Sexually Transmitted Infections in Youth With Controlled and Uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), disproportionately affect adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 13-24 years. Sexually transmitted infections likewise are a risk factor for HIV acquisition and transmission; however, there is a lack of data on STI acquisition in HIV-infected AYAs. METHODS: We determined the incidence of STIs in HIV-infected AYAs 12.5 <25 years of age in the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) P1074 observational cohort study. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of HIV control (mean viral load <500 copies/mL and CD4+ T cells >500 cells/mm3 in the year preceding STI diagnosis) and other risk factors with STI occurrence. RESULTS: Of 1201 enrolled subjects, 1042 participants met age criteria and were included (49% male, 61% black, 88% perinatally infected; mean age 18.3 years). One hundred twenty participants had at least 1 STI on study, of whom 93 had their first lifetime STI (incidence rate = 2.8/100 person-years). For individual STI categories, 155 incident category-specific events were reported; human papillomavirus (HPV) and chlamydial infections were the most common. In the multivariable model, having an STI was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.22), female sex (aOR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.67-4.21), nonperinatal HIV acquisition (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.29-4.22), and uncontrolled HIV infection (aOR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.29-3.25). CONCLUSIONS: Sexually transmitted infection acquisition in HIV-infected AYAs is associated with older age, female sex, nonperinatal HIV acquisition, and poorly controlled HIV infection. Substantial rates of STIs among HIV-infected AYAs support enhanced preventive interventions, including safe-sex practices and HPV vaccination, and antiretroviral adherence strategies.

[Infertility in women: latest developments]. / Infertilität bei Frauen : Neueste Entwicklungen.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of female infertility has not changed since the early 1990s. Based on new data from basic research on infertility, novel options in the diagnostics and treatment of infertility have emerged, besides in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). AIM: This review summarizes the current knowledge on female infertility and on modern concepts in diagnostics and treatment. METHODS: A literature research on the causes of infertility and on treatment options was performed, including demographic factors, infectiology, anatomy, endocrinology and metabolism, endometriosis, lifestyle and environmental factors, and psychological factors. RESULTS: Chlamydial infection is still the major cause of tubal infertility. Improvement of the patient's fertility by correction of endocrine and metabolic disorders, in particular thyroid dysfunction and glucose metabolism, as well as fertility surgery are of main interest. CONCLUSIONS: Besides assisted reproductive techniques, concepts to optimize individual fertility have gained increasing importance.

Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) is present in atherosclerotic and aneurysmal arterial wall--cLPS levels depend on disease manifestation.

BACKGROUND: The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in peripheral atherosclerosis disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) detection is a method used conventionally in routine chlamydial diagnosis of gynecological or ophthalmic samples. METHODS: We compared cLPS concentrations, as well as other markers of bacterial load, in plaques and sera of patients operated on for carotid artery stenosis (n=110), aorto-occlusive disease (n=22), or AAAs (n=50) at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. RESULTS: The median levels of cLPS in plaques were 2.28, 0.80, and 0.29 ng/ml in AAA, aorto-occlusive disease, and carotid artery stenosis patients, respectively (P<.001, Kruskal-Wallis). cLPS in serum correlated with LPS binding protein levels (Spearman's rho=0.52, P<.001), suggesting that the presence of chlamydiae is sufficient to produce an innate immune response reaction in these patients. Serum inflammatory markers interleukin 6 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein also correlate with cLPS (Spearman's rho=0.42 and 0.51, respectively, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: cLPS is present in arterial disease, and the potential role of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of both peripheral atherosclerosis disease and AAA should not be forgotten. cLPS has a positive correlation with serum inflammatory markers, but this is no proof of a causal association.

Emerging role of Chlamydia and Chlamydia-like organisms in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review considers the roles of Chlamydia spp. and newly identified Chlamydia-like organisms in miscarriage, stillbirths and preterm labour in both animals and humans. RECENT FINDINGS: The cause of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm labour often remains unexplained. Intracellular bacteria that grow either poorly or not at all on media used routinely to detect human pathogens could be the aetiological agents of these obstetrical conditions. There is growing evidence that Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila abortus, Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and/or animals. Waddlia, a Chlamydia-like organism first isolated from an aborted bovine, has emerged as an agent of abortion in cattle. Recently, Waddlia was also implicated in human foetal death. Moreover, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae is also abortigenic in ruminants. Whether additional novel Chlamydia-like organisms, such as Protochlamydia amoebophila, Neochlamydia hartmanellae, Criblamydia sequanensis, Rhabdochlamydia crassificans and Simkania negevensis, are involved in foetal loss or premature delivery remains to be determined. SUMMARY: This review provides an update on the consequences of chlamydial infection during pregnancy and summarizes current evidence suggesting that some Chlamydia-related organisms are probably emerging obstetrical pathogens.

Exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Recent studies have found an association between exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To assess a potential risk of AMD progression posed by exposure to C. pneumoniae, the authors reexamined Australian residents in 2001-2002 who were aged 51-89 years with early AMD at baseline (1992-1995). Examination included macular photography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine antibody titers to the elementary bodies from C. pneumoniae AR39. AMD progression was assessed quantitatively, using both coarse and fine progression steps following an international classification for AMD grading, and also qualitatively, by side-by-side comparison of baseline and follow-up macular photographs. Serologic data were available for 246 of 254 (97%) subjects. AMD progression was associated with a higher antibody titer. After adjustment for age, smoking, family history of AMD, history of cardiovascular diseases, and source study, the subjects in the upper tertiles of antibody titers were 2.1 (95% confidence interval: 0.92, 4.69), 2.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.24, 5.41), and 3.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.46, 6.37) times more at risk of progression than those in the lowest tertile, using three definitions of progression, respectively. The fact that seroreactivity to C. pneumoniae was independently associated with the risk of AMD progression suggests that C. pneumoniae infection may be an additional risk factor for AMD progression.

[Risk factors and reproductive sequelae associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infertile women]. / Factores de riesgo y secuelas reproductivas asociados a la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en mujeres infértiles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and sexual lifestyle characteristics associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women diagnosed with infertility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study subjects were women with an infertility diagnosis attending the infertility clinic at the National Institute of Perinatology. Endocervical specimens from 309 women were examined for Chlamydia trachomatis using the direct immunofluorescence method. Vaginal culture samples were taken before initiating treatment. The presence of other sexually-transmitted infections was also assessed. Demographic, sexual behavioral, historical, and clinical data were collected for each subject. RESULTS: Seventy-seven women (24.9%) were infected with C trachomatis. Of these women, 70 (90.9%) had only one sexual partner, 58 (75.3%) were married, and 19 (24.7%) were single or had a common-law sex partner. Intrauterine device (IUD) was the main contraceptive method used in 15 women (19.5%). A coinfection with other sexually-transmitted microorganisms was detected in 41 of these patients (53.2%). Nineteen (24.7%) women had undergone tubal ligation. Among women with C trachomatis infection, reproductive sequelae were found: 24 (31.2%) women had had abortions and 50 (64.9%) had had a miscarriage. In 26 women cervical abnormalities were detected (33.8%); 50 (64.9%) had purulent vaginal discharge and 14 (18.1%) had pelvic pain. Bivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for C trachomatis infection in women with infertility were: having a sex partner (OR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.22-7.5, p = 0.008), common-law union (OR = 3.68, p = 0.03), and IUD use (OR = 2.42, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A consistent relationship between C trachomatis infection and infertility was found. Infection with C trachomatis in women with infertility was associated with having one single sexual partner, marital status, and IUD use. The presence of ectropion and friability of the cervix may signal C trachomatis infection. Identification and presumptive therapy should be evaluated as measures to prevent and control C trachomatis infection in patients at risk. The English version of this paper is available at:http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

Factores de riesgo y secuelas reproductivas asociados a la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis en mujeres infértiles / Risk factors and reproductive sequelae associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infertile women

OBJETIVO: Comparar la información clínica y el estilo de vida sexual en dos grupos de mujeres con y sin infección por Chlamydia trachomatis que asisten a la clínica de infertilidad del Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, de la Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: De febrero a noviembre de 1998, se realizó un estudio prospectivo en pacientes con diagnóstico de infertilidad. En el estudio se incluyó a pacientes con diagnóstico de infertilidad, tratados en el Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia, de la Ciudad de México, durante 1988. Las muestras endocervicales de 309 mujeres, que incluyeron a 77 con infección y a 232 sin infección, fueron examinadas para Chlamydia trachomatis, usando inmunofluorescencia directa. Los cultivos vaginales fueron obtenidos antes de iniciar el tratamiento. También se investigó la presencia de otros agentes infecciosos de transmisión sexual y la información demográfica, de conducta sexual, histórica y clínica fue recopilada de cada paciente. Los datos clínicos y ginecológicos de ambos grupos fueron comparados por ji2. La magnitud de las asociaciones fueron establecidas por razón de momios en análisis bivariados. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística para establecer los efectos confusores en relación con los factores analizados. Las diferencias fueron consideradas estadísticamente significativas si p<0.05. RESULTADOS: Para el estudio 309 mujeres fueron elegibles, 77 (24.9 por ciento) cursaron con infección por C trachomatis, de éstas, 70 (90.9 por ciento) mencionaron tener un compañero sexual, 58 (75.3 por ciento) estaban casadas, 19 (24.7 por ciento) eran solteras o vivían en concubinato, 15 (19.5 por ciento) utilizaron el dispositivo intrauterino para el control de la natalidad, 41 (53.2 por ciento) presentaron coinfección con otros agentes infecciosos de transmisión sexual, y 19 (24.7 por ciento) cursaron con infertilidad por obstrucción tubárica. Las secuelas reproductivas observadas en las pacientes con infección por C trachomatis mostraron que 24 (31.2 por ciento) tuvieron abortos, 50 (64.9 por ciento), gestaciones previas, 26 (33.8 por ciento) anormalidades en el cérvix y 50 (64.9 por ciento) secreciones vaginales purulentas, con dolor (18.1 por ciento). El análisis bivariado mostró que los factores de riesgo asociados significativamente con la infección por C trachomatis fueron la presencia de un compañero sexual (OR= 2.96, IC 95 por ciento 1.22-7.5, p=0.008), concubinato (RM=3.68, p=0.03) y uso de...

Serological evidence of acute infection with the Chlamydia-like microorganism Simkania negevensis (Z) in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aims of this study were twofold: (i) to test for possible associations between serological evidence of acute Simkania negevensis (Sn) infection and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (ii) to examine the prevalence of past infections with Sn in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 120 patients (63%) there was serological evidence of past infection with Sn, which was not significantly different from the rate in a control population. In five hospitalizations serological evidence existed of acute infection with Sn around the time of the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In four of these cases, there was serological evidence of acute infection with at least one other respiratory pathogen. It is concluded that Sn can be associated serologically with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in most cases together with other respiratory pathogens. The implications of these findings should be investigated further.

[Inflammation of the pelvis minor]. / A kismedencei gyulladás.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the must important gynecologic infectious disease. It causes not only serious clinical symptoms, life threatening complications, but also severe damage to the female upper reproductive tract. Among its important sequale are infertility due to tubal occlusion, ectopic pregnancy, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain. The must important causative organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, as well as anaerobic and facultative bacteria found in the vaginal flora of women with bacterial vaginosis. The author reviews the latest developments regarding the epidemiology, etiology diagnostics, medical and surgical therapy of the disease. The importance and possibilities of prevention are discussed.

Pneumonia por Chlamydia trachomatis: descriçäo de dois casos / Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia: report of 2 cases

Vários estudos epidemiológicos realizados nos Estados Unidos têm mostrado que as infecçöes por Chlamydia säo freqüentes em mulheres grávidas e que cerca de 1% dos recém-nascidos desenvolvem pneumonia por este agente. Através de testes sorológicos recentemente introduzidos em nosso meio passou a ser possível o diagnóstico destas infecçöes. Descreve-se em dois casos de pneumonia por Chlamydia trachomatis em recém-nascidos, adquiridas na passagem pelo canal do parto. A doença caracterizou-se por disfunçäo respiratória progressiva, associada em algum momento a uma conjuntivite, apresentando ao raio X um infiltrado intersticial difuso com hiperexpansäo pulmonar. Eosinofilia esteve presente em ambos os casos. O tratamento com eritromicina seguiu-se de rápida regressäo do quadro clínico e radiológico

Neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis.

Maternal chlamydial antibodies were determined in cord sera of 41 infants who developed neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis and compared with the antibody profile of infants who had been exposed to Chlamydia trachomatis at birth by their isolation positive mothers but in whom conjunctivitis did not develop. No protective effect could be attributed to maternal antibodies transferred to the infants. Paired sera samples were collected from 18 infants with chlamydial conjunctivitis. Chlamydial IgM antibodies were detected in four of these 18 cases at the time diagnosis was established by isolation. An additional eight cases had developed chlamydial IgM at the time the convalescent sera samples were taken, on average on day 40. At that time symptoms had disappeared after systemic treatment had been given. Thus chlamydial IgM antibodies were eventually shown in two thirds of infants with chlamydial conjunctivitis who were all systemically treated and clinically healed. These data suggest a cautious assessment of chlamydial IgM in the diagnosis of chlamydial pneumonia.

Infecçöes por Clamídia / Chlamydia infections

Faz-se uma revisäo atualizada sobre a infecçöes do trato genital-feminino, causados por Chlamydia tracomatis, sendo considerada uma infecçäo sexualmente transmíssivel e de incidência cada vez maior nos países desenvolvidos. Relatam-se dados de transmissäo, quadro clínico e tratamento. A infecçäo clamídica da cérvix uterina (cervical) é a origem da contaminaçäo no homem e no neonato, assim como das complicaçöes na própria mulher portadora. Devido à cervicite clamídica ser freqüentemente assintomática, o diagnóstico e tratamento desta condiçäo säo importantes para o controle destas infecçöes na comunidade

[Enzootic abortion among ewes in the Roznava district]. / Enzootický potrat oviec v okrese Roznava.

In the winter months of the year 1977, 64 dams out of 170 ewes pregnant for the first time miscarried on one farm in the locality G., Roznava district. Antibodies were revealed in 97% dams after the examination of the blood of 170 ewes from the abortion-affected flock; ornithosis antigen was employed for the examination in the complement-fixing reaction. In the cytoplasm of placentary cells of two miscarrying ewes chlamydiae were proved microscopically. The chlamydiae-strains designated LH-5109 and PK-5082 were isolated by inoculating placentary suspensions to the yolk sacs of chicken embryos. Both strains correspond to all the criteria necessitating the identification of chlamydiae (Storz, 1971). As miscarrying ewes in the course of abortions eliminate, with abortions and amniotic fluids, great amounts of chlamydiae to their environment, they represent a powerful source of infection to healthy animals housed on the same premises and to tending staff. Chlamydiae-antibodies were proved, by the complement-fixing reaction, in the blood of seven attendants out of all the eleven-member tending staff.