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We aimed to investigate the association between the presence of cutaneous urease‐producing bacteria and the development of incontinence‐associated dermatitis (IAD) using an original urea agar medium as a step toward developing advanced preventive measures. In previous clinical assessments, we developed an original urea agar medium to detect urease‐producing bacteria via the medium's colour changes. In a cross‐sectional study, specimens were collected via the swabbing technique at genital skin sites in 52 stroke patients hospitalised in a university hospital. The primary objective was to compare the presence of urease‐producing bacteria between the IAD and no‐IAD groups. Determining the bacterial count was the secondary objective. The prevalence of IAD was 48%. A significantly higher detection rate of urease‐producing bacteria was observed in the IAD group than in the no‐IAD group (P =.002) despite the total number of bacteria being equivalent between them. In conclusion, we discovered that there was a significant association between the presence of urease‐producing bacteria and IAD development in hospitalised stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a common pathology among women of reproductive age. In the pathogenesis of its development a great importance is paid to the process of regulation of estrogens and other sex hormones, the implementation of the immune response at the general and local levels, the inflammatory response, and genetic background. In recent years, the role of the microbiota in different parts of the genital tract of the female organism has been studied not only from the standard approach of inflammatory diseases research of the reproductive organs and pathological vaginal discharge, but its contribution into the development of other gynecological diseases, in particular endometriosis, is presented. The article is devoted to a review of scientific publications about researches devoted to the significance of the genital tract microflora in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. The article presents the concepts of states of eubiosis and dysbiosis, describes the features of the microflora of the lower (vagina, cervix) and upper parts (uterus, fallopian tubes) of the genital tract in healthy women. The data on the importance of Lactobacillus in maintaining an optimal state of acidity in the vaginal environment are presented. The difference in the composition of the microbiota of the vagina, cervical mucus, uterine cavity and peritoneal fluid in women with and without endometriosis is revealed. The pathogenetic mechanisms of the role of the microbiota in the processes of endometriosis pathogenesis, namely, the regulation of the immune response and inflammation processes in this pathology, are described. It has been shown that in women with endometriosis there are differences in the microflora composition of the vagina, cervix, uterine cavity, peritoneal fluid, manifested by a decreased concentration of Lactobacillus and the presence of a variety of other microorganisms in relation to healthy women. The data about the role of gut microflora in patients with this pathology are also presented. The results of research about the diagnosis of various stages of endometriosis by studying the composition of the genital tract microbiota are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With consistently rising rates of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) since 2014, the need for increased screening, testing, and treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in people at risk is clear. In this study, people with HIV were asked to complete a comprehensive audio computer-assisted self-interview sexual history at routine clinic-based laboratory visits every 3–6 months. The sexual health screening resulted in an automated summary of recommended bacterial STI tests. Self-collection of recommended extragenital CT/GC specimens was implemented to decrease the need for a provider to collect the specimen(s) and to give more control to the client. In total, extragenital CT/GC testing returned a 7.3% (n = 11) test positivity for CT and/or GC, with the highest test positivity of 14% (n = 7) among rectal swabs and 4% (n = 4) for pharyngeal swabs. Urogenital testing for combined CT/GC returned a 4.8% (n = 11) test positivity. All participants with extragenital CT/GC who underwent simultaneous urine testing returned discordant laboratory results, with urine collected at the same clinic visit resulting as negative. In addition, 7 of 11 (63.6%) of the positive extragenital GC/CT cases were asymptomatic. Therefore, extragenital site-specific testing was essential in appropriately diagnosing and treating CT and GC among participants. When extragenital STI testing was recommended, participants needing extragenital CT/GC specimens primarily chose self-collection after a brief demonstration. Error rates between self- versus provider-collected samples did not differ, and participants provided positive feedback on the intervention and self-collection process in satisfaction surveys taken at the end of each visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inflammation of the genital tract caused by a bacterial infection can affect the frequency of occurrence of hyperproliferative formations of the uterus, which in turn can lead to infertility. Changes in the microbiota of the vagina and intestines contribute to the formation of critical problems for women's reproductive health. Material and methods: Microbiota composition was studied using microscopic and cultural bacteriological methods in genitalia and intestines in 64 women with adenomyosis and infertility and 30 healthy women. Results: The obtained results indicate that the microbiota of the genital tract in patients with adenomyosis and infertility is characterized by a different frequency of pathological manifestations (bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, intermediate type of microbiocenosis) and excessive proliferation of vaginosis-associated microorganisms. Associative forms of bacterial contamination of the genital tract are registered in sick women. The formation of pathological intestinal microbiota in patients is largely due to a violation of the ratio between potentially pathogenic and protective species of bacteria. Conclusions: In women with adenomyosis and infertility, a pathological microbiota of the genital tract is formed, which is characterized by an increase in the structure of vaginal bacteria of representatives of pathogenic aerobic and vaginosis-associated microorganisms, a deficiency of lactobacilli. Intestinal microbiota in patients is characterized by the formation of multicomponent associations, which with a significant frequency contain conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely applied in the field of personal protection for their powerful toxic effects on cells, and recently, a new type of vaginal gel with AgNPs is used to protect the female reproductive tract from microbes and viruses. However, a high risk of AgNPs to the fetus and the underlying mechanism of AgNPs to interfere in embryo development still remain unclear. Thus, this study investigated the impact of two drugs of vaginal gel with AgNPs on reproductive capability of the female mouse by animal experiment. Then, kinetics of AgNPs affecting embryo development was investigated by in vitro embryos culturing, and cell membrane potential (CMP) of zygotes was analyzed by DiBAC4(3) staining. Results indicated that one of the drugs of vaginal gel certainly injured embryo development in spite of no apparent histological change found in ovaries and uteruses of drug-treated mice. In vitro embryo culturing discovered that the toxic effect of AgNPs on embryo development presented particle sizes and dose dependent, and AgNP treatment could rapidly trigger depolarization of the cell membrane of zygotes. Moreover, AgNPs changed the gene expression pattern of Oct-4 and Cdx2 in blastocysts. All these findings suggest that AgNPs can interfere with normal cellular status including cell membrane potential, which has not been noticed in previous studies on the impact of AgNPs on mammalian embryos. Thus, findings of this study alarm us the risk of applying vaginal gel with AgNPs in individual caring and protection of the female reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among many veterinary science problems in the field of industrial pig breeding, the high incidence of uterine pig population with postpartum diseases is the main problem. The main causes are: increased microbial contamination of both habitat and birth canal, immunodeficiency caused by the impact on the body of the widespread use of chemotherapy and other xenobiotics, stresses of various etiologies. This work conducted to determine the effect of α - and γ - interferons of pork recombinant- the main active ingredients of the drug Biferon-C, selenium-containing drug Selecore and tissue preparation Aminoceletone, on the microbiocenosis of the reproductive tract, immunobiochemical, oxidative-antioxidant status, nitric oxide levels and the reproductive system of sows. The experiments were carried out in the conditions of the pig breeding enterprise of the Voronezh region on 56 crossbred sows of large white and Landrace breeds, which were taken in the experiment on the 103-105 day of gestation and divided into four groups. Sows of the first group (n= 13) 8-10 days before farrowing were parenterally injected with α - and γ - recombinant pork interferons, the second (n= 15) - α - and γ - interferons in combination with Aminoceletone, the third (n= 14) - α - and γ - interferons in combination with Selector, the fourth (n= 14) - drugs were not prescribed (control). At the beginning of the experiment (before the use of drugs) and on the third or fourth day after farrowing, blood samples were taken from five sows of each group. At the same time and before weaning pigs were sampled cervical mucus to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microbiota. We took into account the onset of farrowing, the nature of the birth course and the postpartum period, the degree of development and safety of pigs, the presence of sows inflammatory processes in the genital organs, fertilization. It was found that the appointment of sows' drugs reduces the pressure of opportunistic and pathogenic microflora, stabilizes the normoflora of the genital tract, increases the immune status, reduces the formation of Malon dialdehyde in the body of animals and manifestations of endogenous intoxication, activation of antioxidant protection, optimization of NOx synthesis, resulting in a decrease in their incidence of postpartum diseases in 1,4-3,2 times, increased weight of pigs at weaning by 4,3-7,9%, increased their safety by 4,5-10,3%, reduced the onset of the sexual cycle by 0,5-1,3 days, the manifestation of a latent endometritis 1,4-3,2 fold increased fertility 9,4-1 1,1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preconceptional presence of microbiota in the female and male reproductive organs suggests that fertilization is taking place in a nonsterile environment and contributes to reproductive success. The concept of embryonic development in a sterile uterus has also been challenged with recent reports of the existence of a microbiome of the placenta, amniotic fluid and the fetal gut in normal, uncomplicated pregnancies. The maternal origins of the microbiota colonising the fetus and its surroundings are unknown as are the mechanisms of maternal-to-fetal transfer. In this review, we aim to highlight the preconception male and female microbiome, the maternal vaginal and gut microbiome during pregnancy and the fetal microbiome, including their possible roles in reproduction, and maternal and neonatal pregnancy outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the past decade, MALDI-TOF MS has been recognized as a fast and robust tool for identification of most bacteria in clinical microbiology. However, the accuracy of this method to identify Neisseria species is still debated, and few data are available about commensal Neisseria species identification. In this study, we assessed two MALDI-TOF MS systems (Bruker Biotyper and Andromas) for the identification of 88, 18, and 29 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, and commensal Neisseria species, respectively. All 88 isolates of N. gonorrhoeae were correctly identified using both systems, and most N. meningitidis and commensal Neisseria species were well identified: only 1/18 isolates of N. meningitidis was misidentified using Bruker Biotyper, and 1 isolate of Neisseria polysaccharea was misidentified as N. meningitidis using both systems. These results strengthen the possibility to use MALDI-TOF MS as a single method for Neisseria identification in routine, with excellent performance for N. gonorrhoeae identification. However, results should be interpreted prudently for N. meningitdis and commensal Neisseria species when isolated from genital and oropharyngeal samples where these both species can coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies revealed that Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacteria “that cause sexually transmitted infections in the world.. Most of these infections are asymptomatic and there is a remarkable relationship between CT infections and male infertility. Therefore, “the present study is established to determine the effect of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on seminal fluid quality in males suffering from infertility compared with fertile males.. “Semen samples were collected from 63 infertile male and 13 fertile male as control group, attending the clinical laboratory for routine seminal fluid analysis. Seminal fluid was analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines, the whole genomic DNA was extracted for molecular study. Real time PCR technique was used to specifically detect the presence of CT DNA in semen samples.” C. trachomatis was demonstrated in the semen samples of 11 (17.4%) infertile male and all control samples were negative. Infertile, infected males had semen samples that showed statistically significant differences in the mean of total sperm count, motility and morphology as compared with fertile uninfected control samples. These differences indicate that chlamydial infection of genital tract could negatively influence the quality of seminal fluid.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated, both in toilet-trained and not-toilet-trained children, the impact of cleaning the genital area with plain water on the false positive rate at urine dipstick, and evaluated which factors could be associated to falsely positive findings. We prospectively enrolled 612 patients consecutively attending our nephro-urological outpatient clinic. Firstly, we performed urine dipsticks on urine samples collected from patients whose genital area had not been cleaned before. Then we collected a second sample from the patients with positive urine dipstick, after their genital area had been cleaned with plain water. The urine dipstick was considered falsely positive if we documented its normalization at urine dipstick made on the urine sample collected after cleaning the genital area. We found a falsely positive urine dipstick in 25.5% of the patients, and more in detail in 22.9% of the not-toilet-trained children, and in 26.6% of the toilet-trained children (p = 0.37). The only factors leading to a significant increased RR to have a false positive were non-retractable foreskin (RR = 4.38; 95% CI, 2.15-8.9; p = 0.0001) and female gender (RR = 2.47; 95% CI, 1.77-3.44; p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Cleaning the genital area with plain water should always be performed before collecting urine samples, even if only a urine dipstick without culture is needed. What is Known: • Cleaning the genital area reduces the urine bacterial contamination rate in populations of toilet-trained pediatric patients. • There are no studies assessing the impact of cleaning the genital area on the quality of the urine dipstick, nor on which factors could affect the urine dipstick findings. What is New: • Falsely positive urine dipstick was found in 25.5% of the 612 prospectively enrolled toilet-trained and not-toilet-trained children. • Non-retractable foreskin and female gender significantly increases the relative risk of falsely positive urine dipsticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recurrence following recommended treatment for bacterial vaginosis is unacceptably high. While the pathogenesis of recurrence is not well understood, recent evidence indicates re-infection from sexual partners is likely to play a role. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and tolerability of topical and oral antimicrobial therapy in male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), and to investigate the impact of dual-partner treatment on the vaginal and penile microbiota. Methods: Women with symptomatic BV (Nugent Score of 4–10 and ≥3 Amsel criteria) and their regular male sexual partner were recruited from Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Women received oral metronidazole 400mg twice daily (or intra-vaginal 2% clindamycin cream, if contraindicated) for 7-days. Male partners received oral metronidazole 400mg twice daily and 2% clindamycin cream topically to the penile skin twice daily for 7-days. Couples provided self-collected genital specimens and completed questionnaires at enrolment and then weekly for 4-weeks. Genital microbiota composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Changes in genital microbiota composition were assessed by Bray-Curtis index. Bacterial diversity was measured by the Shannon Diversity Index. Results: Twenty-two couples were recruited. Sixteen couples (76%) completed all study procedures. Adherence was high; most participants took >90% of prescribed medication. Medication, and particularly topical clindamycin in males, was well tolerated. Dual-partner treatment had an immediate and sustained effect on the composition of vaginal microbiota (median Bray-Curtis score day 0 versus day 8 = 0.03 [IQR 0–0.15], day 0 vs day 28 = 0.03 [0.02–0.11]). We observed a reduction in bacterial diversity of the vaginal microbiota and a decrease in the prevalence and abundance of BV-associated bacteria following treatment. Treatment had an immediate effect on the composition of the cutaneous penile microbiota (median Bray-Curtis score day 0 vs day 8 = 0.09 [0.04–0.17]), however this was not as pronounced at day 28 (median Bray-Curtis score day 0 vs day 28 = 0.38 [0.11–0.59]). A decrease in the prevalence and abundance of BV-associated bacteria in the cutaneous penile microbiota was observed immediately following treatment at day 8. Conclusion: Combined oral and topical treatment of male partners of women with BV is acceptable and well tolerated. The combined acceptability and microbiological data presented in this paper supports the need for larger studies with longer follow up to characterize the sustained effect of dual partner treatment on the genital microbiota of couples and assess the impact on BV recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. Among pregnant women, the infection may cause adverse birth outcomes such as premature rupture of membranes and premature labour. In view of the paucity of information relating to TV among Ghanaian pregnant women, this study investigated its prevalence and associated co-infections among pregnant women.Methods: High vaginal swabs were obtained from 99 pregnant women using sterile cotton swab sticks. Wet preparation, Grams staining, culturing, coagulase and sensitivity testing were carried out to determine the presence of TV and associated microorganisms.Results: The prevalence of TV among the pregnant women was found to be 20.2% (n = 20). Concurring with Trichomoniasis, 75% (n = 15) of participants had other infections such as Candida with prevalence of 53% (n = 8), Proteus infection - 20% (n = 3), Streptococcus infection - 13% (n = 2) and other GNRs and Gonococci having 7% each (n = 1). Moreover, there was 86.9% (n = 86) prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. among study participants. There was statistically significant correlation between TV and Gonococci infection at a correlation co-efficient of 0.107 (P < 0.05) as well as significant correlation between TV and Proteus spp. at a correlation co-efficient of 0.189 (P < 0.05). TV infection was high (60%) among the most sexually active age group (19 to 29 yrs).Conclusion: There was 20.2% prevalence of TV among the pregnant women presenting at the hospitals, with Gonococci and Proteus infections being statistically significant associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower reproductive tract of nonhuman primates is colonized with a diverse microbiota, resembling bacterial vaginosis (BV), a gynecological condition associated with negative reproductive outcomes in women. Our 4 aims were to: (i) assess the prevalence of low Lactobacilli and a BV-like profile in female rhesus monkeys; (ii) quantify cytokines in their cervicovaginal fluid (CVF); (iii) examine the composition and structure of their mucosal microbiota with culture-independent sequencing methods; and (iv) evaluate the potential influence on reproductive success. CVF specimens were obtained from 27 female rhesus monkeys for Gram's staining, and to determine acidity (pH), and quantify proinflammatory cytokines. Based on Nugent's classification, 40% had a score of 7 or higher, which would be indicative of BV in women. Nugent scores were significantly correlated with the pH of the CVF. Interleukin-1ß was present at high concentrations, but not further elevated by high Nugent scores. Vaginal swabs were obtained from eight additional females to determine microbial diversity by rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. At the phylum level, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was low. The relative abundance of Lactobacilli was also low (between 3% and 17%), and 11 other genera were present at >1%. However, neither the microbial diversity in the community structure, nor high Nugent scores, was associated with reduced fecundity. Female monkeys provide an opportunity to understand how reproductive success can be sustained in the presence of a diverse polymicrobial community in the reproductive tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation. Microbiome sequencing allows defining clusters of samples with shared composition. However, this paradigm poorly accounts for samples whose composition is a mixture of cluster-characterizing ones and which therefore lie in between them in the cluster space. This paper addresses unsupervised learning of 2-way clusters. It defines a mixture model that allows 2-way cluster assignment and describes a variant of generalized k-means for learning such a model. We demonstrate applicability to microbial 16S rDNA sequencing data from the Human Vaginal Microbiome Project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vaginal candidiasis is considered as an important public health problem worldwide and its incidence has increased nowadays. In recent years, inappropriate and disproportionate use of antifungal drugs, automedication as well as non compliance have caused drug resistance. Methods: This study aimed at determining the in vitro antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida speciesisolated from female genital tract at Yaoundé Bethesda Hospital in Cameroon. Two hundred and fourthy five women (age range: 15 years to 49 years) attending the hospital were recruited between January and June 2014 in this cross sectional study. Vaginal smears were collected using sterile swabs from each participant and cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenico l 0.5%; identification of Candida spp. was performed following standard methods. The disk diffusion method was used for antifungal susceptibility testing. Results: Out of the 245 vaginal smears collected, 94 (38.4%) strains of yeast were isolates among which 43 (45.7%) were Candida albicans and 51 (54.3%) were non albicans. The highest susceptibility of the isolates was seen for nystatin 62 (83.78%), ketoconazole 61 (82.43%) and fluconazole 60 (81.08%). Conclusion: Despite the noticeable resistance of Candida spp. isolates to miconazole and itraconazole, the results indicate that nystatin, ketoconazole and fluconazole are the drugs of choice for the therapy of vaginal candidiasis in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the performances of two strategies for predicting intrapartum vaginal carriage of group B streptococci (GBS). One strategy was based on an antepartum culture and the other on an intrapartum polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We conducted a prospective observational study enrolling 902 pregnant women offered GBS screening before delivery by two strategies. The Culture-strategy was based on vaginal and rectal cultures at 35–37 weeks’ gestation, whereas the PCR-strategy was based on PCR assay on intrapartum vaginal swab samples. An intrapartum vaginal culture for GBS was used as the reference standard from which the performances of the 2 strategies were evaluated. The reference standard showed a GBS-prevalence of 12%. The culture-strategy performed with a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 91%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 55%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%, and Likelihood ratio (LH+) of 9.2. The PCR-strategy showed corresponding values as sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 97%, PPV of 78%, NPV of 98%, and LH+ of 27.5. We conclude that in a Danish population with a low rate of early-onset neonatal infection with GBS, the intrapartum PCR assay performs better than the antepartum culture for identification of GBS vaginal carriers during labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the composition of the microbial communities that inhabit the human body, known as the ‘microbiome’, is aided by the development of non-culture-dependent DNA sequencing. It is increasingly apparent that the balance of microbial species greatly affects the health of the host. Disturbances in the composition of bacterial communities have been shown to contribute to various disease states, and there is a growing body of evidence that the vaginal microbiota, which is unique to each woman, plays an important role in determining many facets of reproductive health. The purpose of this review is to investigate what is currently known about the composition of the vaginal microbiome, including what is considered ‘normal’ in terms of bacterial species and abundance. We will investigate the impact of vaginal microbiome composition on reproductive outcomes within the context of infertility treatments, and the implications this has been shown to have on assisted reproductive technology procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of bacteria with molecular techniques has enabled the study of low biomass microbiomes in tissues and organs previously considered sterile, such as the endometrium. Subsequently, an abnormal endometrial microbiota has been associated with implantation failure, pregnancy loss, and other gynecological and obstetrical conditions. Further investigation of the reproductive tract microbiome will allow for a better understanding of bacterial communities' role in both physiology and pathophysiology, which in turn impacts the ability to achieve pregnancy and maintain a healthy pregnancy. Here we review the current literature that surrounds the endometrial microbiome and highlight the importance of assessing it as a future tool for improving reproductive outcomes in infertile patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urinary bladder in healthy dogs has dogmatically been considered free of bacteria. This study used culture independent techniques to characterize the healthy canine urinary microbiota. Urine samples collected by antepubic cystocentesis from dogs without urinary infection were used for DNA extraction. Genital tract and rectal samples were collected simultaneously from the same dogs. The V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene was amplified and compared against Greengenes database for OTU assignment and relative abundance for urine, genital, and rectal samples. After excluding 4 dogs with cultivable bacteria, samples from 10 male (M; 1 intact) and 10 female (F) spayed dogs remained. All samples provided adequate genetic material for analysis. Four taxa (Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Sphingobium sp. and Bradyrhizobiaceae) dominated the urinary microbiota in all dogs of both sexes. These taxa were also detected in the genital swabs of both sexes, while the rectal microbiota differed substantially from the other sample sites. Principal component (PC) analysis of PC1 through PC3 showed overlap of urinary and genital microbiota and a clear separation of rectal swabs from the other sample sites along PC1, which explained 44.94% variation. Surprisingly, the urinary microbiota (mean # OTU 92.6 F, 90.2 M) was significantly richer than the genital (67.8 F, 66.6 M) or rectal microbiota (68.3 F, 71.2 M) (p < 0.0001), with no difference between sexes at any sample site. The canine urinary bladder is not a sterile environment and possesses its own unique and diverse microbiota compared to the rectal and genital microbiota. There was no difference between the sexes at any microbiota sample site (urine, genital, and rectal). The predominant bacterial genus for either sex in the urine and genital tracts was Pseudomonas sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vaginal microbiome is increasingly characterized by deep sequencing of universal genes. However, there are relatively few studies of how different specimen collection and sample storage and processing influence these molecular profiles. Here, we evaluate molecular microbial community profiles of samples collected using the HerSwab™ self-sampling device, compared to nylon swabs and under different storage conditions. In order to minimize technical variation, mixtures of 11 common vaginal bacteria in simulated vaginal fluid medium were sampled and DNA extracts prepared for massively parallel sequencing of the cpn 60 universal target (UT). Three artificial mixtures imitating commonly observed vaginal microbiome profiles were easily distinguished and proportion of sequence reads correlated with the estimated proportion of the organism added to the artificial mixtures. Our results indicate that cpn 60 UT amplicon sequencing quantifies the proportional abundance of member organisms in these artificial communities regardless of swab type or storage conditions, although some significant differences were observed between samples that were stored frozen and thawed prior to DNA extraction, compared to extractions from samples stored at room temperature for up to 7 days. Our results indicate that an on-the-market device developed for infectious disease diagnostics may be appropriate for vaginal microbiome profiling, an approach that is increasingly facilitated by rapidly dropping deep sequencing costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule in Candida albicans, can affect the growth of certain microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of farnesol against vaginal Lactobacillus spp., which play a crucial role in the maintenance of vaginal health.Methods: Growth and metabolic viability of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. incubated with different concentrations of farnesol were determined by measuring the optical density of the cultures and with the MTT assay. Morphology of the farnesol-treated cells was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope. In vitro adherence of vaginal Lactobacillus cells treated with farnesol was determined by co-incubating with vaginal epithelial cells (VECs).Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of farnesol for vaginal Lactobacillus spp. was 1500μM. No morphological changes were observed when the farnesol-treated Lactobacillus cells were compared with farnesol-free cells, and 100μM farnesol would reduce the adherence of vaginal Lactobacillus to VECs.Conclusion: Farnesol acted as a potential antimicrobial agent, had little impact on the growth, metabolism, and cytomorphology of the vaginal Lactobacillus spp.; however, it affected their adhering capacity to VECs. The safety of farnesol as an adjuvant for antimicrobial agents during the treatment of vaginitis needs to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Resistance in the sexually transmitted bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium to all recommended therapeutic antimicrobials have rapidly emerged. However, to date, internationally reported resistance surveillance data for M. genitalium strains circulating in Eastern Europe are entirely lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium in four cities in Russia and one in Estonia, 2013–2016. Materials and methods: Consecutive urogenital samples found positive for M. genitalium during diagnostic testing were retrospectively analyzed for resistance-associated mutations in the 23S rRNA and parC genes using pyrosequencing and conventional Sanger sequencing, respectively. Results: In total, 867 M. genitalium positive samples from 2013–2016 were analyzed. Macrolide resistance-associated mutations were detected in 4.6% of the samples from Russia (0.7–6.8% in different cities) and in 10% of the samples from Estonia. The mutations A2059G and A2058G were highly predominating in both Russia and Estonia, accounting together for 90.9% of the cases positive for nucleotide substitutions in the 23S rRNA gene. The rates of possible fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations were 6.2% in Russia (2.5–7.6% in different cities) and 5% in Estonia. The mutations S83I and S83N were the most frequent ones in Russia (24.4% each), whereas D87N highly predominated in Estonia (83.3% of all fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations). Approximately 1% of the samples in both countries harbored both macrolide and possible fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations, with A2058G and S83I being the most frequent combination (37.5%). Conclusions: The prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium was 4.6% and 6.2%, respectively, in Russia, and 10% and 5%, respectively, in Estonia. Despite the relatively low rates of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in these countries, antimicrobial resistance surveillance and testing for resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium positive cases would be valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Amniotic fluid lactate research is based on the hypothesis that a relationship exists between fatigued uterine muscles and raised concentrations of the metabolite lactate, which is excreted into the amniotic fluid during labor. To assess potentially confounding effects of lactate-producing organisms on amniotic fluid lactate measurements, we aimed to determine if the presence of vaginal Lactobacillus species was associated with elevated levels of amniotic fluid lactate, measured from the vaginal tract of women in labor.Material and Methods: Results from this study contribute to a large prospective longitudinal study of amniotic fluid lactate at a teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Amniotic fluid lactate measurement was assessed at the time of routine vaginal examination, after membranes had ruptured, using a hand-held lactate meter StatStripXPress (Nova Biomedical). Vaginal swab samples were collected at the time of the first amniotic fluid lactate measurement and stored for later detection and quantification of Lactobacillus species using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Swab sample and amniotic fluid lactate results were paired and analyzed.Results: The PCR assay detected Lactobacillus species in 48 of 388 (12%) vaginal swab specimens (8% positive, 4% low positive) collected from women in labor after membranes had ruptured. There was no significant difference in median and mean (respectively) amniotic fluid lactate levels with (8.35 mmol/L; 8.95 mmol/L) or without (8.5 mmol/L; 9.08 mmol/L) Lactobacillus species detected.Conclusion: There was no association between the presence or level of vaginal Lactobacillus species and the measurement of amniotic fluid lactate collected from the vaginal tract of women during labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the ability of lactobacilli to persist in the genital area (vagina and labia) of women after the topical application of an ointment containing Lactobacillus gasseri LN40, L. fermentum LN99 and L. rhamnosus LN113. Secondary objectives were to study the presence of Escherichia coli and other contaminants, as well as subjective symptoms in the genital tract.Methods: Eighteen healthy postmenopausal women were randomized to use either the study product or placebo for 10 days. Gynecological examinations, labial and vaginal samplings for bacterial cultivation were performed at baseline (visit 1), after treatment (visit 2), and at a 10-day follow-up (visit 3). LN strains were identified by specific cultivation methods. Subjective symptoms were evaluated by a self-administered questionnaire.Results: The presence of LN99 was shown in 7 out of 8 women in the investigational group at visit 2 (p < 0.001 compared to placebo) and in 5 out of 8 at visit 3 (p < 0.05), whereas the presence of LN113 was shown in 2 out of 8 at visit 2 and in 1 out of 8 at visit 3. Subjective symptoms were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) at visits 2 and 3 for both products.Conclusion: Topical application of a probiotic ointment is feasible to achieve persistence of lactobacilli for at least 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the influence of sexual activity on the composition and consistency of the vaginal microbiota over time, and distribution of Gardnerella vaginalis clades in young women. Methods: Fifty-two participants from a university cohort were selected. Vaginal swabs were self-collected every 3-months for up to 12 months with 184 specimens analysed. The vaginal microbiota was characterised using Roche 454 V3/4 region 16S rRNA sequencing, and G.vaginalis clade typing by qPCR. Results: A Lactobacillus crispatus dominated vaginal microbiota was associated with Caucasian ethnicity (adjusted relative risk ratio[ARRR] = 7.28, 95%CI:1.37,38.57,p = 0.020). An L.iners (ARRR = 17.51, 95%CI:2.18,140.33,p = 0.007) or G.vaginalis (ARRR = 14.03, 95%CI:1.22,160.69, p = 0.034) dominated microbiota was associated with engaging in penile-vaginal sex. Microbiota dominated by L.crispatus, L.iners or other lactobacilli exhibited greater longitudinal consistency of the bacterial communities present compared to ones dominated by heterogeneous non-lactobacilli (p<0.030); sexual activity did not influence consistency. Women who developed BV were more likely to have clade GV4 compared to those reporting no sex/practiced non-coital activities (OR = 11.82, 95%CI:1.87,74.82,p = 0.009). Specimens were more likely to contain multiple G.vaginalis clades rather than a single clade if women engaged in penile-vaginal sex (RRR = 9.55, 95%CI:1.33,68.38,p = 0.025) or were diagnosed with BV (RRR = 31.5, 95%CI:1.69,586.87,p = 0.021). Conclusions: Sexual activity and ethnicity influenced the composition of the vaginal microbiota of these young, relatively sexually inexperienced women. Women had consistent vaginal microbiota over time if lactobacilli were the dominant spp. present. Penile-vaginal sex did not alter the consistency of microbial communities but increased G.vaginalis clade diversity in young women with and without BV, suggesting sexual transmission of commensal and potentially pathogenic clades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background More than 50 different species of bacteria may live in a woman's vagina, with lactobacilli being the predominant microorganism found in healthy adult females. Lactobacilli are relevant as a barrier to infection and are important in the impairment of colonization by pathogens, owing to competitive adherence to adhesion sites in the vaginal epithelium and their capacity to produce antimicrobial compounds. Methods The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the inhibitory capability of Lactobacillus metabolites against Clostridium perfringens , an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium. These bacteria were isolated from vaginal swabs by using culture-dependent approaches, and the bacteriostatic effect of Lactobacillus metabolites, extracted from different isolates, was assessed using a modified E test. Results Among the 100 vaginal swabs, 59 (59%) samples showed the presence of Lactobacillus strains and only one sample contained C. perfringens . Lactobacillus metabolites demonstrated the significant potency of in vitro activity against C. perfringens , with minimal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 15.6 μg/mL to 31.2 μg/mL. Conclusion This study suggests that women without vaginal Lactobacillus strains may be susceptible to nonindigenous and potentially harmful microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in molecular techniques have allowed researchers to identify previously uncultured organisms, which has propelled a vast expansion of our knowledge regarding our commensal microbiota. Interest in the microbiome specific to HIV grew from earlier findings suggesting that bacterial translocation from the intestines is the cause of persistent immune activation despite effective viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Studies of SIV infected primates have demonstrated that Proteobacteria preferentially translocate and that mucosal immunity can be restored with probiotics. Pathogenic SIV infection results in a massive expansion of the virome, whereas non-pathogenic SIV infection does not. Human HIV infected cohorts have been shown to have microbiota distinctive from that of HIV negative controls and efforts to restore the intestinal microbiome via probiotics have often had positive results on host markers. The microbiota of the genital tract may play a significant role in acquisition and transmission of HIV. Modification of commensal microbial communities likely represents an important therapeutic adjunct to treatment of HIV. Here we review the literature regarding human microbiome in HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increasing use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) as the primary means of diagnosing gonococcal infection has resulted in diminished availability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial susceptibility data. We conducted a prospective diagnostic assessment of a real-time PCR assay (NGSNP) enabling direct detection of gonococcal ciprofloxacin susceptibility from a range of clinical sample types.Methods: NGSNP, designed to discriminate an SNP associated with ciprofloxacin resistance within the N. gonorrhoeae genome, was validated using a characterized panel of geographically diverse isolates (n = 90) and evaluated to predict ciprofloxacin susceptibility directly on N. gonorrhoeae-positive NAAT lysates derived from genital (n = 174) and non-genital (n = 116) samples (n = 290), from 222 culture-confirmed clinical episodes of gonococcal infection.Results: NGSNP correctly genotyped all phenotypically susceptible (n = 49) and resistant (n = 41) panel isolates. Ciprofloxacin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae was responsible for infection in 29.7% (n = 66) of clinical episodes evaluated. Compared with phenotypic susceptibility testing, NGSNP demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 95.8% (95% CI 91.5%-98.3%) and 100% (95% CI 94.7%-100%), respectively, for detecting ciprofloxacin-susceptible N. gonorrhoeae, with a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI 97.7%-100%). Applied to urogenital (n = 164), rectal (n = 40) and pharyngeal samples alone (n = 30), positive predictive values were 100% (95% CI 96.8%-100%), 100% (95% CI 87.2%-100%) and 100% (95% CI 82.4%-100%), respectively.Conclusions: Genotypic prediction of N. gonorrhoeae ciprofloxacin susceptibility directly from clinical samples was highly accurate and, in the absence of culture, will facilitate use of tailored therapy for gonococcal infection, sparing use of current empirical treatment regimens and enhancing acquisition of susceptibility data for surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent lower genital tract infection in reproductive-age women worldwide. BV is an ecological disorder of the vaginal microbiota characterized microbiologically by replacement of the lactobacilli, predominant vaginal microbiota. It is characterized by a high rate of relapse in sexual active women, and these patients show three or more relapses each year. A healthy vagina is characterized by hydrogen peroxide and acid-producing lactobacilli, which are crucial to maintain the physiological vaginal ecosystem and their depletion speeds up bacterial overgrowth with pH elevation, salidase and amine production, leading to the observed signs and symptoms of BV. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of long-term vaginal lactobacilli's implementation in restoring and maintaining vaginal microflora and pH and to collect data about prophylactic approach based on probiotics supplementation with lactobacilli.Methods: This is a prospective case-control study, performed between January 2013 and September 2014 at Department of Gynecological Obstetrics and Urologic Sciences of "Sapienza" University of Rome. 250 non-pregnant sexually active women with diagnoses of BV were collected. Patients selected were divided in Group A (125 patients assigned to standard treatment for BV-metronidazole 500 mg orally twice a day for 7 days) and Group B (125 women undergoing the same standard antibiotic regimen followed by vaginal tablets containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54). Patients were evaluated after 2, 6, and 9 months (T0, T2, T6, and T9) in term of recurrences rates of BV, vaginal symptoms, re-establishment of healthy vaginal flora, vaginal pH, and treatment tolerability.Results: Vaginal flora was significantly replaced in Group B patients after 2 months comparing with Group A (p = 0.014). These data were confirmed at 6 and 9 months follow-up: patients that underwent prophylactic therapy with NORMOGIN(®) experienced significantly low rate of recurrences comparing with patients treated with antibiotics only (p < 0.001). During follow-up patients continuing supplementation had significant pH decrease respect to other patients (p < 0.001 at 9 months follow-up visit).Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation with vaginal Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX54 seems to be useful in hindering bacteria growth especially after antibiotic therapy; therefore this intervention may be considered a new prophylactic treatment for preventing recurrence of BV, in particular in high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human microbiome has gained much attention recently for its role in health and disease. This interest has come as we have begun to scratch the surface of the complexity of what has been deemed to be our "second genome" through initiatives such as the Human Microbiome Project. Microbes have been hypothesized to be involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of assisted reproduction since before the first success in IVF. Although the data supporting or refuting this hypothesis remain somewhat sparse, thanks to sequencing data from the 16S rRNA subunit, we have begun to characterize the microbiome in the male and female reproductive tracts and understand how this may play a role in reproductive competence. In this review, we discuss what is known about the microbiome of the reproductive tract as it pertains to assisted reproductive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of reproduction inherently poses unique microbial challenges because it requires the transfer of gametes from one individual to the other, meanwhile preserving the integrity of the gametes and individuals from harmful microbes during the process. Advances in molecular biology techniques have expanded our understanding of the natural organisms living on and in our bodies, including those inhabiting the reproductive tract. Over the past two decades accumulating evidence has shown that the human microbiome is tightly related to health and disease states involving the different body systems, including the reproductive system. Here we introduce the science involved in the study of the human microbiome. We examine common methods currently used to characterize the human microbiome as an inseparable part of the reproductive system. Finally, we consider a few limitations, clinical implications, and the critical need for additional research in the field of human fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the antimicrobial susceptibilities of mycoplasmas in Gabonese men and women. A total of 1,332 men and women were included in the study. Sperm, urine, ureteral or vaginal swabs were collected from the subjects. Mycoplasmas identification and antimicrobial susceptibility to azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, josamycin, pristinamycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were tested using the Mycoplasma IST 2 kit. 794 subjects were positive for Mycoplasma. Respectively, 1.6 % and 82.24 % of subjects were singly infected with M. hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum and 15.87 % had a mixed infection. M. hominis isolates were resistant to erythromycin and had an intermediate (I) to resistant (R) profile to azithromycin and clarithromycin. 84.6 % of M. hominis strains were sensitive (S) to josamycin and pristinamycin. 30.8 % and 92.3 % of M. hominis strains were sensitive to tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively. 76.9 and 84.6 % of M. hominis isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, respectively. The sensitivity rates of U. urealyticum strains were 45.23 %, 47.7 %, 63.84 %, 90.8 % and 92 % for azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, pristinamycin and josamycin, respectively. U. urealyticum strains showed 62.2 % and 79.7 % sensitivity to tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively. The resistance rates to azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin for samples with mixed infection were 72.8 %, 84.7 % and 85.6 %, respectively. Josamycin and pristinamycin were 81.5 % effective on samples with mixed infection. The sensitivity rates of samples with mixed infection to tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were 32 %, 69.6 %, 8.9 % and 18.5 %, respectively. Sub-Saharan Africa needs to use antibiotics rationally, as falling to do so would compromise the management of infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genital tract microbiome is tightly associated with reproductive health. Although many research studies have been performed on the vaginal microbiome, current knowledge of the male microbiome is scarce, and parallel studies examining couples are extremely rare. In this work, we aimed to compare seminal and vaginal microbiomes in couples and to assess the influence of sexual intercourse on vaginal microbiome. The study included 23 couples. Microbiomes of semen and vaginal fluid (pre- and post–intercourse) were profiled using Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing of the V6 region of 16S rRNA gene. Seminal communities were significantly more diverse, but with lower total bacterial concentrations than those of the vagina. Gardnerella vaginalis was predominant in half of the women whose partners had significant leukocytospermia, but only in one of 17 women who had a partner without leukocytospermia. There was significant decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus after intercourse, and high concordance between semen and vaginal samples. Our data support the hypothesis that semen and vaginal microbiomes are in association, inasmuch as the predominance of G. vaginalis in female partners was significantly related to inflammation in male genital tracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesised that circulating monocytes of women with vaginal colonisation with Ureaplasma spp., genital microorganisms known to cause inflammation-driven preterm birth, would elicit a tolerised cytokine response to subsequent in vitro Ureaplasma parvum serovar 3 (UpSV3) stimulation. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry, we found no differences with regard to maternal colonisation status in the frequency of TNF-α-, IL-6-, IL-8- and IL-1β-expressing monocytes in response to subsequent UpSV3 stimulation ( P > 0.10 for all cytokines). We conclude that vaginal Ureaplasma spp. colonisation does not specifically tolerise monocytes of pregnant women towards decreased responses to subsequent stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three isolates of a bacterium recovered from human endometrium using conventional culture methods were characterized biochemically and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Isolates were non-motile, obligately anaerobic, non-spore forming, asaccharolytic, non-cellulolytic, indole positive, Gram positive rods. Cell wall fatty acid profiling revealed C 14:0 , C 16:0 , C 18:2 ω6, 9c , C 18:1 ω9c and C 18:0 to be the major fatty acid composition. The DNA mol % G+C was determined to be 44.2%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed only 91% sequence similarity with the closest cultivated bacterial isolate, Saccharofermentans acetigenes . Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, all three isolates are considered to be members of the same species and data suggest it represents a novel genus and species in the order Clostridiales with an association with Clostridium rRNA cluster III within the family Ruminococcaceae . We propose the name, Mageeibacillus indolicus gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is BAA-2120 T and CCUG 59143 T . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research is ongoing to develop multipurpose vaginal rings to be used continuously for contraception and to prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Contraceptive vaginal rings (CVRs) are available in a number of countries and are most of the time used intermittently i.e. three weeks out of a 4-week cycle. Efficacy trials with a dapivirine-containing vaginal ring for HIV prevention are ongoing and plans to develop multi-purpose vaginal rings for prevention of both HIV and pregnancy have been elaborated. In contrast with the CVRs, multi-purpose vaginal rings will have to be used continuously. Women who continuously use a CVR will no longer have menses. Furthermore, some safety aspects of CVR use have never been studied in-depth in the past, such as the impact of the vaginal ring on the vaginal microbiota, biofilm formation and induction of inflammation. We studied acceptability and these novel aspects of safety in Rwandan women. Although significant progress has been made over the past decade, Rwanda still has a high unmet need for contraception (with 47% unplanned births) and a generalized HIV epidemic, and CVRs are not yet available. Methods: We will conduct an open label, single centre, randomized controlled trial. A total of 120 HIV-negative women will be randomized to intermittent CVR use (to allow menstruation) or continuous CVR use. Women will be followed for a maximum of 14 weeks. In parallel, we will conduct a qualitative study using in-depth interview and focus group discussion methodology. Discussion: In addition to evaluating the safety and acceptability of intermittent and continuous CVR use in Rwandan women, we hope that our findings will inform the development of future multipurpose vaginal rings, will prepare Rwandan study populations for future clinical trials of multipurpose vaginal rings, and will pave the way for introduction of CVRs on African markets. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01796613. Registered 14 February 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis has developed the potential to contaminate table eggs internally, by colonization of the chicken reproductive tract and internalization in the forming egg. The serotype Enteritidis has developed mechanisms to colonize the chicken oviduct more successfully than other serotypes. Until now, the strategies exploited by Salmonella Enteritidis to do so have remained largely unknown. For that reason, a microarray-based transposon library screen was used to identify genes that are essential for the persistence of Salmonella Enteritidis inside primary chicken oviduct gland cells in vitro and inside the reproductive tract in vivo. A total of 81 genes with a potential role in persistence in both the oviduct cells and the oviduct tissue were identified. Major groups of importance include the Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2, genes involved in stress responses, cell wall, and lipopolysaccharide structure, and the region-of-difference genomic islands 9, 21, and 40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in molecular tools to characterize the microbiome have led to the discovery of unique roles for microbes in human disease. Findings that the female genital microbiome can influence HIV acquisition and prevention emphasize the importance of microbiome analysis in clinical trials that assess the efficacy of HIV prevention interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infection is Chlamydia trachomatis. The aim of this study is to investigate the early events in colonization of this bacterium within the murine genital tract. Procedures: An in vivo animal body imaging technology was used to track fluorophore labeled C. muridarum elementary bodies (EBs) inoculated intravaginally in C57BL/6 mice during the first 24 h of infection. Results: Ascension of viable EBs was observed (1) to be localized to the lower regions of the murine genital tract within the first 24 h post challenge and (2) was dose independent during this early exposure period. Molecular detection revealed enhanced bacterial load in lower regions of the genital tract with increasing bacterial load in the upper region beginning 12 h post inoculation. Conclusion: This study provides additional insight into chlamydial colonization in the murine genital tract during the first 12-24 h following inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify microbes prevalent in the genital tract of pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to assess the susceptibility of the microbial isolates to a range of antibiotics to determine appropriate antibiotics for treating cases of PPROM in resource-limited settings. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken involving women with (n = 105) and without (n = 105) a confirmed diagnosis of PPROM admitted to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, southeast Nigeria, between January 1, 2011, and April 30, 2013. Endocervical swabs were collected from all participants and examined microbiologically. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion. Results Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus , and Escherichia coli were significantly more prevalent among women with PPROM than among those without PPROM ( P < 0.01). Among the antibiotics considered safe to use during pregnancy, the bacteria were most sensitive to ampicillin-sulbactam, cefixime, cefuroxime, and erythromycin. Conclusion For the first 48 hours, women with PPROM should receive an intravenous dose combining ampicillin-sulbactam, cefixime, cefuroxime, or erythromycin with metronidazole followed by oral administration of the chosen antibiotic combination to complete a 7-day course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on several research papers about sexual medicine. Topics discussed include co-infection of genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HIV in a mouse model, sexual frequency and egalitarianism in marriage, and chronic human Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization of the genital tract.

Ureaplasma urealyticum is an opportunistic pathogen during pregnancy and in newborns. Other clinical problems related to U. urealyticum infections are: no susceptibility to cell wall-active drugs, limits of antibiotic treatment in pregnancy, and spread of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the results of antimicrobial susceptibility against U. urealyticum from various countries are few and controversial. The antimicrobial susceptibility of U. urealyticum, isolated from cervical swabs and collected from outpatient childbearing-aged women in Italy from 2009 to 2012, was performed against fluoroquinolones, macrolides, streptogramin and tetracyclines, using an available biochemical commercial kit and a specific solid culture medium, to improve the therapeutic management of these pathogenic agents. Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 49.4% of samples, but significant bacterial load was revealed in 29.8%. In vitro tetracyclines showed the best activity against U. urealyticum, followed by streptogramin, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper provides a summary of the philosophy of modern concepts on venereology, the control and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There is a basis in professional education, based on evidence based medicine. From that follows a much wider dissemination to the public on the personal and community aspects of STIs. The World Wide Web has had profound effects on rapid developments in this field. STIs are more frequent in some groups in the general population. Epidemiological trends in STIs from the United States and Europe are described. Interventions to prevent the spread of STIs not only by changing personal preventive behavior but through research based on applied medical science, such as developments in chemotherapy and vaccines, already efficacious to prevent hepatitis A and B and some genital human papilloma virus infections, should be pursued. Venereology, as a major component of dermatovenereology, not only encompasses all of pathology, internal medicine, and therapeutics, but also, most importantly, sexual behavior and its consequences as part of humanity. It also has a major role in community medicine and public health, where the world of medicine meets politics and the media. Sexually transmitted infections have always affected human beings. If STIs are not prevented, not only are there the immediate consequences requiring medical intervention, but also long term results of chronic morbidity, such as infertility in women and congenital syphilis, and in some instances, such as syphilis, viral hepatitis, genital human papilloma virus infection and its neoplastic sequaelae, and HIV/AIDS, an early death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chlamydia trachomatis, as an obligate intracellular parasite, usually causes asymptomatic genital tract infections in both men and women with several complications. The role of C. trachomatis infection in the secretion of a number of interleukins (ILs) from epithelial cells has been established by in vitro studies performed on various cell lines. The aim of this study was to detect the seminal levels of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17 in men with asymptomatic chlamydia infection. Our case group study included 50 semen samples being PCR-positive for C. trachomatis from 585 semen samples and the ELISA method was applied for detection of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17. Our results demonstrated that the semen levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were significantly increased, while IL-12 was decreased in C. trachomatis-infected patients. According to these results, it may be concluded that the increased and decreased semen levels of IL-10 and IL-12, respectively, lead to impaired immune responses against C. trachomatis. Increased semen levels of IL-17 may also be associated with the pathogenesis of C. trachomatis infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coryneform bacteria constitute an important segment of male urogenital microbiota. They have been generally considered as saprophytes, although some species have been associated with prostatitis as well. At the same time, biofilm infections have been suspected as a cause of prostatitis. Objective: To identify a set of coryneform bacteria isolated from semen of either healthy men or prostatitis patients applying different methods to reveal inter-assay variability and to determine their ability of adhesion and biofilm production. Design: Coryneform bacteria were identified by API Coryne 2.0 biochemical identification system and 16S rDNA sequencing using different primer sets. Quantitative assessment of biofilm production was performed using crystal violet binding assay method. Results: The most common species were Corynebacterium seminale, C. minutissimum, and Dermabacter hominis. Altogether 14 species and related genera were found. We observed the best inter-assay agreement when identifying C. seminale. Biofilm was observed in 7 out of 24 strains. The biofilm-producing strains belonged to Arthrobacter cumminsii, Dermabacter hominis, C. minutissimum, and Actinomyces neuii. No differences were found between the strains originating from prostatitis patients and healthy men. Dermabacter hominis strains were more potent biofilm producers than C. seminale strains (p=0.048). Conclusions: We can conclude that a wide variety of coryneform bacteria can be found from the male genital tract, although their exact identification is problematic due to insufficient representation in databases. Nearly one third of the strains are able to form biofilm that may give them an advantage for surviving several hostand treatment-related conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and antibiotic sensitivity of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis strains cultured from the genital discharges of sexually active individuals who attended our STD outpatient service. Samples were taken with universal swab (Biolab®, Budapest, Hungary) into the Urea-Myco DUO kit (Bio-Rad®, Budapest, Hungary) and incubated in ambient air for 48 h at 37 °C. The determination of antibiotic sensitivity was performed in U9 and arginin broth using the SIR Mycoplasma kit (Bio-Rad®, Budapest, Hungary) under the same conditions. Between 01.05.2008 and 31.12.2011, 373/4,466 (8.35 %) genito-urethral samples with U. urealyticum and 41/4,466 (0.91 %) genito-urethral samples with M. hominis infection were diagnosed in sexually active individuals in the National STD Center, Semmelweis University. U. urealyticum was isolated in 12.54 % in the cervix and 4.1 % in the male urethra, while M. hominis was isolated in 1.33 % in the cervix and 0.51 % in the male urethra. The affected age group was between 21 and 60 years old. U. urealyticum strains were sensitive to tetracycline (95.9 %), doxycycline (97.32 %), and azithromycin (85.79 %), and resistant to erythromycin (81.23 %), clindamycin (75.06 %), and ofloxacin (25.2 %). Cross-resistance occurred in 38.71 % of patients to erythromycin and clindamycin. M. hominis strains were sensitive to clindamycin, ofloxacin, and doxycycline in more than 95 %, to tetracycline in 82.92 %, and no cross-resistance was detected among the antibiotics. Our study confirms that the continuously changing antibiotic resistance of ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas should be followed at least in a few centers in every country, so as to determine the best local therapy options for sexually transmitted infection (STI) patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the uteri of camels and cows slaughtered in north-eastern Nigeria with the aim of determining the reproductive efficiency of these species. Three hundred and twenty-two (322) camelids and 180 bovine uteri were examined bacteriologically and pathologically using standard protocols. The result showed that there were 86 bacteria isolated from camels with Staphylococcus aureus (46.5 %), Escherichia coli (33.8 %), and other coliform species (18.6 %) being the most prominent isolates; while in the cow, there were 92 isolates, with E. coli (57.6 %), S. aureus (15.2 %), and Streptococcus pyogenes (12.0 %) being the most frequently isolated. The major isolates from both species were similar, but higher isolation rate ( p < 0.05) was observed in cows (51.1 %) than in camels (26.7 %). The relative risks (RR) of infection with E. coli and S. pyogenes were significant ( p < 0.05) in cows than in the camelids. The gross pathological lesions observed were lower (17.4 %) in camels compared to cows (19.4 %). These lesions include mucometra ( n = 25, 7.8 %; n = 21, 11.7 %) and endometrial erosions ( n = 31, 9.6 %; n = 5, 2.8 %) being the most commonly observed in camels and cows, respectively, but the RR of occurrence of endometrial erosion was significant ( p < 0.05) in camels than in cows. The histopathological lesions observed include cellular vacuolation in endometrial glands, sloughing of endometrial epithelium, and neutrophilic infiltration, among others. It was concluded that S. aureus and E. coli were the major bacterial pathogens colonizing the uterine environment in these species, commonly associated with inflammatory and degenerative changes. These disorders may have far-reaching implications for lowered reproductive efficiency in these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and has been recognized as an important bacterial infection in ruminants. Although MAP has been detected in semen and within the reproductive organs of bulls, the bacterial distribution and shedding patterns are currently not well characterized. Our investigation was performed to detect and quantify MAP in faeces, semen and blood samples repeatedly drawn from a naturally infected but asymptomatic 18-month-old German Simmental breeding bull candidate over a period of 3 years (June 2007-November 2010). Qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used to correlate the presence and matrix-specific amounts of MAP. In total, 65 sampling dates were selected. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis was detected intermittently in all matrices with MAP-free intervals of up to 18 weeks by an IS900 semi-nested PCR. The number of MAP-positive results from semen and blood samples was higher than from faecal samples. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction detected the highest MAP contents in faeces (103-106 MAP/g), while lower amounts were found in semen and blood samples (102-105 MAP/ml). Although no significant agreement was calculated between the presence of MAP in faeces and blood, a statistically significant positive correlation between its occurrence in semen and blood was determined ( r = 0.38, P < 0.05, n = 29). The present study contributes to a more detailed understanding of MAP distribution patterns in faeces, semen and blood of a subclinically infected breeding bull candidate. It highlights the possible role of breeding bulls as a source of MAP transmission and indicates the need for further monitoring and hygienic measures to prevent the spread of the infection via semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This manuscript describes the male genital tract microbiota and the significance of it on the host''s and his partner''s health. Microbiota exists in male lower genital tract, mostly in urethra and coronal sulcus while high inter-subject variability exists. Differences appear between sexually transmitted disease positive and negative men as well as circumcised and uncircumcised men. Upper genital tract is generally germ-free, except in case of infections. Prostatitis patients have frequently abundant polymicrobial communities in their semen, expressed prostatic secretion and/or post-massage urine. Coryneform bacteria have ambivalent role in male urogenital tract being frequently commensals but sometimes associated with prostatitis and urethritis. Interactions between male and female genital tract microbiota are highly likely yet there are very scarce studies on the couples’ genital tract microbiota. Increase of bacterial vaginosis-type microbiota and coliforms are the most typical findings in men while the adverse effect of male genital tract bacteria on in vitro fertilization and pregnancy outcome has also been indicated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]