Epidemiological evaluation of risk factors associated with vaginal candidiasis in a cross section of pregnant women in Trinidad and Tobago.

Vaginal Candidiasis and associated epidemiological risk factors prevalent among a cross section of pregnant women attending tertiary hospital in Trinidad and Tobago was evaluated. Standardized questionnaire was used to survey 492 pregnant women over a period of 10 months in 2019. Vaginal swab was collected and processed using standard microbiological laboratory methods for phenotypic identification. Data were analyzed using SPSS to identify potential risk factors. Chi-squared (ꭓ2) test and logistic regression tests examined associations and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 44.9% with Candida albicans as predominant species identified (62%, N=492). Vaginal candidiasis was statistically significant for several risk factors, including second trimester (p = 0.03), age group 26 - 34 years (p=003), history of masturbation especially during the last 48hours prior to the swabbing (p=0.05), and wearing of pants as opposed to skirt clothes (p=0.04). In conclusion, several epidemiological risk factors are associated vaginal candidiasis among cross section of pregnant women in the country. Patient education, microbiological investigations and appropriate treatment will improve antenatal healthcare delivery in the country.

Effect of martial arts training on IL-6 and other immunological parameters among Trinidadian subjects.

BACKGROUND: Persistent bouts of extended exercise and heavy training are associated with depressed immune cell function. It has recently been demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced locally in contracting skeletal muscles and acts on a wide range of tissues. Larger amounts of IL-6 are produced in response to exercise than any other cytokines. Though the majority of existing data obtained following prolonged exercise, it remains to be explained the effect of martial arts training on IL-6 and other immunological parameters and associated changes to the duration of this type of exercise. IL-1α is produced mainly by activated macrophages, as well as neutrophils, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. It possesses metabolic, physiological, hematopoietic activities, and plays one of the central roles in the regulation of the immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of martial arts training on IL-6 and other immunological parameters among Trinidadian subjects. METHODS: Sixteen healthy, non-smoker individuals who have been martial arts practitioners for the last 5-15 years, aged 25.94±7.6.20 years. Blood samples were collected to determine IL-6 and other immunological parameters at pre-exercise, immediately post exercise (0 hours), 1 hour, 2 hour and 52 hours of post exercise). IL-6 and IL-1 was measured using Human IL-6 and IL-1 ß ELISA kit, blood cell count was done using automated blood cell counter and CD4, and CD3 count was performed using the automated immunofluorescence analysis by flow cytometer. RESULTS: The mean basal IL-6 level was 71.47±4.3 and reduced to 70.1±21.6 immediately after exercise and then increased to 75.70±8.2 after one hour of exercise bout, returning to basal level after two hours and remained so after 52 hours. The CD4 count was decreased as low as 102.2, (much lower than immune-compromised subjects) after the bout of training but returned to normal range within 2 hours of exercise and increased even more after 52 hours. Similar trends have been observed for hematological parameters such as white blood cells, granulocytes and lymphocytes. The white blood cell count, granulocyte count and lymphocyte count increased immediately after exercise and returned to basal level only after 52 hours of exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that the martial arts exercise increases key cytokines and other hematological parameters. The magnitude of the martial arts exercise-induced IL-6 response is dependent on intensity and especially duration of the exercise.

Fusarium soloni mycetoma.

A young apparently healthy, non-diabetic, HIV non-reactive woman presented with a mycetoma-like lesion on right buttock. Discharge was scanty, and mycotic grains were not seen. Biopsy of sinus track was obtained for microscopy and culture. Microscopic examination revealed plenty of fungal hyphae in direct microscopic examination of grounded tissues in saline; KOH, Gram's, and H and E-stained smears. All the three inoculated slants of Sabouraud's media yielded heavy growth of Fusarium solani. Presence of numerous hyphal fragments in direct microscopy and heavy growth of F. solani in all three slants indicative of etiological role of fungus in the present case. It is probably a first report of F. soloni mycetoma from India.