Is genital tract infection related to tubal diseases in infertile Vietnamese women?

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to identify the profile of genital tract infections and their relationship with clinical and demographic parameters as well as tubal diseases among infertile women in Vietnam. METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we enrolled 597 women undergoing infertility treatment at the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University Hospital, Vietnam. All of the study participants were interviewed and examined by a gynecologist. Consecutive tests were then conducted including direct microscopy examination (wet mount and Gram stain), vaginal culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for chlamydia diagnosis from a cervical canal swab, and a blood test for syphilis detection. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) was carried out to examine the uterine cavity and Fallopian tubes. RESULTS: A gynecologic infection was diagnosed in 43.4% (259/597) of the infertile women. Bacterial vaginosis was the most common condition at 19.6%of the cases. Candida spp., Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infections accounted for 17.4%, 3.7%, and 0.3%, respectively. Normal HSG results accounted for 87.4% of the women while 5.5% had 2-sided tubal occlusions, 5.4% had 1-sided tubal occlusions, 1.0% had 1-sided hydrosalpinx, and 0.7% had 2-sided hydrosalpinx. There was no significant association between tubal diseases and current infections; however, aerobic vaginitis increased the risk of tubal diseases by 2.4 times. CONCLUSIONS: A marked proportion of infertile Vietnamese women have genital tract infections that can significantly influence their reproductive function and performance. These infections should be routinely screened and treated properly to prevent their consequences, such as infertility, which is especially important in developing countries.

Molecular diagnostics and ITS-based phylogenic analysis of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in central Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus suis (S. suis) serotype 2 has recently become the most prevalent cause of meningitis in adults in many areas of Vietnam. This study provides data on S. suis molecular diagnosis in central Vietnam using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the S. suis serotype 2 cps2J gene. Additionally, 16S-23S rDNA intragenic spacer (ITS)-based phylogenic analysis of strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, is presented and discussed. METHODOLOGY: Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 40 CSF samples, and 18 were identified as S. suis by culture-dependent methods. Capsular serotyping was assessed by real-time PCR. ITS sequences were obtained after traditional PCR and were used in phylogenic analyses. RESULTS: Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 36 out of 40 CSF samples. A total of 18 S. suis strains were isolated and assigned to serotype 2 by real-time PCR. One CSF sample, negative when tested by culture-dependent methods, was positive to S. suis serotype 2 by real-time PCR. Pairwise alignments of the 18 ITS sequences did not reveal any variable nucleotide position, and resulted in a single sequence type. Sequences were similar to S. suis serotype 2 reference ITS sequences (> 98.1%), and there was no lack of an ITS spacer region in the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: S. suis serotype 2 is the most prevalent serotype in central Vietnam. Real-time PCR assay proved to be a reliable diagnostic method for early detection of S. suis 2 in CSF samples.