPV group. The comparison of the potential risk factors between the groups was calculated statistically. It was found that the prevalence of HPV infection was reported in 17 patients (9.6%). HIV-seropositive women, who were infected with HPV, had a significantly more probability to have a single partner in their lifetime than those who were not infected. It could be that HPV cervical infection and HIV-seropositive women share common potential risk factors, as well as, the recognition of sexual intercourse as the important route of HPV transmission.

Laparoscopic cystectomy of an ovarian mucinous cystadenoma in a 12-year-old girl: a possible role of operative laparoscopy for a huge benign adnexal mass.

The case of an obese 12-year-old girl with a huge and mobile pelvic cystic mass is presented. After ultrasonography and determination of tumor markers, a right huge benign adnexal mass was suspected. In order to avoid exploratory laparotomy because severe pain and a large operative scar were expected, an operative laparoscopy was performed. No intra-operative and post-operative complications were observed. With the uneventful recovery, only a one-day hospital stay was needed. Neither residual nor recurrent evidence was suspected after 2-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-months follow-up. With proper case selection, good pre-operative counseling and the operation performed under familiarity and good training in laparoscopy, laparoscopic management of a huge suspected benign adnexal mass is technically feasible. The benefits are reducing hospital stay, lowering morbidity, especially less pain and cosmetic acceptance of the operative scar.

Rapid human immunodeficiency virus diagnostic test during the intrapartum period in pregnant women who did not receive antenatal care.

The main barrier to implementation of antiretroviral drugs in HIV-infected pregnant women is the lack of antenatal care (ANC). From April 1999 to December 2001, the prevalence of pregnant women not receiving ANC and coming for delivery in Siriraj Hospital was 7.3 per cent (2,152/29,484) and the prevalence of HIV infection among this group was 5.7 per cent, substantially higher than that of 27,332 pregnant women receiving ANC in Siriraj Hospital (2.2%). Besides developing interventions to increase use of ANC, the test for diagnosis of HIV infection during the intrapartum period should be rapid, inexpensive, highly sensitive and specific, easy to perform and results should be easy to interpret. The Determine Rapid Test for detection of HIV fulfills these criteria with 100 per cent sensitivity, 99.85 per cent specificity, 97.54 per cent positive predictive value, 100 per cent negative predictive value and 0.14 per cent false positive. To improve prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), the authors believe that this uncomplicated rapid HIV testing should be used during the intrapartum period to Thai-pregnant women who did not receive antenatal care and antiretroviral drugs might be offered as soon as possible for those testing HIV-positive and for their baby as chemoprophylaxis.