Bacteriological, cytological and histopathological evaluation of the reproductive tract of slaughtered cows / Avaliação bacteriológica, citológica e histopatológica do trato reprodutivo de vacas abatidas

Reproductive diseases, mainly endometritis, are important hurdles in cattle raising, In the current study we evaluated gross, bacteriological, cytological, and histological findings from selected sites of the genital from 23 slaughtered cows and tested whether there is an association between these findings and the probability of reaching a reliable diagnosis. The results from the examinations of macroscopic aspects of uterine secretions, the cytological, bacteriological, and histopathological findings were then correlated. There was no significant correlation (P>0.05) of the statistical data from different parts of the genital tract. Trueperella pyogenes and Escherichia coli were isolated from the vagina in 3/23 cases. In only 2/23 samples Enterococcus faecalis and a gram-negative, oxidase-positive bacteria were isolated from the cervix uteri. Only Staphylococcus epidermidis, in 1/23 case, was isolated from the uterus. Histopathological findings in uterus from samples of Groups II (moderate lesions) and III (severe lesions) did not translated in grossly visible changes. Samples from reproductive tracts with secretion in the vagina and cervix uteri had no detectable changes in the other parameters analyzed from this portion. Uterus with positive bacterial culture had evidence of ascendant inflammation judging by the high granulocyte count in the three analyzed portions. This study reinforces that vaginitis and cervicitis in the cow diagnosed only by clinical examination does not reflect the real status of the uterine health. For this reason, treatment of uterine disorders should be conducted based on reliable tests to determine the appropriate therapy for each situation.(AU)

Doenças reprodutivas causam altas perdas econômicas nos rebanhos bovinos, sendo a endometrite uma das alterações mais relevantes. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram avaliar a associação dos achados fisiopatológicos em exames macroscópicos, bacteriológicos, citológicos e histopatológicos nas porções do trato genital de 23 vacas abatidas, bem como avaliar a necessidade de associação destes exames para efetuar diagnóstico fidedigno. A avaliação macroscópica da secreção, os exames histopatológico, citológico e as bactérias identificadas foram correlacionados. Não houve associação (P>0,05) dos resultados nas diferentes porções do trato genital. Na vagina foram isoladas as bactérias Trueperella pyogenes e Escherichia coli. Na cérvix, em apenas 2/23 (8,6%) amostras isolou-se Enterococcus faecalis e gram negativo oxidase positiva. No útero houve isolamento apenas da bactéria Staphylococcus epidermidis. As amostras histopatológicas classificadas em grupo II e III não apresentaram alterações detectadas no exame macroscópico. As amostras com secreção não fisiológica na vagina e cérvix não apresentaram alterações nos outros exames na porção uterina. A amostra com cultura bacteriológica positiva no útero demonstrou uma infecção ascendente através da alta contagem de granulócitos nas três porções analisadas. O presente estudo reforça o conceito de que a vaginite e cervicite diagnosticadas pelo exame clinico na vaca não retratam o real status da saúde uterina e por esta razão, o tratamento do útero deve ser conduzido com critério, alicerçado nos exames complementares para definir a terapia adequada para cada situação.(AU)

Histopatology of the reproductive tract of Nellore pubertal heifers with genital ureaplasmosis

ABSTRACT In order to study and characterize the lesions in the reproductive tract of Nellore heifers naturally infected with Ureaplasma diversum and presenting granular vulvovaginitis syndrome (GVS), fragments of uterine tube, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva of 20 animals were evaluated. The macroscopic lesions of the vulvovaginal mucosa were classified in scores of "1" mild, until "4", severe inflammation and pustular or necrotic lesions. The histopathological evaluation was performed using scores of "1" to "4", according to the inflammatory alterations. The fragments with severe microscopic lesions (3 and 4) were from the uterine tubes and uterus, which showed leukocytes infiltration and destruction and/or necrosis of epithelium. Alterations in the lower reproductive tract fragments were mild, but characteristics of acute inflammatory processes. The histopathological findings of the reproductive tract of females naturally infected with Ureaplasma diversum are consistent with injuries that compromise the environment from the local where spermatozoa acquires ability to fertilize an oocyte until those where the oocyte is fertilized. Therefore, animals with GVS should be identified early in the herd, because, besides the reduction in the fertility rates caused by tissue damages, they can contribute to disseminate the microorganism. Key words: bovine, tissue evaluation, reproduction, Ureaplasma diversum.

Anogenital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in HIV-infected men and women in Salvador, Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections throughout the world. These sexually transmitted infections are a growing problem in people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the presence of these agents in extra genital sites, remains poorly studied in our country. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae anal and genital infection in people living with HIV/AIDS followed in a reference center in Salvador, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study, from June 2013 to June 2015. Proven HIV-infected people attending this reference center were invited. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained through interview with standardized form. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening was performed using qPCR (COBAS 4800® Roche). Results: The frequency of positive cases of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 12.3% in total, 9.2% cases amongst women and 17.1% amongst men. We found 14.0% of positive cases in anus and 3.1% in genital region in men, while 5.6% and 3.6%, in women, respectively. Among men, anal infection was associated with age <29 years (p = 0.033), report of anal intercourse (p = 0.029), pain during anal intercourse (p = 0.028). On the other hand, no association between genital infection and other variables were detected in bivariate analysis. Among women, we detected an association between Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection and age <29 years (p < 0.001), younger age at first sexual intercourse (p = 0.048), pregnancy (p < 0.001), viral load >50 copies/mL (p = 0.020), and no antiretroviral use (p = 0.008). Anal infection in women was associated with age <29 years old (p < 0.001) and pregnancy (p = 0.023), and was not associated with report of anal intercourse (p = 0.485). Conclusion: Missed opportunities for diagnosis in extra genital sites could impact on HIV transmission. The extra genital sites need to be considered to break the HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infections chain-of-transmission.

Simultaneous and rapid differential diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum based on a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to simultaneously detect and differentiate Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum in female patients suffering from genital complications by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Materials and Methods : Genital swabs were taken from 210 patients. They were transported to the laboratory in phosphate-buffered saline. For PCR, samples were analysed with genus-specific MyUu-R and MyUu-F primers. This primer set, which was originally designed in our laboratory, amplified a 465 bp fragment (M. genitalium) and a 559 bp fragment (U. urealyticum). Samples containing a band of the expected sizes for the Mycoplasma strains were subjected to digestion with a restriction endonuclease enzyme of TaqI and Cac8I. Results: Of the 210 samples, a total of 100 (47.6%) samples were found to be positive for Mycoplasmas (seven M. genitalium isolates, 3.3%; and 89 U. urealyticum isolates, 42.4%), and coinfections with both species were detected in four samples (1.9%). The PCR-RFLP results showed that M. genitalium and U. urealyticum are different by enzyme patterns. Conclusion: PCR-RFLP offers a rapid and easily applicable protocol to simultaneous detection and differentiation of M. genitalium and U. urealyticum from clinical samples when specific primers and restriction enzymes are used.

O uso de sabonetes íntimos femininos / The use of liquid soap for female intimate care

A utilização rotineira de sabonetes líquidos íntimos femininos é questionada por ginecologistas, mas ovacionada por boa parte das mulheres que passam a maior parte do dia fora de casa, em atividades profissionais e sociais intensas. A preocupação médica se justifica pela possibilidade de irritações e alergias loco-regionais uma vez que, quanto mais se altera o habitat da flora bacteriana fisiológica vulvar e vaginal, maiores serão os riscos de infecções e inflamações. Porém, os parcos artigos existentes não sugerem alterações do pH ou da flora vaginal com o uso destes produtos. Este artigo tem como objetivo rever as características químicas dos sabonetes higiênicos íntimos relacionando-os com a microbiota vulvo-vaginal, para que os ginecologistas possam avaliar os riscos e benefícios destes, uma vez que este é um assunto cada vez mais questionado nos consultórios ginecológicos.

The everyday use of intimate liquid soap is questioned by gynecologists, and well seen by many women that have an intense professional activity, running around all day. Medical worry for this everyday use is justified by local irritation and aggression that these substances may bring. This article reviews the chemical characteristics of the intimal vaginal "everyday use" soaps, relating these facts to the vulvo-vaginal microbiota. Thus, it gives to the gynecologist risks and benefits of this polemic issue, helping them to judge what is better for each patient.

[Agents associated with candida vulvovaginitis in women referred to health]

Genital tract infections are among the most common causes of patient referral to obstetric clinics and vulvovagianl candidiaisis is a common complication of women. Nearly 75% of adult women suffer genital yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. To determine the agents associated with candidal infection in patients referred to Qazvin public health centers in 2005. This was an experimental study in which a total of 128 patients with abnormal vaginal discharge, genitalia pruritus, and disparonia were examined using vaginal swab sampling and direct microscopy of smears for candida followed by culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The data such as age, method of contraception, erythema of vulva, itching, burning, and white vaginal discharge were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Chi2 and Fisher exact test. Our results indicated that 39 [30.5%] patients suffered candidal infection by direct smear method, however, 59 [46%] were positive by culture results. Among the vaginal symptoms, erythema of vulva, itching, burning and white vaginal discharge were shown to be significantly associated with vaginal candidiasis [p<0.05]. Candida albicans was the leading [83%] agent among the yeast isolates followed by other species of Candida with lower frequency. Diagnostically, the culture technique is more sensitive than direct smear for detection of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Satisfaction and tolerability of combination of lactoserum and lactic acid on the external genitalia in Thai women.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the user satisfaction and tolerability of a combination of lactoserum and lactic acid on the external genitalia of Thai women. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Women who were over 18 years of age who came to gynecologic outpatient unit at Rajavithi Hospital from November 2004 to January 2005, without clinical manifestations of vulvovaginal irritation or infection were included. The exclusion criteria were women who had allergy to a combination of lactoserum and lactic acid, or any of the components of this product. Clinical history was taken and gynaecological examination was performed. Those who met the eligible criteria were assigned to use one bottle of 150 ml combination of lactoserum and lactic acid on the external genitalia. Fisher's Exact test was used to compare the satisfaction between each group. RESULTS: There were 300 patients equally dividing in 3 groups. Average age was 42.2 +/- 9.8 years. The satisfaction percentage was more than 90 percent according to the evaluation criteria. There was no statistically significant difference between products. The tolerability were high percentage, only 3.3% of the patients used these products less than 7 days. 6 patients (2%) experienced discomfort resulting from these products and no statistically significant difference between products. CONCLUSION: The combination of lactoserum and lactic acid demonstrated the high percentage of satisfaction and tolerability. Only 2% of patients experienced discomfort without any serious discomfort effects.

Bacterial infection and endotoxin in female reproductive tract in rats: correlation with the developmental status of preimplantation embryos.

During mammalian preimplantation development, a substantial numbers of embryos are believed to be lost for reasons that are unclear. Using female rats, we investigated whether the developmental status of embryos is influenced by bacterial infection and endotoxin in the reproductive tract. From the vagina of cycling rats (n = 11), 21 bacterial isolates were identified; they were Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis; 38%), Escherichia coli (E. coli; 19%), Acinetobactor calcoaceticus (A. calcoaceticus; 14%), and coagulase negative staphylococcus (14%), Micrococcus sp. (5%), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis; 5%) and Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris; 5%). From the vagina of day 4 pregnant rats (n = 12), 26 isolates were identified; they were S. faecalis (23%), A. calcoaceticus (23%), E. coli (15%), Micrococcus sp. (15%), B. subtilis (8%), P. vulgaris (4%), Staphylococcus aureus (4%), beta-hemolytic streptococcus (4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4%). Gram negative bacteria found in the vagina of cycling and day 4 pregnant rats were 38% and 46%, respectively. In both, bacterial load was 10(3)-10(5) colony forming units and there was no association with the abnormality of the recovered embryos. However, in two day 4 pregnant animals, pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococcus) were isolated and embryos recovered from them were degenerated and deformed. The vagina of day 9 pregnant animals (n = 7) were, however, sterile. Consistently, in all animals, the upper reproductive tract (uterus and oviduct) was devoid of any bacteria and no anaerobic bacteria were isolated from any part of the tract. The levels of endotoxin in the vagina of cycling and day 4 pregnant rats were 1.35 +/- 0.1 and 1.17 +/- 0.1 endotoxin units (EU), respectively. It was undetectable in the oviduct and uterus of all animals (n = 5) except one which showed high levels of endotoxin in uterus (4.5 EU) and oviduct (2.2 EU) and the animal also produced degenerated and deformed embryos. These results indicate that common bacterial flora of vagina may not affect embryo development and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina and/or endotoxin in reproductive tract could be detrimental to viability of gametes and preimplantation embryos in rats.

Histopatología de la placenta en la rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino: relación con la microbiología aislada y con los resultados maternoneonatales / Placental pathology in premature rupture of membranes: its relationship with microbiologícal findings, maternal and neonatal outcome

Background: There is a close relationship between premature membrane rupture, bacterial infections and premature labor. Aim: To study placental histological changes in patients with preterm membrane rupture. To establish a relationship between pathological findings, amniotic fluid and lower genital tract microbiological studies, maternal and neonatal outcome. Patients and methods: Patients with premature membrane rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation participated in this study. On admission, patients had no evidence of clinical chorioamnionitis, labor or fetal distress. Microbiological studies of the amniotic fluid and cervicovaginal secretions were performed and the placenta was sent for pathological study. Results: Seventy one placentas were available for the study. The main pathological findings were acute chorioamnionitis in 58 percent, trophoblastic proliferation in 38 percent, funisitis in 37 percent, villitis in 16 percent, fetal vascular lesions in 14 percent and no findings in 17 percent. Microbial invasion of amniotic cavity was present in 89 percent of acute chorioamnionitis. Sixty one percent of trophoblastic proliferation and all fetal vascular lesions were associated with negative amniotic and cervical cultures. Newborns with acute funisitis had a higher frequency of neonatal death (29 percent), severe asphyxia (42 percent) and neonatal infections (29 percent). Conclusions: Acute chorioamnionitis is the most frequent finding in patients with preterm membrane rupture and microbial invasion of amniotic cavity. In the absence of intra amniotic infection, proliferation of the trophoblast and the presence of fetal vascular lesions predominate. Acute funisitis is strongly associated with adverse fetal outcome

Detection of mycoplasma hominis and ureaplasma urealyticum in women sexually active or not

Los micoplasmas genitales juegan un papel importante en las infecciones del aparato genitourinario, por lo que su estudio es de gran importancia. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue aislar Mycoplasma hominis y Ureaplasma urealyticum a partir de exudados vaginales, faríngeos y de orina de personas con y sin actividad sexual. Se tomaron muestras de mujeres sin infección del aparato genitourinario (testigos) y con infección (problemas) y fueron depositadas en un mililitro de caldo E con arginina o urea y a partir de ellas se realizaron diluciones decimales (10-1 a 10-10) y se incubaron a 37ºC hasta vire del indicador. La identificación de especie se realizó con la técnica de polimerización en cadena utilizando oligonucleótidos específicos para M. hominis que corresponden al gen del RNAr 16S y oligonucleótidos específicos para U. urealyticum que corresponden al gen estructural de la ureasa, la técnica fue realizada de acuerdo con Blanchard et al. No hubo diferencias significativas (X² P > .05), en los porcentajes de aislamiento de estos microorganismos a partir de exudados vaginales, pero sí hubo a partir de muestras de orina. Estos micoplasmas fueron aislados en altos porcentajes de mujeres adolescentes y fueron recuperados hasta la quinta dilución decimal. A partir de exudados faríngeos sólo fueron aislados de mujeres con actividad sexual

Colonizaçåo vaginal pelo Enterococcus faecalis: prevalência e manifestaçöes citológicas e microbiológicas / Vaginal colonizatin by Enterococcus faecalis: prelance and cytologic and microbiologic findings

Os autores estudaram corrimentos vaginais de 113 pacientes (idade entre 2-52 anos), para investigar a prevalência de Enterococcus faecalis e sua associaçåo com achados citológicos. Cinco faixas etárias foram estudadas: 0-12 anos, 13-18 anos, 19-30 anos, 31-40 anos e maior de 40 anos. A prevalência de Enterococcus faecalis foi maior em pacientes com 0-12 anos (22,8 por cento), 19-30 (40,9 por cento) e 31-40 (22,8 por cento) e menor nas faixas de 13-18 anos (9,0 por cento) e maior de 40 anos (4,5 por cento). A presença de Enterococcus faecalis nas secreçöes vaginais analisadas nåo foi associada com aumento de leucócitos polimorfonucleares, de histiócitos, ou de células epiteliais descamativas. Por outro lado, a colonizaçåo de Sthaphylococcus aureus e de Staphylococcus epidermidis foi menor na presença de Enterococcus faecalis, em pacientes com 0-12 anos (p<0,05) e 19-30 (p<0,05 para a colonizaçåo pelo Staphylococcus aureus e p<0,01 para a colonizaçåo pelo Staphylococcus epidermidis). O mesmo ocorreu com a colonizaçåo de Escherichia coli, em mulheres com 19-30 anos (p<0,05). Os significados destes achados såo discutidos

Colpocitología y gestación / Colpocytology and pregnancy

En este estudio prospectivo a 460 mujeres gestantes asistentes al programa de control prenatal se les practicó colpocitología con el propósito de identificar infecciones cervicovaginales, neoplasia intraepitelial cervica (NIC) y factores de riesgo para cáncer cervicouterino. En 301 mujeres (65.4 por ciento) se diagnosticó proceso infeccioso por patógenos diversos; 3 casos por clamida, 4 por papiloma virus y dos pacientes con NIC grados I y II. En 40 pacientes (8.6 por ciento) se identificaron más de dos factores de riesgo para desarrollar lesiones precursoras o cáncer de cérvix. El conocimiento de la prevalencia de NIC e infección cervico vaginal en la gestación, debe ser tomado en consideración para la prevención del producto, la pareja y el riesgo potencial de la mujer para desarrollar cáncer cervicouterino

Estudo microbiológico e citológico do trato genital de éguas / Microbiological and cytological study of the genital tract of mares

Estudou-se a flora microbiana de 810 amostras de "swabs" colhidos do trato genital de éguas de diferentes raças, com idades entre seis e 13 anos, durante o período de estro, e a citologia de esfregaços de secreçäo endometrial e a sensibilidade dos microrganismos isolados, frente a diferentes drogas antimicrobianas. Dos cultivos bacterianos realizados, 445 (54,9 por cento) foram isolados um ou mais microrganismos. Os mais frequente foram: Streptococcus sp (S. zooepidemicus 24,9 por cento, S. equisimilis 6,1 por cento, S. faecalis 5,6 por cento e S. equi 4,0 por cento), Staphylococcus sp (S. aureus 13,9 por cento, S. epidermidis 6,5 por cento e S. intermedius 3,1 por cento), Escherichia coli (E. coli näo hemolítica 8,5 por cento e E. coli beta hemolítica 3,8 por cento), Rhodococcus equi 7,4 por cento, Klebsiella pneumoniae 3,8 por cento, Candida albicans 3,4 por cento, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 2,5 por cento, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2,2 por cento, Proteus mirabilis 1,8 por cento, Alcaligines faecalis 1,6 por cento, Nocardia asteroides 0,7 por cento e Pasteurella hemolytica 0,4 por cento. A associaçäo entre os resultados obtidos nos exames microbiológicos e citológicos revelou x2 = 280,128 (P<0,001) e coeficiente de associaçäo significativa Psi = 0,59, concluindo-se que existe associaçäo significativa entre os dois tipos de exames. Segundo os antibiogramas, as drogas que melhor agiram sobre a maioria dos microrganismos foram cloranfenicol e gentamicina

Microbiological screening of three different contraceptive schedules commonly employed for birth control in Egypt for potential pathogenicity on the microflora of the lower female genital tract

Comparative screening of three different schedules of birth control for adverse effect favoring microbial infection of the lower female genital tract was conducted in equal-sized [N = 30] and age matching groups of married multipara adopting oral intake of contraceptive pills [Gr.2], long-acting injectable MPA [Gr.3] and I.U.D. Wearers [Gr.4]. The microbiological results in each of these three instances were expressed in terms of the percentage incidence frequencies of positive [infected] cervical, endocervical and vaginal smears assessed with reference to parallel well fitting [Gr.1] normal control multipara of the non-contractive users category. The outcome of this investigation revealed the occurrence of the most serious deleterious effect among [Gr.4] I.U.D. wearers reflected by 10% frequency rate for positive actinomycetes infection among cervical-endocervical smears compared to notable absence of such infection in [Gr.1] normal controls. In the meantime, the frequency rates of positive vaginal smears were markedly enhanced by variable magnitudes and probability levels of statistical significance for almost all varieties of microflora. On the other extreme, long acting injectable MPA contraceptive in [Gr.4] multipara proved superior on account of its freedom from predisposition to enhanced microbial infection with virtually all types of microorganisms with the notable exception of bacteroides [20%]. The drawbacks ascribed to oral intake of contraceptive pills involved markedly increased susceptibility to vaginal infection by aerobic micrococci [80%], anaerobic diphtheroids [30%] and Candida albicans [23.3%]

Incidencia de clamidias y micoplasma en diversas patologias del tracto genital femenino / Incidence of chlamydia in several pathologies of the female in genital tract

El objetivo de este estudio fue la investigación de la incidencia de micoplasmas y clamidias en diferentes patologías del tracto genital femenino. En un período de 6 años (enero 1985 a diciembre de a990) se evaluaron 370 pacientes y 50 controles (C) asintométicos. Las mismas correspondieron tanto a consulta privada como hospitalaria; las edades estuvieron comprendidas entre 19 y 45 años, con una meddia de 26,4 para el primer grupo. Para el segundo grupo (C) las edades estuvieron entre 18 y 45 años, con una media de 25,8. Las muestras tomadas fueron; hisopados endocervicales para los casos de: cervicitis (40), displasia (40), esterilidad (200), leucorrea (80) y grupo control (50). En los casos de endometritis (12) se tomó además biopsia de endometrio. Para la investigación de microplasmas (M) se obtuvo adicionalmente, hisopado vaginal en todas las pacientes. El diagnóstico Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) se realizó tanto por un método inmunoenzimático (Chlamydiazyme), como mediante la técnica de inmunofluorescencia directa (Micro Trak), mientras que los micoplasmas, incluyendo el género Ureaplasma, se hizo por cultivos en los medios recomendados por el CDC de Atlanta. Los resultados demostraron los siguientes porcentajes de positividad en los especímenes evaluados. Dichos valores nos demuestran la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial de ambos microorganismos, pues la patologia ocasionada por ellos puede ser causada tambien por otros agentes de transmisión sexual, tanto bacterias como virales

Avaliaçäo da participaçäo de microrganismos isolados de secreçöes genitais femininas nos processos inflamatórios / Evaluation of microrganisms isolated from female genital secreations in inflammatory processes

Foram estudadas 100 secreçöes genitais femininas pelo exame citológico (coloraçäo de Papanicolaou) e pela cultura, na tentativa de avaliarmos a freqüência de microrganismos encontrados nesses materiais e sua associaçäo com processos inflamatórios, e, com esse dado, estabelecermos seu papel na etiologia das infeçöes genitais. A maioria das secreçöes mostrou processo inflamatório (84%), sendo que, em 36 exames, o agente etiológico foi definido. Todos os casos com Candida e com Streptococcus beta hemolítico do Grupo B estavam associados a processo inflamatório. Para G. vaginalis verificamos comportamento diverso, encontrando-a tanto em exsudatos inflamatórios como naqueles sem inflamaçäo. Entretanto, sua freqüência foi maior nos casos com processo inflamatório (85%). O papel de Lactobacillus na etiologia das infecçöes genitais foi também analisado e verificamos que, quando isolado em cultura pura, na maioria das vezes havia processo inflamatório, mas só pudemos lhe atribuir um papel como agente etiológico de colpite em 3 casos. Encontramos, também, diversas associaçöes de possíveis agentes infecciosos no mesmo espécime, ficando, nesses casos, difícil a interpretaçäo, mesmo constatada a reaçäo inflamatória

Evaluation of biotin-streptavidin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of genital herpes simplex virus infection.

A biotin-streptavidin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (B-SA ELISA) was evaluated for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clinical specimens which were cervico-vaginal swabs from 205 asymptomatic women and swabs from the genital lesions of 163 suspected patients. All specimens were also subjected to a conventional virus isolation in cell culture. A blocking B-SA ELISA had 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity compared with viral isolation from patients, but had only 40% sensitivity using specimens from asymptomatics. The conventional B-SA ELISA might also be used; it gave results corresponding to B-SA ELISA blocking test except for a single specimen which was considered a false positive.