Viral Venereal Diseases of the Skin.

Viral venereal diseases remain difficult to treat. Human papilloma virus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are two common viral venereal diseases. HPV infections are characterized by anogenital warts and less commonly by premalignant or malignant lesions. HSV infections classically present as grouped vesicles on an erythematous base with associated burning or pain; however, immunosuppressed patients may have atypical presentations with nodular or ulcerative lesions. This review discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of anogenital HPV and HSV infections with an emphasis on treatment modalities for the practicing dermatologist. Diagnosis of these diseases typically relies on clinical assessment, although multiple diagnostic techniques can be utilized and are recommended when diagnosis is uncertain or evaluating an individual with increased risk of malignancy. Management of HPV and HSV infections involves appropriate counseling, screening, and multiple treatment techniques. Particularly for HPV infections, a practitioner may need to use a combination of techniques to achieve the desired outcome.

Awareness and knowledge of human papilloma virus in UK women aged 25 years and over: Results from a cross-sectional internet-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: The expanding use of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing within cervical screening requires an evaluation of public understanding of HPV. This study aimed to explore HPV awareness and knowledge using a previously psychometrically validated measure in a sample of UK women aged 25 years and over. METHODS: An anonymous web-based cross-sectional survey design was used, and responses were recorded for 246 women (mean age = 37.59, SD = 9.20). RESULTS: Findings indicated limits to women's understanding of HPV, its transmission, treatment and link with cancer. The mean HPV knowledge score was 9.35 (4.43), and the mean HPV testing score was 3.34 (1.91). Multivariate analyses revealed that information seeking following cervical screening and being a student is associated with higher HPV knowledge and that having a positive HPV test result and having university education is associated with higher HPV testing knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight that there is a lack of knowledge and misunderstanding relating to HPV and its link with cancer in adult women in the UK. The findings suggest that public health HPV information campaigns are urgently needed, especially with a drop in UK cervical screening attendance rates, and with the upcoming change to HPV primary testing within the UK NHS cervical screening programme.

[Correlation between the genotypes and clinical symptoms of human papilloma virus in male outpatients at STD clinics].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of the human papilloma virus (HPV) and its genotypes in the male outpatients at the clinics of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Changshu and analyze its association with the primary clinical symptoms so as to provide some evidence for the prevention and treatment of HPV infection in men. METHODS: We collected exfoliated cell samples from the external genitals of 602 male outpatients at the STD clinics in Changshu from February 2016 to February 2018, extracted and amplified nucleic acids from the samples, and detected the HPV genotypes using the gene chip technique. We performed statistical analyses on the types of symptoms in clinical diagnosis and their correlation with the genotypes of HPV using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The HPV positive rate in the male STD clinics was 48.2%, of which 47.2 % fell into the low-risk type, 30.0% with multiple infections. The main genotypes included HPV types 6, 11, 39, and 52, and the main HPV-related clinical symptoms were verruca (43.1%) and erythra (41.0%). Low-risk types 6 and 11 accounted for a significantly higher percentage than the high-risk types in the verruca patients (60.0% vs 15.0%, , P < 0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference from the latter in the erythra patients (38.7% vs 38.7%, P > 0.05). The incidence of low-risk infection was remarkably higher than that of high-risk infection in the acrobystitis and balanitis patients (P < 0.05), while the high-risk types constituted a markedly higher percentage than the low-risk and high- and low-risk mixed types in the asymptomatic men at physical examination (84.6% vs 0.0% and 15.4%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The HPV positive rate was as high as 48.2% in the males at the STD clinics in Changshu, and the main infection type was low-risk genotype single infection. The clinical symptoms of low-risk infection were mainly verruca and prepuce balanitis, and the high-risk type was mostly asymptomatic at physical examination.

Human papilloma virus: Apprehending the link with carcinogenesis and unveiling new research avenues (Review).

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are a small group of non­enveloped viruses belonging to the Papillomaviridae family with strong similarities to polyoma viruses. The viral particles consist of a genome in the form of a circular double­stranded DNA, encompassing eight open reading frames, as well as a non­enveloped icosahedral capsid. HPV infection is considered the most common sexually transmitted disease in both sexes and is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of different types of cancer. 'High­risk' mucosal HPV types, predominantly types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35, are associated with most cervical, penile, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal cancers and pre­cancers. Screening for HPV is necessary for the prognosis and for determining treatment strategies for cancer. Novel HPV markers, including proteomic and genomic markers, as well as anti­papillomavirus vaccines are currently available. The aim of this comprehensive review was to thoroughly present the updated information on virus development, cancer occurrence, treatment and prevention strategies, in an attempt to shed further light into the field, including novel research avenues.

Prenatal Effects of Zika Virus and Management of the Pregnant Woman.

The identification of Zika virus as a significant teratogen has raised international concern, causing the World Health Organization to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This has allowed a global mobilization of experts in tropical infectious diseases, obstetrics, pediatrics, virology, public health policy, reproductive health, bioethics, and germ cell research to name just a few. This worldwide crisis has also raised awareness of health care disparities and concerns regarding the ability of families and societies to shoulder the long-term financial burden that the follow-up of affected children will require. There is now strong biologic evidence of causality between Zika virus and microcephaly and other neurologic abnormalities identified. Multiple national and international organizations have collaborated to develop guidelines for the management of pregnant women who reside in or who are exposed to Zika virus, whether from travel to affected areas or via sexual contact with an infected individual. These guidelines are updated frequently as data are made available. Testing algorithms are available and though testing is fraught with interpretation issues, the development of better diagnostic tests is ongoing.

Immunotherapeutic strategies for sexually transmitted viral infections: HIV, HSV and HPV.

More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired each day globally. Etiotropic drugs cannot effectively control infectious diseases therefore, there is a dire need to explore alternative strategies especially those based on the regulation of immune system. The review discusses all rational approaches to develop better understanding towards immunotherapeutic strategies based on modulation of immune system in an attempt to curb the elevating risk of infectious diseases such as HIV, HPV and HSV because of their high prevalence. Development of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and several other immune based treatments are promising alternative strategies that are offering new opportunities to eradicate pathogens.

Vaginal gene therapy.

In the last years, vaginal gene therapy has gained increasing attention mainly for the treatment and control of sexually transmitted infections. DNA delivery has been also suggested to improve reproductive outcomes for women with deficiencies in the female reproductive tract. Although no product has reached clinical phase, preclinical investigations reveal the potential of the vaginal tract as an effective administration route for gene delivery. This review focuses on the main advantages and challenges of vaginal gene therapy, and on the most used nucleic acid delivery systems, including viral and non-viral vectors. Additionally, the advances in the application of vaginal gene therapy for the treatment and/or prevention of infectious diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the human papillomavirus (HPV) or the herpes simplex virus (HSV) are presented.

Treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult, pediatric, and immunodeficient populations.

BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin that is widely considered to be a self-resolving disease that can be treated with benign neglect. However, the clinical reality is that the disease can vary widely by anatomic site and by recalcitrance to treatment and remains a significant cause of morbidity worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to compile an updated resource for clinicians that addresses the management of the broad spectrum of molluscum cases that may be encountered. METHODS: A comprehensive PubMed search was performed to identify publications on the treatment of molluscum infection, including presentations that may be rare or difficult. RESULTS: The specific clinical scenario of molluscum must be considered when selecting the optimal therapy because certain treatments can be more effective for specific patient subpopulations. CONCLUSION: Further attention must be directed toward standardizing treatment for molluscum infection based on patient age and immune status.

Virus del papiloma e indicaciones de la vacuna tetravalente / Papillomavirus and indications of tetravalent

El virus del papiloma humano es una de las infecciones de transmisión sexual más comunes, se encuentra asociado con varias enfermedades desde cáncer cervical y anal, hasta verrugas genitales. Sus particulares inmunológicas le permiten subsistir en algunos pacientes y causar enfermedades malignas. Con la aprobación de la vacuna tetravalente contra el VPH los médicos poseemos una nueva arma en la prevención primaria contra el cáncer cervical, las verrugas genitales y el cáncer anal. Este trabajo revisa los conocimientos actuales sobre esta vacuna y sus indicaciones en medicina general.

Human papillomavirus disease in adolescents: management and prevention.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of viruses that infect the epithelium of many parts of the body. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is necessary but insufficient to cause cervical cancer. High-risk HPV types are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cancers other than cervical cancer. A large proportion of vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV. Low-risk HPV types cause genital warts. Recent advancement in the prevention of HPV infection, genital warts, and HPV-associated precancers and cancers include vaccination. Until the full potential of vaccination can be attained, cervical cancer screening remains an important component of prevention.

Infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en Chile / Sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Chile

Las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual (ITS) son infecciones causadas por diversos agentes (bacterias, virus, parásitos, protozoos, entre otros) y cuyo mecanismo de transmisión es el contacto sexual: genital, oral o anal, condición que les da su principal característica y que tiene implicancias en la prevención, pues se relaciona directamente con el "comportamiento sexual" del ser humano, y por lo tanto, con un acto de decisión personal. Las ITS son "PROBLEMA DE TODOS" en razón de ser Universales, no respetando razas, sexos, edad, cultura, creencias religiosas, situación socioeconómica, etc. Constituyen aún un importante problema de Salud Pública en todo el mundo a pesar de los esfuerzos por controlarlas y eventualmente erradicarlas como ha sucedido con otras enfermedades infecto contagiosas. Las modernas tecnologías usadas en el diagnóstico de laboratorio permiten identificar con mayor eficiencia los agentes causales, y el desarrollo de nuevos antibióticos permiten tratar con mayor eficacia, interrumpiendo así la transmisión.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are sexually infections caused for many agents (bacterias, virus, parasites, protozoos, etc.) and where the transmission is the sexual contact, vaginal, anal or oral, condition who give them the principal characteristic. And that have very important implicancies in prevention, because is directed related with sexual behaviour of human being and finally with and act of personal decision. The STI are a problem of all, in reason of being universal, without respect of races, sex, age, culture, religious credences, social economical position, etc. Today are an important problem in public health in all the World in spite the efforts for control and eventually erradicate them in the way who has succeded with others infectious diseases. Moderns technologies used in the laboratory diagnosis allow us identified with more eficcacious the agents and the development of new antibiotics will be the key to treat with more eficciency our patients and by this way close the chain of transmission.

European guideline for the management of hepatitis B and C virus infections, 2010.

These are the guidelines on hepatitis B and C management for IUSTI/WHO in Europe, 2010. They describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical features, treatment and prevention of hepatitis B and C with particular reference to sexual health clinical practice.

Herpes genital / Genital Herpes

El Herpes genital es una infección de transmisión sexual vírica que representa la causa más frecuente de úlcera genital en nuestro medio. Clínicamente, cursa con episodios recurrentes que pueden ser asintomáticos o con lesiones características vesículas-úlceras. Aunque existen pruebas serológicas que confirman el diagnóstico, así como el cultivo viral de las lesiones, en Atención Primaria el diagnóstico es eminentemente clínico. El tratamiento de elección consiste en fármacos antivirales sistémicos, que acortan el tiempo de eliminación del virus, aunque no evitan la recidiva. Es importante recordar su frecuente predisposición con otras infecciones de transmisión sexual y, en especial, con el VIH. Por ello, no debemos desaprovechar la ocasión para realizar su búsqueda. Presentamos el caso de un varón adulto de 36 años con lesiones características que acude a nuestra consulta (AU)

The genital herpes is an infection of viral sexual transmission that represents the most frequent reason of genital ulcer in our environment. Clinically it deals with recurrent episodes who can be asymptomatic or with typical injuries vesicles-ulcers. Though there are serologic tests that confirm the diagnosis, as well as viral culture of the injuries, at Primary Care the diagnosis is eminently clinical. The treatment of choice consists of antiviral systemic medicaments, wich they shorten the time of elimination of the virus though they do not avoid the recidivation. It is important to remember the frequent predisposition with other infections of sexual transmission especially with the HIV infection. So we must not fail to take advantage of the opportunity to do search it. We present a case of a 36 years old adult male with typical injuries that comes to our consultation (AU)

[Viral sexually transmitted infections: prevention, treatments and perspectives]. / Infections virales sexuellement transmissibles: prevention, traitements et perspectives.

Viral sexually transmitted infections: prevention, treatments and perspectives Viral sexually transmitted infections (STI) represent a major public health concern. Three different types of viral STI are routinely seen by dermatologists and general practitioners. The first group is represented by HPV which has recently benefited from the development of potent preventive vaccines. Herpesviridae infections are characterized by high levels of morbidity in a context of elevated prevalence in the population. No vaccine is presently available for the prevention of Herpesviridae transmission. The third type of viral STI is HIV, which showed a stable level of incidence in Switzerland over the last years. There is also currently no efficient vaccine against HIV infection. We review here the different tools that can be used to prevent viral STI transmission. We will also review treatment modalities for skin lesions caused by viral STI.

[The specifities of the HPV-genital infections in males]. / Posebnosti genitalnih infekcija humanim papiloma virusom u muskaraca.

Anogenital infections caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) are the most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infections of viral origin and up to 150 HPV DNA types have been recognized so far. Anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata) are the most common lesions presented in men, however, during the last decade the other HPV-associated exaggerated lesions such as condylomata plana, penile, scrotal, and anal intraepithelial neoplasias, as well as the penile, urine bladder and prostate cancer have been studied somewhat more extensively. The clinical variations might range from clinically invisible, asymptomatic lesions to the bizarre forms of giant condyloma of Buschke-Löwenstein type, including Bowenoid papulosis, Mb. Bowen, different kinds of eryhtroplasia both in men and women and a large spectrum of HPV-induced dermatovenereological entities in genital region including high-grade intraepithelial genital neoplasias, such as penile, anal, scrotal, vulvar, vaginal etc. (thus not only cervical), and, last but not least - the anogenital warts. A prophylactic vaccine that targets these types should thus substantially reduce the burden of HPV-associated clinical diseases. Ultimately, within the spectrum of therapeutic options for condylomata, no method is really superior to others; recurrences occurred in 30-70% of cases. We definitely need the HPV vaccination programme to eliminate one of the oldest and up to now unsolved problems of the mankind. Since HPV is transmitted by sexual intercourse, treatment of both partners is necessary in order to eliminate the virus from the population. Approaches to this include prophylactic vaccines such as quadrivalent HPV vaccine for both men and women.

Sexually transmitted papillomavirus infections: epidemiology pathogenesis, clinic, morphology, important differential diagnostic aspects, current diagnostic and treatment options.

The family of human papilloma viruses (HPV) comprises more than 100 genotypes. Approximately 30 of the genotypes are responsible for infections in the human anogenital area. A precisely defined algorithm with the goal of diagnosing and removing HPV for a prolonged or indefinite length of time, as well as to protect the patient from any malignant ransformation, does not currently exist. The identification of HPV strains by PCR or DNA hybridization in lesional tissue provides higher security for the patients. In high-risk patients additional colposcopy, rectoscopy, and rethroscopy/cystoscopy increase the probability of proper diagnosis and the application of a reliable therapeutic strategy. Removal of lesions by means of invasive methods, such as electrodessication, cryosurgery, and/or laser therapy, may be successful and could be combined pre- and postoperatively with the local application of podophyllotoxin, Trichloroacetic acid, 5-fluorouracil epinephrine gel, imiquimod, cidofovir or interferon. The administration of vaccine to young patients prevents to a significant extent the clinical manifestation of the most frequent viral strains, being HPV-6,-11 and -18. The different therapeutic methods must be applied in accordance with the clinical picture, taking into account the patient's general status, the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as the local and systematic compatibility of the side effects of each remedy. The review focuses on the diagnosis and treatment options of sexually transmitted HPV-infections and includes synopsis of the most recent literature regarding new data of epidemiology, pathogenesis, ifferential diagnosis and morphology of HPV infections in humans.

Sexually transmitted papillomavirus infections: epidemiology pathogenesis, clinic, morphology, important differential diagnostic aspects, current diagnostic and treatment options: [review] / Infecções por papilomavírus sexualmente transmitida: epidemiologia, patogênese, clínica, morfologia, aspectos importantes do diagnóstico diferencial, diagnóstico atual e opções de tratamento: [revisão]

The family of human papilloma viruses (HPV) comprises more than 100 genotypes. Approximately 30 of the genotypes are responsible for infections in the human anogenital area. A precisely defined algorithm with the goal of diagnosing and removing HPV for a prolonged or indefinite length of time, as well as to protect the patient from any malignant ransformation, does not currently exist. The identification of HPV strains by PCR or DNA hybridization in lesional tissue provides higher security for the patients. In high-risk patients additional colposcopy, rectoscopy, and rethroscopy/cystoscopy increase the probability of proper diagnosis and the application of a reliable therapeutic strategy. Removal of lesions by means of invasive methods, such as electrodessication, cryosurgery, and/or laser therapy, may be successful and could be combined pre- and postoperatively with the local application of podophyllotoxin, Trichloroacetic acid, 5-fluorouracil epinephrine gel, imiquimod, cidofovir or interferon. The administration of vaccine to young patients prevents to a significant extent the clinical manifestation of the most frequent viral strains, being HPV-6,-11 and -18. The different therapeutic methods must be applied in accordance with the clinical picture, taking into account the patient's general status, the presence of concomitant diseases, as well as the local and systematic compatibility of the side effects of each remedy. The review focuses on the diagnosis and treatment options of sexually transmitted HPV-infections and includes synopsis of the most recent literature regarding new data of epidemiology, pathogenesis, ifferential diagnosis and morphology of HPV infections in humans.

A família de papiloma vírus humano (HPV) compreende mais de 100 genótipos. Aproximadamente 30 dos genótipos são responsáveis pelas infecções na área anogenital em humanos. Não dispomos no momento de um algoritmo precisamente definido tendo como meta o diagnóstico e a remoção de HPV por períodos de tempo prolongados ou indefinidos, nem para proteção do paciente contra transformação maligna. A identificação das cepas de HPV por PCR ou hibridização de DNA em tecido lesional oferece maior segurança para os pacientes. Em pacientes de alto risco realiza-se ainda colposcopia, rectoscopia e uretroscopia/ cistoscopia, aumentando a probabilidade do diagnóstico correto e a aplicação de estratégia terapêutica confiável. A remoção das lesões por meio de métodos invasivos, como a eletrodissecção, criocirurgia, e/ou terapia com laser, pode ser bem sucedida e combinada no pré e no pós-operatório com a aplicação local de toxina podofílica, ácido tricloroacético, gel de epinefrina 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, cidofovir ou interferon. A administração da vacina em pacientes jovens é capaz de previnir as manifestações clínicas das cepas virais mais frequentes, que são HPV-6, -11 e -18. Os diferentes métodos terapêuticos devem ser aplicados de acordo com o quadro clínico, levando em consideração o estado de saúde geral do paciente, a presença de doenças concomitantes, assim como a compatibilidade local e sistêmica dos efeitos adversos em cada remédio. A revisão foca o diagnóstico e as opções de tratamento de infecções por HPV sexualmente transmitidas e inclui uma sinopse da literatura mais recente no que diz respeito aos dados de epidemiologia, patogênese, diagnóstico diferencial e morfologia de infecções por HPV em humanos.