Female Genitourinary Tract Research Articles

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity in female rat genito-urinary tract

The quantitative distribution and localization of bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BLI), by an antiserum which cross-reacted fully with gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), was determined by radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry in various regions of female rat urogenital tract. The highest concentration of BLI was found in the vagina, with lower but significant concentrations in the uterus and bladder. Bombesin-like immunoreactive nerve fibres were localized by immunocytochemistry in the smooth muscle layer, around blood vessels and in the submucosa of the vagina and bladder. BLI was separable into two immunoreactive peaks on both gel permeation chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. The major peak emerged exactly in the position of neuromedin C (C-terminal decapeptide of GRP) in both chromatographic systems, while the remaining immunoreactivity emerged close to the position of porcine GRP on gel permeation chromatography, but was easily distinguishable from this on HPLC. This suggests a significant species difference between rat and porcine GRP. Amphibian bombesin and mammalian neuromedin C have previously been shown to have potent biological actions in the rat urogenital tract. The presence of mammalian bombesin-like peptides in nerve fibres of the urogenital tract suggests that they may have a regulatory role in these organs.

In vitro susceptibility of Trichomonas vaginalis to zinc.

The prostate has long been considered to be a site of sequestration of Trichomonas vaginalis. From this reservoir, organisms are thought to be shed during intercourse and produce repeated infections in the female genitourinary tract. Bacteria known to cause prostatitis are inhibited by concentrations of zinc found in uninfected prostatic secretions. The present study demonstrates a similar inhibitory effect of zinc on the growth of T. vaginalis. This finding would suggest that, in otherwise healthy males, the prostate is not likely to be a reservoir for latent infection by these organisms.

The identification of gram-negative anaerobic bacilli isolated from clinical infections

Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli isolated from specimens submitted to the routine diagnostic bacteriology laboratory and regarded as significant pathogens were identified by conventional bacteriological tests; 399 strains isolated from 356 specimens submitted from 332 patients were studied and most were readily identified by the results of a combined set of morphological, biochemical, tolerance and antibiotic disk resistance tests; B. fragilis has particular pathogenic potential and was the commonest species isolated, accounting for greater than 50% of strains. The next commonest was B. asaccharolyticus with 55 strains, and 16 other species or groups were represented by smaller numbers. Many (68%) were from infections related to the gastro-intestinal tract, but there were significant numbers from infections of the male and female genito-urinary tracts, the head, neck and central nervous system and from a variety of soft tissue infections. Most infections were mixed, and a pure culture of a Bacteroides sp. was obtained from only 26% of infections; two or more strains of Bacteroides were recovered from 55 infections. The specific identification of Bacteroides may help the bacteriologist to judge the significance of laboratory findings, influence the patient's management and prognosis and help determine the source of infection.

Reconstructive Problems of the Vagina and the Female Urethra

Treatment of several anatomic anomalies of the female genitourinary tract resulting from developmental problems is described. Urethral problems included in the discussion are distal urethral stenosis and congenitally deficient urethra (epispadias, ectopic ureters, female hypospadias). Also considered are imperforate hymen, absence of the vagina, double vagina, perineal deformities, and cloacal deformities.

Pelvic infections after cesarean section: The role of Haemophilus influenzae

Infections following cesarean section are a serious complication in obstetrics; organisms causing these infections have generally been from the normal flora of the female genitourinary tract. Two cases of postcesarean infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae are reported from our institution. This organism has been considered unusual in this setting, although it has been implicated in nonpuerperal endometritis, salpingitis, and tubo-ovarian abscess, in addition to infections in the postpartum period. A discussion of the pathogenesis and treatment of this infection is presented; clinicians should be aware of the possibility that H. influenzae can be a causative agent in obstetric complications.

Effects of VIP in the female genital tract.

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) has been demonstrated in the female genitourinary tract, localized in neurons which seem to innervate vessels and non-vascular smooth muscle. The present work has demonstrated that the concentration of immunoreactive VIP varies between different mammalian species and within the genital tract of the same species. Using various in vivo and in vitro preparations the peptide was found to have a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the myoelectrical activity and contractility of the uterine muscle, and to increase myometrial blood flow. The findings support the hypothesis that VIP may play a physiological role in the local control of uterine motility and blood flow.

Metronidazole in Anaerobic Infections

Metronidazole which has been widely used for many years in the treatment of trichomoniasis, amoebiasis and giardiasis, has recently been shown to be active against anaerobic bacteria. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and tissue concentrations bactericidal for Bacteroides species are attained after usual dosages given orally or intravenously or higher dosages given rectally (suppository). Prospective studies have demonstrated that the addition of metronidazole to regimens for pre-operative bowel preparation, decreases the frequency of postoperative infection and eliminates anaerobic infection. Similarly, anaerobic infection after acute appendicectomy or hysterectomy has been virtually eliminated by metronidazole given before and up to 1 week after surgery. Metronidazole has been successfully used in the treatment of anaerobic infections of the chest, head, gastrointestinal and female genitourinary tract, and of anaerobic septicaemia and bacteraemia. Metronidazole is the most active agent available against obligate anaerobes and is likely to be of major value in the treatment of serious infections due to these organisms. Although the absence of formal comparative trials in many areas of use makes it difficult to clearly state the relative therapeutic efficacy of metronidazole, compared with other drugs such as clindamycin, chloramphenicol or penicillin, it is nevertheless a very effective agent in the treatment and prevention of anaerobic infections.

Peptidergic (substance P) nerves in the genito-urinary tract

The occurrence and distribution of nerves displaying substance P-like immunoreactivity were investigated in the male and female genito-urinary tract of the guinea-pig, cat and rat. Substance P containing nerve fibers were comparatively more frequent in the guinea-pig than in the cat; they were absent in the rat. Immunoreactive nerve fibers were regularly found in the guinea-pig ureter, the trigonum area of the bladder, the vas deferens and the vagina. Here, the nerves were found in smooth muscle and around blood vessels; occasionally they were also seen just beneath the epithelium. Substance P containing nerves were very scarce in the other locations examined. The distribution of the substance P containing nerve fibers differed from that of adrenergic, cholinergic and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide containing nerves, indicating that the nerves containing substance P form a distinct system.

Epidemiology of anaerobic infections of the female genito-urinary tract, and preliminary results of therapy with erythromycin

SummaryThe frequency of anaerobes with possible clinical significance was studied in healthy pregnant and puerperal women. Only 5% of the 100 healthy pregnant women studied yielded non-sporing anaerobes of the families Bacteroidaceae and Peptococcaceaefrom vaginal swabs. However, the incidence of clinically important anaerobes in 133 puerperal women was 42%. Mixed infections were most frequent. The predominant anaerobic species was Bacteroides oralis. Patients suffering from post-partum endometritis or other infections with local pain and fever were treated with 2 g erythromycin daily for 5 days. The anaerobes isolated were, without exception, sensitive to erythromycin. With therapy, temperature returned to normal within 5 days or less. The beneficial effect of erythromycin therapy, even in mixed infections, may possibly indicate that anaerobes play an important pathogenic role in female genital tract infections.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide occurs in nerves of the female genitourinary tract.

The vasoactive intestinal polypeptide occurs in a richly developed population of nerves that are abundant in the female genitourinary tract. In pigs, cats, rats, and mice these nerves seem to innervate vessels and smooth musculature. Evidence indicates that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide represents a peptide neurotransmitter. Its effects on uterine blood flow and contractility, for example, may be considerable.

Abdominal pain: An analysis of 1,000 consecutive cases in a university hospital emergency room

In the majority of patients in this series of 1,000, acute abdominal pain was due to conditions that required neither surgical intervention nor hospitalization. Eleven of the 1,000 patients had an early missed diagnosis in the emergency clinic for which a subsequent operation was needed, and twenty underwent an operation which subsequent diagnosis showed was not required. All false-negative evaluations occurred in patients with early appendicitis or small bowel obstruction. Most false-positive results were due to acute infections of the female genitourinary tract in patients operated on to exclude appendicitis or a tubo-ovarian abscess. The following factors help identify the high risk patient with an acute surgical abdomen: (1) pain for less than 48 hours; (2) pain followed by vomiting; (3) guarding and rebound tenderness on physical examination; (4) advanced age; (5) a prior surgical procedure. The presence of these features demands careful evaluation and a liberal policy of admission and observation. White blood cell counts, body temperature, and abnormal abdominal roentgenograms may add confirmatory evidence but are not particularly helpful as screening devices.

Bacteroidosis.

Bacteroides infection frequently complicates surgery, instrumentation, or trauma to the alimentary, upper respiratory, and female genitourinary tracts. Bacteroides sp, alone or with other organisms, also may cause infections in the ear, nose, and throat, and other tissues where defeneses are lowered. Foul-smelling pus, sinus drainage, material from an abscess or infected traumatic wound, or a blood culture made because of a suspected anaerobic complication should be subjected to anaerobic study in the laboratory. Treatment of clinical bacteroidosis consists of specific antibiotics, surgery, oxygen under pressure, and appropriate local dressings. Treatment is often more effective if at least two antibiotics are given concurrently, and antibiotic sensitivity tests are recommended to select the best combination.

Differential methods for identification of T-mycoplasmas based on demonstration of urease.

tification. Since T-mycoplasmas are the only mycoplasmas so far known to possess this enzyme, demonstration of urease is specific for their identification. The U-9 urease-color-test fluid medium [5] was the first reliable medium of acceptable sensitivity developed in our laboratory for the detection of T-mycoplasmas in clinical material and for the identification of T-mycoplasmas in primary or secondary mycoplasmal cultures. The U-9 medium is extremely useful in estimating numbers of Tmycoplasmas by direct titration in this medium of T-mycoplasmas in urine specimens, urethral exudates, and broth cultures. The U-9 medium is similarly useful in performing quantitative followup cultures of urine from patients with nongonococcal urethritis before, during, and after treatment [6]. Typical reactions in the U-9 medium are shown in figure 1. Development of a red color by the phenol-red indicator is a positive test for urease. The overall agreement (positive and negative) between urease reactions in U-9 medium and findings from primary cultures on standard agar among 686 clinical specimens was 98.1%. The disagreement consisted of 13 falsely-positive urease reactions that were recognized visually as having been caused by other microorganisms. For specimens from the female genitourinary tract, the inclusion of 2.5 Etg of amphotericin B (Fungizone) per ml of U-9 medium is recommended for the suppression of growth of Candida species and of

Urease color test medium U-9 for the detection and identification of "T" mycoplasms in clinical material.

A urease color test fluid medium (U-9) for the detection and identification of T (T-strain) mycoplasmas in clinical material is described which is sensitive and specific for this group of mycoplasmas. The medium was prepared from commercially available components and contained 95% half-strength, tryptic digest broth (pH 5.5), 4% unheated horse serum, 0.05% highest-purity urea, 0.001% sodium phenolsulfonphthalein, and 1,000 units of potassium penicillin G per ml. The final reaction of medium U-9 was pH 6.0. The overall agreement (positive and negative) between urease reactions in U-9 urease color test medium and culture findings in a standard agar primary culture system among 686 clinical specimens was 98.1%. The disagreement consisted of 13 false-positive urease reactions which were recognized visually as false-positive reactions due to other microorganisms. For specimens from the female genitourinary tract, the inclusion of 2.5 mug of amphotericin B (Fungizone) per ml of medium U-9 is recommended for the suppression of growth of Candida species and filamentous fungi.

Urease Color Test Medium U-9 for the Detection and Identification of “T” Mycoplasmas in Clinical Material

A urease color test fluid medium (U-9) for the detection and identification of T (T-strain) mycoplasmas in clinical material is described which is sensitive and specific for this group of mycoplasmas. The medium was prepared from commercially available components and contained 95% half-strength, tryptic digest broth (pH 5.5), 4% unheated horse serum, 0.05% highest-purity urea, 0.001% sodium phenolsulfonphthalein, and 1,000 units of potassium penicillin G per ml. The final reaction of medium U-9 was pH 6.0. The overall agreement (positive and negative) between urease reactions in U-9 urease color test medium and culture findings in a standard agar primary culture system among 686 clinical specimens was 98.1%. The disagreement consisted of 13 false-positive urease reactions which were recognized visually as false-positive reactions due to other microorganisms. For specimens from the female genitourinary tract, the inclusion of 2.5 mug of amphotericin B (Fungizone) per ml of medium U-9 is recommended for the suppression of growth of Candida species and filamentous fungi.

Cochlear deafness, myopia, and intellectual impairment in an Amish family.

AMONG the advantages which may accrue from study of isolate populations is the delineation of previously unrecognized hereditary disorders, particularly those which are recessive. Because of their high level of inbreeding and their large families, study of Amish communities has disclosed a number of previously unknown entities. These include a form of dwarfism,1a disorder of bile excretion,2a syndrome of severe mental retardation, microphthalmos, and hypopigmentation,3and several neurologic disorders.4,5Also, the malformation affecting the female genito-urinary tract termed hydrometrocolpos has been shown to have a simple genetic basis in some instances.6 In a survey of the mentally retarded among the Amish of Lancaster County, Pa, several new genetically distinct disorders have been uncovered.7This report described four sibs affected with a syndrome consisting of cochlear deafness, myopia, and intellectual impairment. Materials and Methods The case family was ascertained through Amish sources and

Some Clinical Aspects of Developmental Anomalies of the Female Genito-Urinary Tract

Some Clinical Aspects of Developmental Anomalies of the Female Genito-Urinary Tract

The occurrence of micromyces (pleuropneumonia-like organisms) in the female genito-urinary tract; relation to the pH and general flora of the vagina.

Acta Pathologica Microbiologica ScandinavicaVolume 32, Issue 4 p. 468-480 THE OCCURRENCE OF MICROMYCES (PLEUROPNEUMONIA-LIKE ORGANISMS) IN THE FEMALE GENITO-URINARY TRACT Relation to the pH and General Flora of the Vagina1 E. A. Freundt, E. A. Freundt STATENS SERUMINSTITUT, COPENHAGEN (DIRECTOR: J. ØRSKOV, M.D.)Search for more papers by this author E. A. Freundt, E. A. Freundt STATENS SERUMINSTITUT, COPENHAGEN (DIRECTOR: J. ØRSKOV, M.D.)Search for more papers by this author First published: July 1953 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1699-0463.1953.tb00275.xCitations: 24 1 These investigations were carried out with the support of a grant from the P. Carl Petersen Foundation. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume32, Issue4July 1953Pages 468-480 RelatedInformation

Pleuropneumonia-like microorganisms in the female genito-urinary tract.

Pleuropneumonia-like microorganisms in the female genito-urinary tract.

LOCAL THERAPY OF CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS WITH SULFONAMIDE COMPOUNDS

There are now numerous reports in the literature describing good results from the direct application of the sulfonamide compounds in the prophylaxis and treatment of wound infections 1 and in the treatment of pyogenic cutaneous infections. 2 There are a lesser number of reports describing direct treatment with sulfonamide compounds of infections of the mucous membrane, particularly of the mouth, nose and throat, 3 but also of the eye 4 and the female genitourinary tract. In this connection, the field of external ocular infections has been incompletely explored, and at the time of writing no study of the effect of topical application in catarrhal conjunctivitis has appeared. The present study reports the results obtained in 512 cases of acute and chronic catarrhal conjunctivitis with sulfathiazole (2-[paraaminobenzenesulfonamido]-thiazole) and sulfadiazine (2-[paraaminobenezenesulfonamido]pyrimidine) applied in ointment form. METHOD OF TREATMENT The sulfonamide compounds have been used locally in solution, powder, emulsion and ointment forms.