Cervicitis necrótica por co-infección de virus herpes simplex 2 y Mycoplasma genitalium / Necrotic cervicitis for co-infection of herpes simplex virus 2 and Mycoplasma genitalium

Resumen Las cervicitis es una condición frecuente causada principalmente por agentes de transmisión sexual. Su presentación clínica varía desde cuadros asintomáticos hasta procesos inflamatorios extensos, que incluso asemejan un tumor maligno. Presentamos el caso de una adolescente que presentó úlceras genitales, síntomas generales y cérvix necrótico con aspecto tumoral. Los estudios de laboratorio confirmaron una co-infección por virus herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) y Mycoplasma genitalium. El estudio histológico descartó una neo- plasia. Evolucionó favorablemente al tratamiento antimicrobiano, con recuperación progresiva del aspecto del cérvix. La cervicitis en raras ocasiones se presenta con compromiso necrótico. La co-infección por HSV-2 y M. genitalium, en este caso, pudo ser el determinante del daño cervical y la necrosis. Una evaluación acuciosa y estudio con exámenes diagnósticos de alta sensibilidad y especificidad permitieron hacer un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado.

Abstract Cervicitis is a frequent condition caused mainly by sexually trans- mitted agents. The clinical spectrum varies from absence of symptoms to extensive inflammatory processes that may simulate a malignant neoplasm. We present a clinical case of an adolescent with genital ulcers and systemic disease. Speculoscopy revealed a tumoral-looking cervix. Laboratory studies confirm infection with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and Mycoplasma genitalium, together with a histological study that ruled out neoplasia. It progresses favorably to antimicrobial treatment, with recovery of the appearance of the cervix. Cervicitis rarely presents with necrotic involvement. Co-infection with HSV-2 and M. genitalium infection may have been the determinant of cervical damage and the necrotic appearance. A thorough evaluation and study with highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests allowed an adequate diagnosis and treatment.

Correlation of Mycoplasma genitalium infection with semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity in male infertility patients / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To analyze the relationship of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection with routine semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity in male infertility patients.@*METHODS@#Totally, 114 semen samples, 34 MG-positive and 80 MG-negative, were collected from male infertility patients and subjected to routine semen analysis with the computer-assisted sperm analysis system, Papanicolaou staining for observation of sperm morphology, and sperm chromatin diffusion (SCD) test for detection of sperm DNA integrity. Semen parameters and DNA integrity were compared between the MG-positive and MG-negative groups with SPSS 21.0 statistical software and the relationship between the semen parameters and DNA integrity analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.@*RESULTS@#The MG-positive samples, compared with the MG-negative ones, showed significantly decreased semen volume (［2.87 ± 0.37］ vs ［3.86 ± 0.43］ ml, P 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#MG infection may be an important factor affecting sperm quality in male infertility patients. Active prevention and treatment of MG infection can help prevent male infertility.

Detection of hemoplasma and Bartonella species and co-infection with retroviruses in cats subjected to a spaying/neutering program in Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil / Detecção de hemoplasmas e Bartonella sp. e co-infecção com retrovírus em gatos submetidos a um programa de castração/esterilização em Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil

Hemotrophic mycoplasmas and Bartonella species are important pathogens that circulate between cats and invertebrate hosts, occasionally causing diseases in humans. Nevertheless, there are few reports on occurrences of these agents in cats in Brazil. The present study aimed to detect the presence of hemoplasma and Bartonella DNA by means of PCR and sequencing. FIV antigens and anti-FeLV antibodies, were studied by using a commercial kit on blood and serum samples, respectively, among 46 cats that were sampled during a spaying/neutering campaign conducted in Jaboticabal, SP. Three (6.5%) cats were positive for hemoplasmas: two (4.3%) for 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' and one (2.2%) for both M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus M. turicensis'. One of the two 'Candidatus M. haemominutum'-infected cats was also positive for FeLV antigens and showed antibodies for FIV. Two cats (4.3%) were positive for B. henselae. One of them was also positive for FeLV antigens. Eight cats (17.4%) were positive for FeLV, and just one (2.2%) showed anti-FIV antibodies. Bartonella species and hemoplasmas associated with infection due to retroviruses can circulate among apparently healthy cats.

Micoplasmas hemotróficos e espécies de Bartonella são importantes patógenos que circulam entre gatos e hospedeiros invertebrados, causando ocasionalmente doenças no homem. Apesar disto, poucos são os estudos acerca da ocorrência destes agentes entre gatos no Brasil. O presente estudo objetivou detectar o DNA de hemoplasmas e Bartonella sp. pela PCR e sequenciamento. Antígeno de FIV e anticorpos anti-FeLV foram estudados utilizando um "kit" comercial, em amostras de sangue e soro, respectivamente, de 46 gatos amostrados em uma campanha de castração em Jaboticabal, SP. Três gatos (6,5%) foram positivos para hemoplasmas: dois (4,3%) para 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' e um (2,2%) para M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus M. turicensis'. Um dos gatos positivos para 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' mostrou-se também positivo na detecção de antígeno de FeLV e de anticorpos para FIV. Dois (4,3%) gatos mostraram-se positivos para B. henselae, sendo que um deles também se mostrou positivo para antígeno de FeLV. Oito gatos (17,4%) foram positivos para FeLV, e apenas um gato mostrou anticorpos anti-FIV. Bartonella sp. e hemoplasmas associados à infecção por retrovírus podem circular entre gatos aparentemente saudáveis.

Detección de infección por Mycoplasma en las gestantes con riesgo de parto pretérmino / Detection of Mycoplasma infection in pregnants with a risk of preterm delivery

Introducción: el parto pretérmino es el que se produce antes de las 37 sem de gestación; la sepsis vaginal constituye uno de los factores de riesgo predisponentes para este, de ahí que continúe siendo motivo de preocupación para obstetras y neonatólogos. Objetivo: evaluar el uso del Test Mycoplasma System Plus en gestaciones con riesgo de parto pretérmino, así como algunos de sus aspectos clínicos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de enero a septiembre de 2010 en el Hospital Profesor Eusebio Hernández, la muestra estuvo constituida por 88 pacientes ingresadas en el servicio de cuidados especiales perinatales con gestaciones menores de 34 sem a las que se les realizó el test y tuvieron el parto en este centro, los datos fueron recogidos de las historias clínicas e informes de microbiología agrupados en un formulario y procesados mediante estadísticas descriptivas y de distribución de frecuencia. Resultados: el 67 porciento, de las pacientes presentaban infección moderada o severa a ureaplasma mientras que los exudados vaginales simples fueron negativos en un 71,5 porciento, el antimicrobiano más utilizado fue la eritromicina. Conclusiones: la mayoría de las pacientes después del tratamiento adecuado llegaron al término de la gestación, así como presentaban exudados vaginales simple negativos, pero con un alto índice de infección a ureaplasma urealyticum

Introduction: the pre-term labor is produced before the 37 weeks of pregnancy; the vaginal sepsis is one of the predisposing risk factors to it, being a motive of worry for obstetricians and neonatologists. Objective: to assess the use of Test Mycoplasma System Plus in pregnancies with risk of pre-term labor, as well as of its clinical features. Methods: a descriptive and retrospective study was conducted from January to September, 2010 in the Profesor Eusebio Hernández Hospital; sample included 88 patients admitted in the perinatal special care unit with pregnancies under 34 weeks and performing of test who gave birth in this institution; data were collected from the medical records and microbiology reports grouped in a form and processed by descriptive statistics and of frequency distribution. Results: the 6l7 percent of patients had a moderate or severe infection due to ureaplasma where as the vaginal exudates were negatives in the 71.5 percent, the more used antimicrobial agents was the erythromycin. Conclusions: most of patients after an appropriate treatment arrive to a term pregnancy and also had negative simple vaginal exudate but with a high rate of infection due to ureaplasma urelyticum

The Prevalence of Vaginal Microorganisms in Pregnant Women with Preterm Labor and Preterm Birth

BACKGROUND: To investigate the risk factors for vaginal infections and antimicrobial susceptibilities of vaginal microorganisms among women who experienced preterm birth (PTB), we compared the prevalence of vaginal microorganisms between women who experienced preterm labor (PTL) without preterm delivery and spontaneous PTB. METHODS: Vaginal swab specimens from 126 pregnant women who experienced PTL were tested for group B streptococcus (GBS), Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus (HSV) I and II, and bacterial vaginosis. A control group of 91 pregnant women was tested for GBS. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed for GBS, M. hominis, and U. urealyticum. RESULTS: The overall detection rates for each microorganism were: U. urealyticum, 62.7%; M. hominis, 12.7%; GBS, 7.9%; C. trachomatis, 2.4%; and HSV type II, 0.8%. The colonization rate of GBS in control group was 17.6%. The prevalence of GBS, M. hominis, and U. urealyticum in PTL without preterm delivery and spontaneous PTB were 3.8% and 8.7% (relative risk [RR], 2.26), 3.8% and 17.3% (RR, 4.52), and 53.8% and 60.9% (RR, 1.13), respectively, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups. The detection rate of M. hominis by PCR was higher than that by culture method (11.1% vs. 4.0%, P=0.010). The detection rates of U. urealyticum by PCR and culture method were 16.7% and 57.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of GBS, M. hominis, and U. urealyticum between the spontaneous PTB and PTL without preterm delivery groups.

Hepatitis colestásica por Mycoplasma pneumoniae sin compromiso pulmonar: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Cholestatic hepatitis due to mycoplasma pneumoniae without lung involvement: case report and review

El compromiso hepático es una rara manifestación de la infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Casos de hepatitis colestásica sin compromiso pulmonar han sido descritos en niños con infección por M. pneumoniae, pero en adultos sólo unos pocos casos han sido reportados. En este artículo, presentamos el caso de un hombre de 21 años que consultó por un cuadro de fiebre, ictericia y dolor epigástrico asociado con alteración de los exámenes de laboratorio hepático. Los estudios serológicos de M. penumoniae fueron positivos para IgM e IgG. Los síntomas y exámenes de laboratorio mejoraron completamente luego del tratamiento con claritromicina y ácido ursodeoxicólico.

Liver dysfunction is an unusual manifestation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Cases of cholestatic hepatitis without pulmonary involvement have been described in children with M. pneumoniae infection,but only a few cases have been reported in adults. In this article, we report the case of a 21-year-old man who presented fever, jaundice and epigastric pain associated with altered liver function tests. Serological tests for M. pneumoniae were positive for IgG and IgM. Clinical symptoms and laboratory tests resolved completely after treatment with clarithromycin and ursodeoxicolic acid. A review of reported cases of liver involvement in M. pneumoniae infection is presented.

Rare zoonosis (hemotrophic mycoplasma infection) in a newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patient followed by a Nocardia asteroides pneumonia

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is per se a disease characterized by suppressed immune response and thus susceptibility to various opportunistic infections. We describe the case of a 21-yearold woman who developed a rare zoonosis - hemotrophic mycoplasma infection in the initial stage of SLE, complicated with Nocardia asteroides pneumonia afterwards. Nocardia infection coincided with initiation of glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide therapy for SLE. After the treatment she recovered completely. To our knowledge the only case of human hemoplasmosis (then referred to as eperythrozoonosis) in medical literature was the one described by a group of Croatian authors 22 years ago. No cases of a hemotrophic mycoplasma infection in a SLE patient have been published up to now.

Thrombocytosis in childhood.

Thrombocytosis is a frequent finding in hemograms obtained from hospitalized and ambulatory children due to the widespread use of automated blood cell counters. Pediatricians are commonly puzzled in cases of thrombocytosis to determine the underlying cause and the need for therapy. The purpose of this review is to assist the general pediatrician into dealing with this common hematological finding in every day clinical practice. Fortunately, primary thrombocytosis or essential thrombocythemia, a clonal disease, is exceedingly rare in childhood, but may be associated with thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. On the other hand, secondary or reactive thrombocytosis is very common and is due to a variety of conditions, such as acute and chronic infections, iron deficiency, bleeding, hemolytic anemias, collagen vascular diseases, malignancies, drugs and splenectomy. Treatment of reactive thrombocytosis should be directed to the underlying problem alone. Administration of platelet aggregation inhibitors such as aspirin is unwarranted. Consultation is necessary only for the rare child with extreme thrombocytosis who has clinical and/or laboratory criteria consistent with essential thrombocythemia, or in whom a hemorrhagic or thrombotic complication has developed.

Colonization of mycoplasma in the upper respiratory tract of AIDS patients with pulmonary symptoms in Chennai, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Mycoplasmas have been implicated in causing minor to severe respiratory infections in man. Mycoplasmas are considered to act as cofactors in patients with AIDS. A preliminary study was conducted to isolate mycoplasmas from sputum specimens of AIDS patients and non-HIV patients with underlying pulmonary symptoms and signs. METHODS: A total of 130 sputum samples (100 from AIDS patients and 30 from non-HIV) were cultured on standard pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO) glucose agar up to 3 wk. The plates were examined for the presence of fried-egg colonies characteristic of Mycoplasma. Subsequently the plates were stained using Diene's stain. Sputum specimens from the AIDS patients were also screened for other bacterial pathogens. RESULTS: Mycoplasmas were detected from 36 (36%) of the AIDS patients and only 5 (16.6%) of the non HIV control individuals with underlying pulmonary symptoms. Data on the detection rates of other microorganisms from the AIDS cases were also analysed. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This preliminary study provided supportive evidence that mycoplasma colonized in upper respiratory tract of individuals with AIDS to a larger extent than that of the non HIV subjects with pulmonary symptoms. Further studies need to be done to characterize mycoplasma isolates to species level.

Infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en varones y su asociación con las alteraciones ginecológicas de su compañera sexual / Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men and its association to gynecologic alterations of his sexual mate

Objective.To determinate the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in male partners of infertile couples who attend to the infertility clinic at Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia, as well as to compare the clinical data and lifestyle between C. trachomatis-inifected and uninfected men to establish a possible association with gynecological damage in their sexual female partners. Methods. An open prospective study was performed in infertile couples, whose follow up was carried out at Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia between June 2000 and April 2001. Urethral and cervical swabs were obtained from each couple and the specimens were subjected to a C. trachomatis-specific liquid-phase hibridization test (PACE-2) and routine microbiological analysis. Semen analysis were also included. A relative risk (RR) test was done to analyze variables and square chi test was used to analize clinical and gynecological data from female partners and data from semen examination. Statistical differences were considered as significant when the p value was below 0.05. Results. C. trachomatis active infection was found in 14 out of 384 urethral swabs (3.6%). No significant alterations were observed in semen samples of C. trachomatis-infected men, as compared to non-infected individuals. Microbiological analyses of semen showed a significant isolation o/Mycoplasma sp (RR = 5.87, IC95% 1.4-24.7). Eight out of fourteen female partners of C. trachomatis-infected men were also infected with C. trachomatis (RR= 10.57, IC95% 5.67-19.7), Candida albicans was other pathogen isolated from 8/14 of those women (RR = 1.89, IC95% 1.17-3.05). Gynecological and obstetrical associations found among female partners of C. trachomatis-infected men were as follows: tubal adhesions in 10/14 (RR = 1.54, IC95% 1.08-2.18), salpingitis in 2/14 (RR = 2.2), history of ectopic pregnancies in 11/14 (RR =2.94, IC95% 1.01-8.53) and abnormal pregnancy loss in 9/14 (RR = 1.5). Conclusion. A low prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was observed among male partners of infertile couples as compared with other reports, but this discrepancy could be attributable to the specimen collection and diagnostic assay used. Otherwise, this data suggests that a chronic pathogen's antigenic stimulation may result in an increased formation of tubal adhesions and/or in ectopic pregnancies among female partners of C. trachomatis-infected individuals. Thus, preventive and control measures must be introduced into men's healthcare services, through laboratory and clinical examination, since these subjects are the main reservoirs of C trachomatis.

Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia de infección por Chlamydia trachomatis y comparar la información clínica y el estilo de vida de varones con y sin infección por este patógeno, así como su asociación con las alteraciones ginecológicas que presenta su compañera sexual en un grupo de parejas que asisten a la Clínica de Infertilidad del Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia de la Ciudad de México. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio abierto, longitudinal y prospectivo en un grupo de parejas con diagnóstico de infertilidad, que fueron tratadas en el Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia durante el periodo de junio del 2000 a abril del 2001. Se recolectaron muestras uretrales y cervicales de cada pareja para el diagnóstico de C. trachomatis mediante la prueba de hibridación en fase líquida (PACE-2). También se recolectaron muestras de semen para el análisis de espermatobioscopia y se hicieron cultivos microbiológicos de rutina a las muestras cervicales y de semen. Los datos microbiológicos, clínicos y ginecológicos de los participantes fueron comparados por %z, el análisis de tendencia para proporciones fue usado para establecer el nivel de riesgo en las variables (RR). Las diferencias fueron consideradas estadísticamente significativas si p < 0.05. Resultados. Se analizaron un total de 384 muestras uretrales de varones, 14 presentaron infección activa por C. trachomatis (3.6%), Los datos de espermatobioscopia de los individuos positivos a C. trachomatis no mostraron alteraciones significativas con respecto al de varones no infectados con esta bacteria. El análisis microbiológico del semen mostró un número de aislamientos significativos de infección por Mycoplasma sp. (RR = 5.87, IC95% 1.40-24.70). En cuanto a las muestras cervicovaginales de mujeres con compañero sexual infectado por C. trachomatis, los patógenos aislados con mayor frecuencia fueron: Candida albicans en ocho de 14 (RR = 1.89, IC95% 1.17-3.05) y C. trachomatis en ocho de 14 (RR = 10.57, IC95% 5.67-19.7). Las asociaciones ginecológicas y obstétricas de la compañera sexual de varones positivos a C. trachomatis fueron adherencias tubáricas en 10 de 14 (RR = 1.54, IC95% 1.08-2.18), salpingitis en dos de 14 (RR = 2.2), antecedentes de embarazos ectópicos en 11 de 14 casos (RR = 2.94, IC95% 1.01-8.53) y abortos previos en nueve de 14 (RR = 1.5). Conclusión. Se observó una baja prevalencia de infección por C. trachomatis en los varones de mujeres infértiles en comparación con lo reportado por otros autores, esta diferencia puede estar dada por el método de diagnóstico y la toma del producto. Estos resultados sugieren que el estímulo constante del patógeno produce un aumento de adherencias tubáricas y embarazos ectópicos en las compañeras sexuales de los varones infectados con C. trachomatis. Por lo que una evaluación diagnóstica y de laboratorio deberá ser llevada a cabo en el varón como una medida de prevención y control para la infección por este patógeno, ya que estos individuos actúan como reservónos importantes de infección.

Frequency of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) have been detected in the urine of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated the presence of these mycoplasma in the endocervix of women presenting SLE. A total of 40 SLE patients (mean age 40.2 years), and 51 healthy women (mean age 30.9 years), were studied. Endocervical swabs were cultured in specific liquid media for MH or UU, detected by a quantitative color assay, and considered positive at >10(3) dilutions. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-tailed Fisher test. UU was detected in 52.5 % of patients and in 11.8% of controls (p= 0.000059). MH was detected in 20% of patients and 2% controls (p=0.003905). Both mycoplasmas were detected in 7.3% patients and 0% controls (p<0.000001). The results reported here corroborate the association of the mycoplasma infection and SLE. Thus, these agents may stimulate the production of autoreactive clones.

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) e Mycoplasma hominis (MH) têm sido detectados em urina de mulheres com lupus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Avaliamos a presença destes mycoplasmas no endocervix de mulheres apresentando LES. Um total de 40 pacientes com LES (idade média de 40,2 anos), e 51 mulheres sadias (idade média de 30.9 anos), foram estudadas. Swabs do endocervix foram cultivados em meio líquido específico para MH e UU, detectados por teste colorimétrico quantitativo, considerando positivo diluições > 103 . Análise estatística foi feita usando teste de Fisher. UU foi detectado em 52,5% das pacientes e em 11,8% dos controles (p= 0.000059). MH foi detectado em 20% das pacientes e 2% dos controles (p=0.003905). Ambos mycoplasmas foram detectados em 7,3 % das pacientes e 0% dos controles (p<0.000001). Os resultados aqui reportados corroboram com a associação de infecção por mycoplasma e LES. Estes agentes podem estimular a produção de clones autoreativos.

Prevalencia de Chlamydia trachomatis, micoplasmas urogenitales y sus asociaciones en un grupo de mujeres promiscuas / Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, urogenital micoplasmas and their association to a group of promiscuous women

Chalamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis son microorganismos responsables de infecciones urogenitales. Son aislados con considerable frecuencia del tracto genital femenino. En este trabajo se estudiaron 100 exudados vaginales de mujeres promiscuas que concurrieron a la división de Bacteriología del Hospital Central de Río Cuarto. En todas las muestras se investigó la presencia de C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, M. hominis. La prevalencia hallada fue: C. trachomatis 17 por ciento; U. urealyticum 57 por ciento; M. hominis 21 por ciento y Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2 por ciento. Las asociaciones más frecuentes fueron: C. trachomatis-Trichomonas vaginalis, micoplasmas-T. vaginalis y Gardnerella vaginalis-Candida albicans con un 18 por ciento, 15 por ciento y 8 por ciento respectivamente

Eritema multiforme mayor asociado a infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae: reporte de dos casos / Erythema multiforme major associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Se presentan dos casos de eritema multiforme mayor asociados a infección por Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Ambos casos se presentaron en varones adolescentes e iniciaron su cuadro con síntomas respiratorios altos. La evolución fue favorable en el primer caso, con curación sin secuelas; no así el segundo paciente, que presentó estenosis del conducto lagrimal y uretral que requirieron corrección quirúrgica

Investigación de tres patógenos de transmisión sexual en diferentes patologías ginecológicas / Investigate of three pathogenic of transmitted sexually in differents gynecological problems

Investigar la incidencia de Mycoplasma hominis (M hominis), Ureaplasma urealyticum (U urealyticum) y Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) en pacientes con diferentes patologías ginecológicas. Se practicó cultivo para M hominis y U urealyticum en muestras del endocervix de 133 pacientes y determinación de antigenos anticlamidiales en el cuello uterino de 109 pacientes. Hospital Manuel Noriega Trigo, Maracaibo. Fueron positivas 47 pacientes (42 por ciento); 26 a M hominis y 21 a U urealyticum; el chlamydiazyme fue positivo en 12 pacientes (12,8 por ciento). El M hominis se encontró en el 61 por ciento de las nulíparas y el U urealyticum en el 71 por ciento de las multíparas. Hubo significancia estadística en las pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica (ElP) (p=0,03). En la biopsia del cuello uterino se encontró neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) en 49 (94 por ciento) pero sólo 24 (49 por cento; p=0,4) fueron positivas a Mycoplasma y 4(8,2 por ciento) a la Cht. En nuestra población, encontramos Mycoplasma en casi el 50 por ciento aunque no hubo predominio de ninguna cepa; el M hominis fue más frecuente en nulíparas y hubo una relación estadísticamente significativa entre EIP y mycoplasma genital

Mycoplasma in the spotlight of AIDS: partial biochemical characterization of mycoplasma-derived components inducing TNF alpha secretion and blast transformation.

We have previously demonstrated that the AIDS-associated Mycoplasma fermentans as well as Mycoplasma capricolum membranes activated bone marrow macrophages to secrete tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and induce blast transformation of splenic lymphocytes. Herein, we show that the membrane component of Mycoplasma capricolum capable of inducing TNF alpha secretion is a hydrophobic protein. This is supported by our findings that the TNF alpha inducing activity was eluted by a phenyl-Sepharose column in a peak distinct from bulk membrane lipids. The hydrophobic nature of the protein is indicated by the activity of the "hydrophobic protein" fraction of the membranes, and the pattern of elution obtained by the phenyl-Sepharose column. Fractionation of the M. capricolum membranes, solubilized by CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammoniol]1-propane sulfate) on a gel filtration column revealed a major peak of TNF alpha inducing activity of about 75,000 daltons, and a minor peak of about 55,000 daltons. The mitogenic activity, though spread throughout the column, peaked in the same fractions as the TNF alpha inducing activity. Both activities co-eluted by the phenyl-Sepharose column as well. However, the mitogenic activity of the membranes was much more resistant to elevated temperatures and extreme pH treatment.

Aetiologic factors in male infertility: clinical, microbiological and hormonal evaluation.

Seventy two infertile men were studied. History of small pox and mumps infection was noted in 4 and 3 patients respectively. Seven patients had varicocele (9.2%), and small atrophic testes were found in 9 (12.5%). Azoospermia was reported in 41 (58.3%) and oligospermia in 17 (23.6%), and 14 patients (19.4%) had normal sperm counts. Mycoplasma were grown from urethral swabs in 25 (35%) patients. Mean LH and FSH were elevated in azoospermics (p less than 0.001), E2-17B in oligospermics (p less than 0.001) and FSH in normospermic (p less than 0.01) patients. Hypergonadotropism suggestive of primary testicular failure was recorded in 43 (59.7%) patients. Hypogonadotropism was noted in 3 (4%) and hyperprolactinemia due to pituitary microadenoma induced infertility in only one patient. No aetiology could be determined in 11 (16%) patients.