BackgroundInvasive cervical cancer (ICC) is caused by high-risk human papillomavirus types (HR-HPVs) and is usually preceded by a long phase of intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Before invasion, (epi) genetic changes, potentially applicable as molecular markers within cervical screening, occur in HPV host cells. Epigenetic alterations, such as dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression, are frequently observed in ICC. The mechanisms and role of miRNA dysregulation in cervical carcinogenesis are still largely unknown.MethodsWe provide an overview of the studies investigating miRNA expression in relation to ICC progression, highlighting their common outcomes and their weaknesses/strengths. To achieve this, we systematically searched through Pubmed database all articles between January 2010 and December 2017.ResultsFrom the 24 studies retrieved, miR-29a and miR-21 are the most frequently down- and up-regulated in ICC progression, respectively. Microarray-based studies show a small overlap, with miR-10a, miR-20b, miR-9, miR-16 and miR-106 found repeatedly dysregulated. miR-34a, miR-125 and miR-375 were also found dysregulated in cervical exfoliated cells in relation to cancer progression.ConclusionsThe pivotal role of miRNAs in ICC progression and initial development is becoming more and more relevant. Available studies are essentially based on convenience material, entailing possible selection bias, and frequently of small size: all these points still represent a limitation to a wide comprehension of miRNAs relevant for ICC. The targeted approach instead of a genome-wide investigation still precludes the identification of all the relevant miRNAs in the process. The implementation of deep sequencing on large scale population-based studies will help to discover and validate the relation between altered miRNA expression and CC progression for the identification of biomarkers. Optimally, once explored on a miRNome scale, small specific miRNA signatures maybe used in the context of screening.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4590-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

multiplex RT-PCR can be a valuable tool to evaluate the real epidemiology of cervical mycoplasma colonization.

A strong association was found between acute histologic chorioamnionitis and microbial invasion with U. parvum and/or U. urealyticum.

Diffusione dell'infezione da Chlamydia trachomatis nella popolazione giovanile torinese afferente ai consultori familiari SUMMARY Background. Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) is one of the most common STD spread in Europe and in developed Countries. According to international studies, the highest prevalence is observed among asymptomatic, sexually active, young women, 15-24 aged. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for genital infection with C.t. in young women under 25 aged attending to family planning clinics of Turin to active screening programs to be cost-effective in reducing the spread of C.t. infection. Study design. All the unrolled women between June 2008-December 2010, were tested for C.t. infection, using Real time PCR, on a vaginal specimen. A kit and a socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical-gynaecological questionnaire were provided to the participating clinics.Results. The study included 1831 women, of whom 31% Յ19 aged. The prevalence was 7.3% and was significantly associated being non Italian, having had more lifetime sexual partners and more than 1 partner in the previous six months. Conclusion.Our results are representative of general young female population of Turin. Data are comparable with those of other international studies. The high rate of infection provides information useful to plan health care interventions, like to extend the C.t. free test, not only to young women attending to STD centers but also to those one attending to family planning clinics and to promote prevention interventions to sensitize, not only youth population, on the spread of C.t. and other STD, but also family doctors and gynaecologists in order to reduce the diffusion of infections and relate complications.

prevalence was the highest in young people, with 3.6% for women and 2.4% in men aged 18-24 yo. To face this problem, several countries have developed new strategies, mixing newer technologies and home-based self-sampling test. Inspired by evaluation of those dispositives, the French National Institute of Health Prevention and Education (INPES) decided to experiment the proposition of a free home-based self-sampling to screen this infection via internet in young people 18-24 yo. This study, named Chlamyweb, aims to compare CT screening rate from this intervention with traditional information system and screening centre. Study design was a random control trial, with a 1:2 randomization. Recruitment took place on an Internet information website on sexually transmitted infections, and support by web campaign from September 3 to October 14 2012. Home-based kits were composed by uriswab 3 sponges for men and dry vaginal swabs for women (Copan diagnostics). All samples were analysed by using the fully automated cobas 4800 (Roche diagnostics). Self-sampling was proposed to 5 531 people. Out of them, 47.3% accepted, with a higher rate in women (53.0%). A total of 1616 kits provided [1002 from women (63.8%) and 614 from men (58.8%)] was return to the French National Reference Center for chlamydial infections. The global prevalence was 6.8% (8.3% in women, 4.4% in men). Sexual behaviour and sociodemographic patient's characteristics were collected and their analysis is under investigation. These preliminary results show that Internet testing reaches a population with a high prevalence of CT infection and appears to be acceptable to young people. Low PrevaLence of chLamydia TrachomaTis infecTion: facT or missed diagnosis?doi:10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0486Background Chlamydia trachomatis is reported to be the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in developed countries; this data depends on the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test employed. Even when Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are used to detect C.trachomatis infection, the occurrence of variant strains which lack the cryptic plasmid or possess deletion mutations may be responsible for negative test results, as was detected in Sweden recently. The present study was undertaken to establish the true prevalence of C.trachomatis infection among males with urethritis using not only a well tested NAAT but also Direct Fluorescent Antibody test (DFA). Methods A total of 34 male patients reporting to the STI OPD of the Lok Nayak Hospital with urethritis were included in this study. Gram staining and culture was done for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and DFA and real-time PCR using COBAS ® TaqMan ® CT Test, v2.0 to detect the presence of C.trachomatis. Results Among the 34 males, 55.9% cases were positive for N.gonorrhoeae by culture. DFA for C.trachomatis was positive in 17.6% cases, 5 out of 6 DFA positive cases were also positive for N.gonorrhoeae. PCR for C.trachomatis has so far been done in 19 cases, including 4 of the DFA positive ...