Recently, many studies have evaluated HPV vaccine safety and adverse effects. Two vaccines have been recently evaluated in randomized controlled trials: the bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18 (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) and the quadrivalent vaccine for HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 (Gardasil, Merck and Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ). We have performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials in which HPV vaccines were compared with placebo regarding safety, tolerability and adverse effects. Studies were searched up to March 2013 in the databases: Pubmed, Embase, Scielo and Cancerlit. Odds Ratios (OR) of most incident adverse effects were obtained. Twelve reports, involving 29,540 subjects, were included. In the HPV 16/18 group, the most frequently reported events related to the vaccine were pain (OR 3.29; 95% CI: 3.00-3.60), swelling (OR 3.14; 95% CI: 2.79-3.53) and redness (OR 2.41; 95% CI: 2.17-2.68). For the HPV 6/11/16/18 group the events were pain (OR 2.88; 95% CI: 2.42-3.43) and swelling (OR 2.65; 95% CI: 2.0-3.44). Concerning the HPV 16/18 vaccine, pain was the most common outcome detected. These effects can be due to a possible VLP-related inflammation process. Fatigue was the most relevant general effect observed followed by fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headache. In the HPV 6/11/16/18 group, only general symptoms, pain and swelling were observed. Pain and swelling were the most frequent. Comparing HPV 16/18 to HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccines, the former presented more adverse effects, perhaps because there are many more trials evaluating the bivalent vaccine. Other studies are needed to clarify this issue.

No abstract

Introduction: treating sexual partners of women with vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis is an issue in debate. Despite the present recommendations of the international guidelines to not to treat the asymptomatic sexual partners, this is a frequent practice between gynecologists. Objective: evaluate the influence of treating asymptomatic sexual partner of women with recurrent vulvovaginitis. Methods: databases searched: PubMed, Embase, Scielo and CINAHAL. Selection criteria: randomized clinical trials published from 1982 to 2012 were included. Studies involving pregnant women were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad scale. Data collection and analysis: Review Manager 5.1 was used for statistical analysis. Results: eight randomized clinical trials were included based on the chosen criteria: 1,088 women were enrolled. For bacterial vaginosis, the RR for cure was 1.00 (95%CI: 0.95-1.05) (p = 0.13), and for recurrence 0.84 (95%CI: 0.62-1.14) (p = 0.34). Vaginal candidiasis had a RR of 1.03 (95%CI: 0.94-1.14) (p = 0.48) for cure, and 1.02 (95%CI: 0.77-1.33 p = 0.91) for recurrence. Conclusion: treatment of asymptomatic sexual partners of women with vaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis does not affect the cure or recurrence rates and may increase the risk of side effects and unnecessary financial costs.

Introduction: Treating sexual partners of women with vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis is a discussed topic. Despite the recommendations of international guidelines, doctors are still known to treat asymptomatic partners. Objective: To evaluate the influence of asymptomatic partner treatment in the cure and recurrence of vulvovaginitis in women. Methods: The following databases were searched using Mesh terms: PubMed, Embase, SciELO and CINAHAL. The selection criteria included randomized clinical trials published from 1982 to 2012. Studies involving pregnant women were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using Jadad's scale. Review Manager 5.1 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Eight randomized clinical trials were included based on the chosen criteria: 1,088 women were enrolled. For bacterial vaginosis, the relative risk for cure was 1.00 (95%CI 0.95-1.05, p=0.13), and for recurrence 0.84 (95%CI 0.62-1.14, p=0.34). Vaginal candidiasis had a RR of 1.03 (95%CI 0.94-1.14, p=0.48) for cure, and 1.02 (95%CI 0.77-1.33, p=0.91) for recurrence. Conclusion: Treatment of asymptomatic sexual partners of women with vaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis does not affect the cure or recurrence rates and may increase the risk of side effects and unnecessary financial costs.

Background: Inability to diagnose vulvovaginal infections is a growing concern. Specialist knowledge of how to prepare and assess wet mount slides for the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis is the exception.