Chlamydia Research Articles

Risks of Vaginally and Sexually Transmitted Infections With Contraceptive Vaginal Rings Compared to Oral Contraceptives [ID 2683643

INTRODUCTION: Use of combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR) has been found to upregulate immune-related genes in the endocervix and mediators within the cervicovaginal fluid. Attachment and infection rates of certain pathogens within this tract can vary based on hormones within the local environment. Rat studies have shown treatment with estrogen prior to chlamydial infections was protective. Continued clinical safety analyses are critical as CCVR use continues to increase. We calculated risk of vaginal infections associated with CCVR compared to oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) via retrospective chart review. METHODS: De-identified data was collected from TriNetX. Using ICD-10 and RxNorm codes, study cohorts included women receiving etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol CCVRs without segesterone, versus women on OCPs without vaginal hormones. Cohorts (n=30,796 each) were matched for age, race, and ethnicity. Statistical analysis within 1 year of CCVR placement used risk ratios (RRs); P<.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Combined contraceptive vaginal rings showed increased risk of HSV-2 (RR 1.790; P<.0005), acute vaginitis (RR 1.722; P<.0005), subacute/chronic vaginitis (RR 1.904; P<.0005), subacute/chronic vulvitis (RR 1.969; P<.0005), acute vulvitis (RR 1.894; P<.0005), candidiasis (RR 1.464; P<.0005), trichomoniasis (RR 2.162; P<.0005), and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (RR 2.984; P<.0005). Combined contraceptive vaginal rings showed a decreased risk of chlamydia (RR 0.760; P=.047). There were no differences in risk of gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, or anogenital warts between the CCVR and OCP cohorts CONCLUSION: In this chart review, women using CCVRs had increased risks for HSV-2, vaginitis, vulvitis, PID, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis and decreased risk of chlamydia compared to OCPs. Further study of local hormone delivery on the vaginal mucosa is warranted.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections among men who have sex with men in Durban, South Africa.

Despite significant research on the prevalence of STIs in South African men who have sex with men (MSM), recent data on the prevalence and risk factors for curable STI infections among this key populations are limited. This study determined the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections among MSM. The sample consisted of 200 MSM resident in Durban. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and urine samples were collected and tested for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis were 3.0% and 6.0%, respectively. Younger age was significantly associated with testing positive for C. trachomatis (p=0.037). Being between the ages of 30-39 years old reduced the risk of acquiring C. trachomatis infection (OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.0120-0.7564, p=0.026). In addition, being circumcised reduced the risk of contracting C. trachomatis (adjusted OR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.0005-0.3516, p=0.01). However, having between 2-4 sex partners increased the risk of testing positive for C. trachomatis (adjusted OR: 107.45, 95% CI: 1.3467-8573.3130, p=0.036). The following factors were significantly associated (p<0.05) with testing positive for N. gonorrhoeae infection: cohabiting with sex partner, engaging in group sex, and drug use. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to accessing health care in the studied population. This study provided evidence of high rates of C. trachomatis infection among MSM resident in Durban. Based on the results, South African MSM, especially the young MSM population, should be given priority when delivering intervention programs to prevent STIs.

Dominance of Fractional-Order Derivatives in the Transmission of the Chlamydia Disease Model

In this article, we study a mathematical model of the chlamydia infection caused by sexual contact. To analyze this model, we combine the homotopy perturbation Laplace transform technique with the fractional order formulation in the Caputo sense. This article illustrates the increased degree of freedom that fractional derivative models allow to investigate disease dynamics for a given data set and to highlight memory effects. The existence, singularity, and consistency of the problem are also examined in the research. The unique parameter estimation for each value of the noninteger order makes this study more useful.

Screening of single nucleotide polymorphism in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and tetraspanin CD63 genes in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected tubal ectopic pregnancy patients.

Tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies have suggested that infection-induced inflammatory responses are major risk factors for EP. The aim of the present study was to find an association between MMP2 and CD63 gene variants and risk of EP during Chlamydia trachomatis infection in an Indian population. Fallopian tube samples of 120 EP and 120 tubal ligation women were collected. C. trachomatis was detected by PCR. The genotyping of MMP2 (rs17859882 G/T, rs7201A/C) and CD63(rs2231464 C/T, rs376086542 A/G) gene variants was done by qualitative real-time PCR using allelic discrimination method (VIC- and FAM-labeled). The frequency of GG or GT genotype of MMP2 G/T polymorphism (rs17859882) was 66.6% in infected EP and 36.7% in uninfected EP and 22% in tubal ligation controls (P < 0.0001), while the frequency of AC or CC genotype of MMP2 A/C polymorphism (rs7201) was 66.6% in infected EP and 20.6% in uninfected EP and 13.5% in tubal ligation controls (P < 0.0001). The frequency of CT or TT genotype of CD63 C/T polymorphism (rs2231464) was 74% in infected EP and 21.8% in uninfected EP and 11.8% tubal ligation controls (P < 0.0001), while the frequency of AG or GG genotype of CD63 A/G polymorphism (rs376086542) was 48.1% in infected EP and 41.3% in uninfected EP and 18.6% tubal ligation controls (P < 0.0001). The present study revealed a strong association between the presence of gene variants MMP2 (rs17859882 G/T, rs7201A/C) and CD63 (rs2231464 C/T, rs376086542 A/G) and risk of tubal EP during C. trachomatis infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis Seroassays Used in Epidemiologic Research: A Narrative Review and Practical Considerations.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to adverse reproductive health outcomes. CT prevalence estimates are primarily derived from screening using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). However, screening guidelines in the United States only include particular subpopulations, and NAATs only detect current infections. In contrast, seroassays identify past CT infections, which is important for understanding the public health impacts of CT, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility. Older seroassays have been plagued by low sensitivity and specificity and have not been validated using a consistent reference measure, making it challenging to compare studies, define the epidemiology of CT, and determine the effectiveness of control programs. Newer seroassays have better performance characteristics. This narrative review summarizes the "state of the science" for CT seroassays that have been applied in epidemiologic studies and provides practical considerations for interpreting the literature and employing seroassays in future research.

Characterization of CD4+ t cell subsets during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection

Characterization of CD4+ T cell subsets in a stressed mouse model during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection. Katrina Davis, Tesfaye Belay. Department of Applied Sciences and Mathematics. Chlamydia genital infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is highly prevalent in low socioeconomic status populations. Whether stress is a risk factor for the high incidence of chlamydia remains to be investigated. CD4+ T cells are the major immune cells that fight chlamydia genital infection; however, the dynamics of CD4+ T cells during stressful conditions and chlamydia infection are unclear. The profiles of CD4+ T cell signature cytokines: T helper 1 (IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Thelper2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), Thelper17(IL-17), and Treg (IL-10). Mice were stressed for 5 minutes daily for 21 days and infected with 1x 105 IFU/ml of Chlamydia muridarum intravaginally. Non-stressed mice were infected as controls. Mice were sacrificed 7 days post-infection, the spleen and lymph nodes were harvested, and T cells were purified and proliferated for 72 h. Determination of the levels of cytokines in culture supernatants of T cells from stressed and non-stressed mice are underway for poster presentation. Supported by the NIH grant # 1R15AI124156-01 awarded to BSU

Low-cost conventional PCR techniques enable simultaneous detection of bacterial sexually transmitted infections with enhanced sensitivity and specificity

PurposeNeisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH), the three most common treatable bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide can lead to many complications if remain untreated. Screening of high-risk population with highly sensitive methods will lead to significant improvement in patient outcomes and will prevent downward transmission. The advantages of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay are not only high sensitivity and specificity, but also detection of multiple organisms in a single reaction which reduce the result turn-around time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a multiplex PCR assay method targeting 16S rRNA gene for simultaneous detection of NG, CT and MH infection along with their trend and occurrence among high-risk population in Assam, Northeast India. MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken, where a total of 200 randomly selected patients from high-risk population were included. After validation of singleplex PCR, Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) was performed along with the traditional culture method for NG. Results & conclusionThe overall agreement of M-PCR with singleplex PCR was very high (100%). The occurrence of STI was found to be very high (101/200; 50.5%). Furthermore, co-infection was detected in 10/200; 5%) individuals. Infection was more common among young individuals (p < 0.05) and males out-numbered females (p < 0.05). The most common organism detected was CT (42/200; 21%) followed by NG (41/200; 20.5%) and MH (20/200; 10%). The M-PCR assay workflow is simple, cost effective and can be used in routine diagnostic laboratories with basic molecular facilities.

A TriAdj-Adjuvanted Chlamydia trachomatis CPAF Protein Vaccine Is Highly Immunogenic in Pigs.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Despite effective antibiotics for Ct, undetected infections or delayed treatment can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, and chronic pelvic pain. Besides humans, chlamydia poses similar health challenges in animals such as C. suis (Cs) in pigs. Based on the similarities between humans and pigs, as well as their chlamydia species, we use pigs as a large biomedical animal model for chlamydia research. In this study, we used the pig model to develop a vaccine candidate against Ct. The vaccine candidate consists of TriAdj-adjuvanted chlamydial-protease-like activity factor (CPAF) protein. We tested two weekly administration options-twice intranasal (IN) followed by twice intramuscular (IM) and twice IM followed by twice IN. We assessed the humoral immune response in both serum using CPAF-specific IgG (including antibody avidity determination) and also in cervical and rectal swabs using CPAF-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs. The systemic T-cell response was analyzed following in vitro CPAF restimulation via IFN-γ and IL-17 ELISpots, as well as intracellular cytokine staining flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that while the IN/IM vaccination mainly led to non-significant systemic immune responses, the vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic if administered IM/IN. This vaccination strategy induced high serum anti-CPAF IgG levels with strong avidity, as well as high IgA and IgG levels in vaginal and rectal swabs and in uterine horn flushes. In addition, this vaccination strategy prompted a pronounced cellular immune response. Besides inducing IL-17 production, the vaccine candidate induced a strong IFN-γ response with CD4 T cells. In IM/IN-vaccinated pigs, these cells also significantly downregulated their CCR7 expression, a sign of differentiation into peripheral-tissue-homing effector/memory cells. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the strong immunogenicity of the IM/IN-administered TriAdj-adjuvanted Ct CPAF vaccine candidate. Future studies will test the vaccine efficacy of this promising Ct vaccine candidate. In addition, this project demonstrates the suitability of the Cs pre-exposed outbred pig model for Ct vaccine development. Thereby, we aim to open the bottleneck of large animal models to facilitate the progression of Ct vaccine candidates into clinical trials.

Characterization of genital chlamydia trachomatis infection among women attending infertility and gynecology clinics in Hunan, China

BackgroundGenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a major public health issue worldwide. It can lead to cervicitis, urethritis, and infertility. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of genital C. trachomatis infection among women attending to the infertility and gynecology clinics.MethodsEndocervical swabs were collected from 8,221 women for C. trachomatis nucleotide screening and genotyping, while serum samples were collected for C. trachomatis pgp3 antibody determination using luciferase immunosorbent assays.ResultsHigh C. trachomatis DNA prevalence (3.76%) and seroprevalence (47.46%) rates were found, with genotype E (27.5%) being the most prevalent. C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutation was associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (odds ratio [OR] = 6.033, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.219–39.185, p = 0.045). No significant differences in C. trachomatis seroprevalence rates were observed between women with detectable C. trachomatis DNA in the infertility and routine physical examination groups (86.67% vs. 95%, p > 0.05); however, among women with negative C. trachomatis DNA, the former group had a markedly higher seroprevalence than the latter group (56.74% vs. 20.17%, p < 0.001). C. trachomatis DNA, but not pgp3 antibody, was significantly associated with CIN (OR = 4.087, 95% CI = 2.284–7.315, p < 0.001).ConclusionOur results revealed a high prevalence, particularly seroprevalence, of C. trachomatis among women with infertility. Furthermore, we found an association between C. trachomatis omp1 sense mutations and CIN. Therefore, C. trachomatis serves as a risk factor for CIN.

Spectroscopic Determination and In vitro Bioequivalence Studies of Different Amoxicillin Capsule Brands

Amoxicillin is an aminopenicillin antibiotic, used in the treatment of several infections resulting from susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative, such as pneumonia, acute otitis media, acne vulgaris, bacterial endocarditis, streptococcal pharyngitis, urinary tract, Lyme borreliosis, Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori, chlamydia, and odontogenic infections. The study aimed to determine the in-vitro bioequivalence of amoxicillin capsules from various brands using physicochemical and spectroscopic parameters. Weight uniformity, friability, disintegration, dissolving tests, and UV spectroscopy were used to determine the in-vitro bioequivalence of different brands of amoxicillin capsules. The weight variation for all the capsules showed compliance with the USP specifications (≤10% weight deviation). All brands complied with the USP/BP specification for the disintegration test, as disintegration time ranged from 7 to 12 minutes. The dissolution profile of the innovator and the generic brands showed a percentage release from 80.81 – 89.11% within 30 minutes. The first-order kinetics, t1/2 and k of amoxicillin released ranged from 16.01 – 27.11 min and 2.56 – 4.33 x 10-2 min-1 respectively. A straight-line graph was obtained as a calibration curve of amoxicillin. UV absorption spectrum showed four distinctive peaks at 240, 275, 320, and 360 nm, with the maximum at 240 nm, while the percentage content of amoxicillin ranged from 90.58 ± 1.38 to 98.74 ± 0.97%. This result complied with the BP and USP specifications. Hence, there was a strong correlation between the release rate constant, k, and time since values were ≥ 0.8087 compared with the innovator and other brands.

Underlying Reasons for Primary Care Visits Where Chlamydia Testing Was Performed in the United States, 2019 to 2022.

In the United States, most chlamydia cases are reported from non-sexually transmitted disease clinics, and there is limited information focusing on the reasons for chlamydia testing in private settings. These analyses describe clinical visits to primary care providers where chlamydia testing was performed to help discern between screening and diagnostic testing for chlamydia. Using the largest primary care clinical registry in the United States, the PRIME registry, chlamydia tests were identified using Current Procedural Terminology procedure codes and categorized as diagnostic testing for sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related symptoms, screening for chlamydia, or "other," based on Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision Evaluation and Management codes selected for visits. Of 120,013 clinical visits with chlamydia testing between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, 70.4% were women; 20.6% were with STI-related symptoms, 59.9% were for screening, and 19.5% for "other" reasons. Of those 120,013 clinical visits with chlamydia testing, the logit model showed that patients were significantly more likely to have STI-related symptoms if they were female than male, non-Hispanic Black than non-Hispanic White, aged 15 to 24 years than aged ≥45 years, and resided in the South than in the Northeast. It is important to know what proportion of chlamydial infections is identified through screening programs and to have this information stratified by demographics. The inclusion of laboratory results could further facilitate a better understanding of the impact of chlamydia screening programs on the identification and treatment of chlamydia in private office settings in the United States.

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae rectal infections: Interplay between rectal microbiome, HPV infection and Torquetenovirus.

Men having sex with men (MSM) represent a key population, in which sexually transmitted rectal infections (STIs) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) are very common and linked to significant morbidity. Investigating the anorectal microbiome associated with rectal STIs holds potential for deeper insights into the pathogenesis of these infections and the development of innovative control strategies. In this study, we explored the interplay at the rectal site between C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, HR-HPV infection, and the anorectal microbiome in a cohort of 92 MSM (47 infected by CT and/or NG vs 45 controls). Moreover, we assessed the presence of Torquetenovirus (TTV), a non-pathogenic endogenous virus, considered as a possible predictor of immune system activation. We found a high prevalence of HR-HPV rectal infections (61%), especially in subjects with a concurrent CT/NG rectal infection (70.2%) and in people living with HIV (84%). In addition, we observed that TTV was more prevalent in subjects with CT/NG rectal infections than in non-infected ones (70.2% vs 46.7%, respectively). The anorectal microbiome of patients infected by CT and/or NG exhibited a reduction in Escherichia, while the presence of TTV was significantly associated with higher levels of Bacteroides. We observed a positive correlation of HR-HPV types with Escherichia and Corynebacterium, and a negative correlation with the Firmicutes phylum, and with Prevotella, Oscillospira, Sutterella. Our findings shed light on some of the dynamics occurring within the rectal environment involving chlamydial/gonococcal infections, HPV, TTV, and the anorectal microbiome. These data could open new perspectives for the control and prevention of STIs in MSM.

Point-of-care testing in a patient with vaginal discharge

Point-of-care testing refers to tests conducted at or close to the site of patient care. Point-of-care testing has the potential to generate rapid results that enable the clinician to offer prompt and cost-effective treatment. Vaginal discharge is a common complaint in Dermatology and Venereology practice. Analysis of vaginal smear can give valuable information regarding the condition producing vaginal discharge such as vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and gonococcal and chlamydial infections. After getting written, informed consent from the patient, the discharge specimen is collected and pH of the same is assessed. Potassium hydroxide mount, wet mount, and Gram stain study of smears prepared from vaginal discharge help to differentiate between candidiasis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and gonococcal/non-gonococcal infections. Careful collection and preparation of specimen are essential for accurate results.

Surgical Outcomes and Trends in Incidence of Ectopic Pregnancy.

We aimed to evaluate the surgical results for ectopic pregnancy (EP) treated at Fukushima Red Cross Hospital for over a 20-year period from 2002 to 2021. We evaluated the incidence, surgical procedures, site of implantation, amount of hemoperitoneum, and the proportion of cases with risk factors of EP. Two hundred and fifty-nine cases of EP were treated surgically. The incidence of EP seemed to be gradually decreasing in recent years. By pregnancy site, 235 (90.7%) of EPs were tubal pregnancies (TPs), 13 in interstitial pregnancies (IPs), 7 in ovarian pregnancies, and 4 in peritoneal pregnancies. For IPs, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels were statistically higher than with TP and intraperitoneal bleeding was less than with other EP sites. Thirty-nine patients (15.0%) were with massive hemoperitoneum (>500 mL), and laparoscopic surgery was performed in all patients with massive hemoperitoneum except in two patients. The proportion of cases with risk factors for EP such as Chlamydia trachomatis infection or history of smoking was 5.4% and 40.6%, respectively. Epidemiological research shows that the number of patients with chlamydia infection, rates of smokers, or the occurrence of EP with assisted reproductive technology has been decreasing in recent years in Japan. Appropriate surgical intervention should be selected while considering such as facility capabilities, context, and surgeon skill, especially in critical cases, such as cases involving massive hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock. The recent presumed decrease in the occurrence of EP may partly be associated with the decrease in the occurrence of risk factors.

IJCM_95A: To Assess the knowledge and practice regarding reproductive tract infection among female of reproductive age group in Raipur city Chhattisgarh

Background: Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is a global health problem among women, especially in South East Asia Region (SEAR) countries. They may progress to serious complications and cause a high degree of morbidity during the sexually active period of life. More than a million women and infants die of the complications of RTI every year. RTI has become a silent epidemic that devastates women’s lives. Globally, three different types of RTI cause significant amounts of morbidity and mortality among women – sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomonas, and HIV infections); endogenous infections resulting from the overgrowth of organisms normally present in the reproductive tract (such as candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis); and iatrogenic infections related to medical procedures (such as menstrual regulation, abortion or IUD insertion). The presence of STI increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection by three to five times. Objectives: 1- To Assess the knowledge of female what is reproductive tract infection how it occur and spread among residents of Raipur City, Chhattisgarh. 2- To Assess the Factors associated with Knowledge among residents of Raipur City, Chhattisgarh. Methodology: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted in Raipur City of Chhattisgarh state during the month October 23-January 2024. A pre-designed, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Systematic Random sampling technique was adopted to select the 350 Study participants. Results: The majority of subjects were between the age of 15-34 year. Most of the subject were of lower middle class socioeconomic status. Additionally, 37.8% of participants were graduates, 59.4% were married and 70% were unemployed. 30.3% subjects had not heard about Reproductive tract infection. 50.6% subjects don’t know about symptoms of RTI, almost half 49.4% subject don’t have knowledge about effect of RTI on health and only 84% female believed that good personal hygiene prevent RTI. 45.1% subjects did not wash their private part after urination, 10.5% female did not wash their used cloth daily after each use. 63.9% female used feminine hygiene products to maintain personal hygiene, 10% female did not change their cloth daily, 33.1% women did not change their pad/ cloth within every 4–6-hour interval during menstruation. Conclusion: Educate women through camps about genital hygiene practices to reduce the risk of RTI. For increased usage of Sanitary pads, more number of sanitary vending machine should be installed in schools, colleges, and health facilities. Implement awareness programs, promoting regular check- ups and safe sex practices to mitigate the risk of RTI.

Chlamydia muridarum Associated Pulmonary and Urogenital Disease and Pathology in a Colony of Enzootically Infected Il12rb2 Deficient and Stat1 Knockout Mice.

Chlamydia muridarum (Cm), an intracellular bacterium of historical importance, was recently rediscovered as moderately prevalent in research mouse colonies. Cm was first reported as a causative agent of severe pneumonia in mice about 80 y ago, and while it has been used experimentally to model Chlamydia trachomatis infection of humans, there have been no further reports of clinical disease associated with natural infection. We observed clinical disease and pathology in 2 genetically engi- neered mouse (GEM) strains, Il12rb2 KO and STAT1 KO, with impaired interferon-γ signaling and Th1 CD4+ T cell responses in a colony of various GEM strains known to be colonized with and shedding Cm. Clinical signs included poor condition, hunched posture, and poor fecundity. Histopathology revealed disseminated Cm with lesions in pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tissues. The presence of Cm was confirmed using both immunohistochemistry for Cm major outer membrane protein-1 antigen and in situ hybridization using a target probe directed against select regions of Cm strain Nigg. Cm was also found in association with a urothelial papilloma in one mouse. These cases provide additional support for excluding Cm from research mouse colonies.

Investigation of the frequency and relationship between trichomonas infection in the preterm delivery (a case-control study in Amir Al-Momenin Hospital, Semnan).

Preterm delivery is a common complication during pregnancy periods and imposes a high cost on the healthcare system due to the care needs of premature babies. Sexually transmitted infections are one of the effective factors in the occurrence of preterm delivery and the diagnosis and treatment of these infections are effective in reducing complications and preventing preterm delivery. In this study, the role of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis [TV]) infection in preterm delivery has been evaluated. In a prospective case-control study, women with preterm birth were assigned to the case group, and women with full-term delivery on the same day were also assigned randomly to the control group. After receiving the history and physical examination, a sample was taken from the cervix for TV culture. The data were included in the SPSS version 23 software. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. The overall prevalence of this infection was 10%. The prevalence of chlamydial infection was 2% among mothers with full-term delivery and 16.4% among mothers with premature birth, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.021). The logistic regression analysis to determine the effect of Trichomonas infection on premature birth showed that there was the probability of the occurrence of premature delivery increases in mothers with trichomoniasis infection with lower age, higher body mass index, the presence of underlying disease, lower educational level, housewives, lower parity and gravity and having a history of fetus abortion more than 13 times with its occurrence probability occurs in mothers without Trichomonas infection (P = 0.046, Exp (β) =13.266). According to the present results, TV screening for pregnant women, especially in high-risk groups, is emphasized to reduce the incidence of preterm delivery and related complications, especially neonatal complications.

Detection of positive test for Trichomonas vaginalis in oropharyngeal exudate from а patient with pharyngitis by amplification of nucleic acids: clinical case

Trichomoniasis is the most common infectious and inflammatory disease that is mainly sexually transmitted. Trichomonads are a group of flagellated protozoa. Four species of them infect humans: Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomonas tenax, Dientamoeba fragilis and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Among them, only Trichomonas vaginalis is considered pathogenic, while the pathogenicity of other species is debatable. According to the WHO, more than 180 million cases of urogenital trichomoniasis are reported annually. Epidemiology of urogenital trichomoniasis has not been studied enough, but the prevalence of this infection, unlike gonorrhea and urogenital chlamydia, increases in older age groups. In women with pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomonas are detected in 5.6—20.6 % of cases, in pregnant women — in 0.98—32 %, in patients with infertility — in 19.5 %, in men with inflammatory genital diseases — in 0.2—8.5 % of cases. The only reliable evidence of trichomonas etiology of the lesion is laboratory detection of the pathogen in biological materials.We describe a clinical case of a patient K., aged 29 years, with symptoms of pharyngitis, in whom urogenital trichomonads were detected in the pharyngeal and tonsillar exudate by polymerase chain reaction. During a thorough anamnesis, patient K. reported her participation in unprotected oral sex with a partner who had been diagnosed with urogenital trichomoniasis. In view of the above, patient K. was offered an oropharyngeal exudate test for sexually transmitted infections. Pharyngeal and tonsillar exudate obtained with the ThinPrep Non Gyn non-gynecological test gave a positive result for Trichomonas vaginalis using the nucleic acid amplification test. Test results for HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, chlamydia and gonorrhea were negative. The results of the culture testing for opportunistic pathogens were also negative. The oropharyngeal swab with nucleic acid amplification test was positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. Conclusions. Careful collection of the anamnesis of sexual life and examination of swabs from the oropharynx with the help of nucleic acid amplification test made it possible to detect Trichomonas vaginalis in the oral cavity. The patient and her sexual partner were successfully treated. This case indicates that Trichomonas vaginalis can be transmitted orally after unprotected oral sex with a partner who has been diagnosed with urogenital trichomoniasis.Given that the clinical case presented by us and the results of the diagnostic tests are not consistent with the existing recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, further clinical and laboratory studies are advisable to determine the possibility of oral transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis during unprotected oral sex, as well as the likelihood of these pathogenic unicellular parasites being involved in the development/maintenance of inflammatory processes of the oropharyngeal mucosa.

Diverse animal models for Chlamydia infections: unraveling pathogenesis through the genital and gastrointestinal tracts.

Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for infections in various mucosal tissues, including the eyes, urogenital, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tracts. Chronic infections can result in severe consequences such as blindness, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. The underlying mechanisms leading to these diseases involve sustained inflammatory responses, yet thorough comprehension of the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Chlamydial biologists employ in multiple methods, integrating biochemistry, cell biology, and genetic tools to identify bacterial factors crucial for host cell interactions. While numerous animal models exist to study chlamydial pathogenesis and assess vaccine efficacy, selecting appropriate models for biologically and clinically relevant insights remains a challenge. Genital infection models in animals have been pivotal in unraveling host-microbe dynamics, identifying potential chlamydial virulence factors influencing genital pathogenicity. However, the transferability of this knowledge to human pathogenic mechanisms remains uncertain. Many putative virulence factors lack assessment in optimal animal tissue microenvironments, despite the diverse chlamydial infection models available. Given the propensity of genital Chlamydia to spread to the gastrointestinal tract, investigations into the pathogenicity and immunological impact of gut Chlamydia become imperative. Notably, the gut emerges as a promising site for both chlamydial infection vaccination and pathogenesis. This review elucidates the pathogenesis of Chlamydia infections and delineates unique features of prevalent animal model systems. The primary focus of this review is to consolidate and summarize current animal models utilized in Chlamydia researches, presenting findings, discussions on their contributions, and suggesting potential directions for further studies.

Complete genome sequence of Chlamydia psittaci АМК-16, isolated from a small ruminant in the Middle Volga Region, Russia.

We report the complete genome sequence of the Chlamydia psittaci АМК-16, recovered from the aborted caprine fetus during a case of chlamydia infection. This 1,152,497-bp genome with 7,552-bp cryptic plasmid provides novel insights into the genetic diversity of chlamydia agent strains particularly those causing the infection in small ruminants.