IL-23, IFN-α, and IFN-ß in the vaginal fluid of patients suffering from vulvovaginal candidosis.

Purpose of the investigation: Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) is a common vaginal infection affecting almost 75% of all women once per lifetime. Vaginal associated immunity is important in the protection against VVC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a potential role of IL-23, IFN-α, and IFN-ß in the local immune response against VVC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 202 non-pregnant women; 71 patients with clinical symptoms of VVC and 131 asymptomatic patients served as control. IL-23, IFN-α, and IFN-ß were measured in the vaginal fluid by ELISA. Microbiological cultures were used for Candida detection. RESULTS: C. albicans was detected in 67.6% of patients, C. glabrata in 2 1.1% of patients, and 5.6% were infected with C. krusei or coinfected with C. albicans and C. krusei. Levels of IL-23 (p < 0.001) and IFN-ß (p < 0.017) were significantly lower in the VVC group. IFN-α was elevated in the VVC group compared to the asymptomatic patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IL-23 and IEFN-ß seem to play a protective role against VVC. Decreased levels in VVC patients suggest a compromised local immune response at the time of occurrence of symptoms. In contrast, IFN-α seems to be released once the infection has occurred. These cytokines may be prospective targets in the treatment and prevention of primary and recurrent vaginal infections with Candida species.

HPV Vaccination: Attitude and Knowledge among German Gynecologists.

Purpose: In order to achieve a higher vaccination rate, education on HPV as well as options for prophylaxis performed by doctors is of great importance. One opportunity to increase the protection against HPV would be vaccinating boys. This study evaluated attitude and knowledge among German gynecologists regarding HPV vaccination, especially in boys. Material and Methods: A questionnaire with 42 questions about demographics, attitude and knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination was sent to members of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). Results: 998 out of 6567 addressed gynecologists participated. Knowledge about HPV, associated diseases and possible HPV vaccines was high among participants. The attitude towards vaccination in boys as well as girls was positive. Only 8.2 % refused to vaccinate their sons whereas 2.2 % refused to do this for their daughters. However, only few gynecologists vaccinated their daughters and sons against HPV. Main reason for girls was an age outside of vaccination guidelines; for boys it was the lack of cost coverage. Conclusion: The willingness of gynecologists to perform HPV vaccination in boys is as high as for girls. However, sons of gynecologists are only rarely vaccinated against HPV. Main reason is the lack of cost coverage. Vaccinating boys could decrease the disease burden in males, as well as protect women by interrupting ways of transmission. Since the main argument against vaccination of boys is only of financial nature, the necessity of a vaccination recommendation for boys needs to be re-evaluated taking into account the cost-reduced 2-dose vaccination scheme.

Impact of guideline-based use of uPA/PAI-1 on patient outcome in intermediate-risk early breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of guideline-based prospective use of uPA/PAI-1 on clinical outcome in an intermediate-risk cohort of breast cancer patients. We analyzed 381 consecutive primary breast cancer patients (2003-2011) at the breast center Ostbayern meeting the following criteria: M0/N0/estrogen receptor (ER)+/G2. Clinical-pathological data, uPA/PAI-1, and follow-up data were collected. Decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy were made upon consideration of prospectively measured uPA/PAI-1. Observed disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimates. Using guideline-based analysis of uPA/PAI-1, treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy was avoided in 86.5 % of patients with low uPA/PAI-1, i.e., 38.8 % of the total patient collective. Median follow-up was 52.5 months. Five-year relapse-free survival in intermediate-risk patients (N0, G2) without chemotherapy was 99 %. Five-year overall survival including all causes of death was 95 %. By using uPA/PAI-1, adjuvant chemotherapy can be avoided in a major part of patients with intermediate-risk breast cancer. Nevertheless, DFS and OS of these patients at 5 years remain excellent. The potential, but hardly measurable, benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy has to be set in contrast with its associated side effects and increased morbidity. Patients with high uPA/PAI-1 show benefit from chemotherapy. In this subgroup, a very good OS was observed as well. These findings strongly support the use of uPA/PAI-1 together with clinic-pathological parameters as an evidence-based, clinically relevant and inexpensive decision tool in the routine of a breast center.

Surgical management of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence.

PURPOSE: Approximately 10-15% of breast cancer patients treated by breast conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) will develop ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). International guidelines suggest total mastectomy as treatment of choice for IBTR following lumpectomy and RT. Nevertheless, there is evidence that second BCS might be equally sufficient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with IBTR diagnosed between 1990 and 2014 after BCS and RT were included (n = 170). 34.1% women underwent secondary BCS, whereas 65.9% were treated by mastectomy. We determined predictive factors for time to local progression (TTP), disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) comparing these two groups. RESULTS: Median follow-up after primary IBTR was 49 months (59 months for patients still alive at time of analysis). Five-year IBTR-free rate after secondary BCS was 77.6% (SD ± 6.1%) and 75.0% (SD ± 4.5%) for patients after mastectomy. Five-year DFS was 57.3% (SD ± 8.2%), and 61.9% (SD ± 5.5%), five-year OS was 84.7% (SD ± 5.8%), and 72.6% (SD ± 5.1%), respectively. Prior adjuvant systemic therapy, muscular invasion, and skin infiltration were independent significant risk factors for a shorter TTP. Additionally, lymphovascular infiltration (LVI) in the IBTR increased the risk for a shorter DFS. LVI, muscular invasion, and skin infiltration were identified as independent significant risk factors for a shorter OS. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in local control, DFS, and OS was seen between IBTR patients treated either by secondary BCS or mastectomy. Our data suggest that secondary BCS for IBTR patients after initial BCS and RT is feasible in selected patients.

Low muscle mass and sarcopenia: common and predictive of osteopenia in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Body composition is poorly studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sarcopenia describes a loss of muscle mass and strength. AIM: To assess the prevalence of low lean mass (LM), sarcopenia and associated morbidity in an adult IBD cohort. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were gathered on pre-menopausal 18- to 50-year-old patients with IBD. Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometric assessment and grip strength were performed. Low LM was defined as ≥1 s.d. below the population mean for appendicular skeletal muscle index [ASMI (kg)/height (m)²], and sarcopenia as both ASMI and grip strength ≥1 s.d. below population mean. Multivariate regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of 137 participants (median age 31 years, BMI 24.8 kg/m(2) ), 56% were male and 69% had Crohn's disease (CD). Low LM and sarcopenia were observed in 21% and 12% of patients, respectively, and osteopenia/osteoporosis in 38% of patients (mean lumbar spine t-score -0.3 ± s.d. 1.1). Grip strength predicted low LM and sarcopenia better than did body mass index (BMI) (OR 4.8 vs. OR 0.7 for low-LM, P < 0.05 both). Normal BMI was falsely reassuring in 72% and 76% of patients with low ASMI and sarcopenia, respectively. Low LM and sarcopenia (OR = 3.6, P = 0.03; OR = 6.3, P = 0.02; respectively), but not BMI nor fat mass, predicted osteopenia/osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Low lean mass and sarcopenia are common in patients with IBD, and important to recognise as they predict osteopenia/osteoporosis. Grip strength testing should be incorporated into routine clinical practice to detect low lean mass deficits, which may go unrecognised using BMI alone.